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Latvian writer Nora Ikstena was an Author of the Day at the London Book Fair


stories experiencing success. The growth in historical fiction was led by a series called We. Latvia. The 20th Century. Spearheaded by writer Gundega Repše, each title explores a different decade in Latvian history and so far five out of 13 books have been published, including Kristīne Ulberga’s novel Tur (There), about Latvia’s hippie movement in the 1970s, and Māris Bērziņš’ Svina Garša (The Taste of Lead), which looks at Latvia’s role in the Holocaust. The Latvian book industry is also particularly


strong on children’s books and illustration. Luīze Pastore’s Maskačkas Stāsts (The Tale of Maskatcha District) was recently selected by the Guardian as one of the best children’s books of 2018. Published in the UK by Firefly Press as Dog Town, the book is illustrated by Pētersons and translated by Žanete Vēvere Pasqualini. The trade has seen much success with its Bicki-Buck Books project, which is a series of pocket-sized picture books for children, originally published in Latvia by Liels un Mazs. Each Bicki-Buck Book features a classic Latvian children’s poem, newly translated into English, with illustrations from some of Latvia’s leading illustrators. The English- language publication of the Bicki-Buck Books, by Birmingham-based publisher The Emma Press, was supported by a grant from the Latvian Writers’ Union. Last year, Oxford’s Story Museum ran an exhibition of illustrations from the series.


Small but powerful Although the industry is made up of 350–400 publishing companies, only 30–40 publish more than five titles a year. The largest publisher, Zvaigzne ABC, accounts for 25% of titles and its turnover (€10m–€15m a year) is bigger than the six or seven next-biggest publishers combined. Other firms include Ikstena’s publisher Dienas Grāmata; the Latvian division of children’s publisher Egmont, Egmont Latvija; and Jāņa Rozes Apgāds, the publishing division of book retailer Jāņa Rozes. In 2016, three institutions—the International


Writers’ and Translators’ House, the Latvian Writers’ Union and the Latvian Publishers’


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Luīze Pastore’s Dog


Town has been trans- lated and published to acclaim in the UK by Firefly Press


Māris Bērziņš’ Svina Garša (The


Taste of Lead) looks at Latvia’s role in the Holocaust


Association—partnered to establish the Latvian Literature platform to promote the recognition of Latvian literature and its distribution abroad. What better way to do this than participate in key trade event London Book Fair? As a Market Focus country at LBF 2018, Latvia was represented by four authors—Ikstena (Author of the Day), Kārlis Vērdiņš, Inga Ābele and Luīze Pastore—and publish- ing houses Liels un mazs, Pētergailis, Jāņa Rozes Apgāds, Madris and Avantis Publishing, International Exhibition Company BT1; printing businesses WTM Baltic and Veiters Korporācija, as well as the Latvian Publishers’ Association. The Latvian delega- tion was not confined to the halls of Olympia, however, and several Latvian literature-related events were held across London. The week saw a performance from indie band Sigma (whose lyrics incorporate Latvian poetry), as well as a screening of Ivars Tontegode’s film about Latvian poet Knuts Skujenieks, “Knutification”. Due to the Latvia’s participation at LBF and the financial support allocated by the govern- ment, more than 40 new translations of Latvian works into English have been published since 2017, including Skaļā Klase by Ieva Samauska (published as The Noisy Classroom by The Emma Press), Parādības by Eduards Aivars (published as Phenomena by Parthian Books) and 18 by Pauls Bankovskis (published by Vagabond Voices). The Latvian Literature platform is still continuing with its mission of disseminating the work of its talented writers and illustrators internationally, so the continuation of the I Am Introvert campaign, now touring Europe, combined with a new wave of cross-Europe collaboration, will no doubt see Latvian litera- ture continue to flourish over the coming years.


Publishing is considered the biggest creative industry in Latvia by turnover and number of employees


Photography: Toms Harjo


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