CELEBRATION OF 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF LATVIAN BOOK PUBLISHING TO CONCLUDE WITH EXHIBITION “FREEDOM BEGINS WITH A BOOK”

From 5 December 2025 to 30 December 2026, the concluding exhibition of the “500 Years of Latvian Books” series of events, titled “Freedom Begins with a Book”, will be on display on Level 5 of the National Library of Latvia (NLL). The exhibition focuses on the history of Latvian book publishing and the role of the printed word in the development of society, highlighting the power of print to leave a lasting impact on readers, unite communities, and shape national self-awareness. Admission is free of charge.

The exhibition covers the period from 1525 to 1918, revealing how reading practices and their significance have evolved over the centuries – from a religious ritual and spiritual experience to education, practical everyday advice, emotional and personal reading experiences, and ultimately to the strengthening of national self-awareness and the idea of freedom. It demonstrates the power of reading in Latvian culture and shows how changes in reading practices reflect broader transformations in society.

The narrative of “Freedom Begins with a Book” is complemented by contemporary interpretations, created in collaboration with artists and experts from other fields. The text broadens the context of the selected historical material and emphasises the ongoing relevance of the heritage of reading and book culture. The diversity of book heritage is revealed through the NLL collection, highlighting publications that not only reshaped Latvian readers’ perspectives but also contributed to nation-building.

The exhibition’s creative team includes Toms Ķencis, leading researcher at the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia; Pauls Daija, Head of Research at the National Library of Latvia; curator Anete Skuja; NLL designer Dārta Hofmane; poet Ivars Šteinbergs; photographer Andrejs Strokins; food culture researcher Astra Spalvēna; chef Ēriks Dreibants; artist Liene Pavlovska; and photographer Alnis Stakle.

The exhibition was developed with the support of the State Culture Capital Foundation, Riga City Municipality, and the National Library of Latvia Foundation.