A new book has been published – That First Book: Key Publications in Latvian and Estonian, 1525–1918

On May 23 at 17:00, the book launch of That First Book: Key Publications in Latvian and Estonian, 1525–1918 will take place at the “World of Rarities” space on the 5th floor of the National Library of Latvia.

This collection of essays, produced in cooperation between the National Library of Latvia and the National Library of Estonia, is published simultaneously in Latvia (in Latvian) and Estonia (in Estonian). It highlights the most significant milestones in Latvian and Estonian book history from 1525 to 1918, presenting 25 thematic chapters, each explored through the lens of both nations. The authors are Latvian and Estonian scholars writing about parallel developments in each country.

The book is written in a popular scholarly style, making it accessible to a broad audience interested in history, book culture, and Latvian–Estonian cultural parallels.

The volume’s editors are Toms Ķencis, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia (UL ILFA), and Piret Lotman, Researcher at the National Library of Estonia.

Each chapter is authored by experts in their respective fields in both Latvia and Estonia. Among the Latvian contributors are Māra Grudule, Dace Bula, and Benedikts Kalnačs, all researchers at UL ILFA.

The book will be available for purchase from the day of the launch at the National Library of Latvia's bookstore “Draugu telpa” and online at eveikals.lnb.lv.