At the seminar “Exchange of Ideas. No. 5. Introduction to Narratology: Pedagogical Notes”, UL ILFA researcher Jānis Ozoliņš will give a presentation

On Wednesday, September 25, at 15:00, the Archives of Latvian Folklore, Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art, University of Latvia (Latvian National Library, Mūkusalas iela 3) will host the UL ILFA seminar Exchange of Ideas No. 5. Introduction to Narratology: Pedagogical Notes as part of the project Latvia’s Cultural Ecosystem as a Resource for National Resilience and Sustainability / CERS. The seminar will feature a presentation and discussion led by UL ILFA researcher Jānis Ozoliņš.

Post-structuralism’s extensive critique of science and poetics has not only brought new theories into narrative studies but also encouraged their hybridization. This shift in focus marks a significant reorientation of scholarly interests in narratology — replacing a systemic view of literary functions with an emphasis on contexts, the relationship between text and reader, and ways in which “the text leads to knowledge of what is probable and possible.” The current situation in narratology is best captured by the term’s plural form — narratologies. Most new approaches still lack practical models for text analysis, often stressing that such models are not their aim. This makes the researcher’s chosen perspective crucial in synthesizing different approaches for their own goals.

Within this Exchange of Ideas, questions to be explored include: How can we compactly encompass narratology’s legacy? What is its current state — has its institutionalization over the last 30 years allowed it to develop and offer new insights? Are Latvian researchers applying locally adapted concepts? And finally — how can this knowledge be learned in Latvia?

Jānis Ozoliņš, Ph.D. is a researcher at the UL Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art and a lecturer at the Art Academy of Latvia. He is the editor or co-author of three scholarly volumes and the author of thirty academic articles. His research interests include the historical development of narrative theories, representations of masculinities and queerness in Soviet-era art and cinema, and the study of the archives of Gunārs Piešs and the literary legacy of Andra Neiburga. He is currently working on two monographs — one on narratology and one on the prose of Regīna Ezera. He also composes music, performs as a pianist, and has released three solo albums and five recordings with the group Sigma.

The project Latvia’s Cultural Ecosystem as a Resource for National Resilience and Sustainability / CERS (No. VPP-MM-LKRVA-2023/1-0001) is funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia under the State Research Programme Latvian Culture – a Resource for the Development of the State (2023–2026) and administered by the Latvian Council of Science.

Project partners: Latvian Academy of Culture (LKA), Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music (JVLMA), Art Academy of Latvia (LMA), National Library of Latvia (LNB), and the UL Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art (UL ILFA).