Folklore Revival in Latvia: Resources, Ideologies and Practices

Funded by: Latvian Council of Science

Project No: lzp-2021/1-0243

Project leader: Dr. art. Ieva Weaver; ieva.vivere [at] lulfmi.lv

Project implementation: 2022–2024

Project team: Ieva Vīvere, Valdis Muktupāvels, Rita Grīnvalde, Toms Ķencis, Aigars Lielbārdis, Jānis Daugavietis, Digne Ūdre, Justīne Jaudzema, Ilga Vālodze Ābele, Kate Slišāne, Marta Anna Grunte, Liene Skrebinska, Līva Šķestere, Kristīne Lapuha, Arta Krūze, Dārta Drava, Vivita Mackus, Ilaria Da Rin Bettina.

The Singing Revolution of the 1980s was a Baltic social movement that advanced remarkable political change. A significant component of this movement was the folklore revival that became a strong expression of civic participation as well as a powerful source of alternative thinking, lifestyle and creativity. This research project will extend the perspective of humanities on the research of social movements by implementing a community-engaging, interdisciplinary, methodologically diverse study of the resources, ideologies, and practices of folklore revival in Latvia. As a result, an extensive dataset will be created and used to address conceptual issues like networking and institutionalization in a social movement, the conformism-resistance duality in non-democratic contexts, the interaction of lay and expert knowledge, the authenticity of representations and transformations of folklore. The established methodology of folkloristics and ethnomusicology will be extended using social sciences and digital humanities theories and tools. A diverse team of researchers will produce at least 8 high-level articles and 10 conference papers as well as implement a comprehensive program of public outreach. In addition, the project will create a new field of expertise at the Applicant Institution, start new collaborations between Latvian research and cultural heritage management institutions, and advance knowledge and education on a recent significant period of Latvian history.

Last time modified: 25.09.2024 13:37:41