Issues of the scholarly journal “Letonica” on literary culture in the era of stagnation have been published

The two most recent thematic issues—Nos. 51 and 52—of the interdisciplinary scholarly journal “Letonica”, published by the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia (UL ILFA), have appeared in English under the joint theme “Shifting Literary Culture since Stagnation in the Brezhnev Era: The Baltic Paradigm.” They bring together articles by literary scholars from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, based on papers presented at the 13th International Conference of Baltic Literary Scholars organized by UL ILFA.

The journal issues are devoted to processes in literature, music, theatre, opera, ballet, and cinema during the period of stagnation (1964–1985)—an era with its own unique rules and place in the history of the Soviet period—and present new research on Baltic literature and book culture published in an internationally recognized and cited interdisciplinary scholarly journal, thereby fostering discussion among researchers and professionals in the field on the topics addressed in the articles. With the publication of these issues, the study of major events in Baltic literature and book culture and of the creative, social, and political activities of outstanding personalities continues, deepening knowledge of the work and mutual contacts of Baltic writers and cultural figures during the Soviet occupation, as well as encouraging the interest of literary scholars of different generations and professionals from other research fields in unexplored or lesser-known aspects of Baltic literature and book culture.

The thematic issues comprise 20 scholarly articles and introductory essays by guest editors Eva Eglāja-Kristone and Jānis Oga. In total, the journal features 8 Lithuanian, 2 Estonian, and 14 Latvian researchers from 11 institutions: Aušra Jurgutienė, Gintarė Bernotienė, Donata Mitaitė, Akvilė Rėklaitytė, Aušra Martišiūtė-Linartienė, Solveiga Daugirdaitė, Saulius Vasiliauskas, and Viktorija Jonkutė (Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore); Heili Einasto and Johanna Ross (Tallinn University); Māra Grudule, Benedikts Kalnačs, and Edīte Tišheizere (Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia); Dāvis Eņģelis (Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music / UL ILFA); Sigita Kušnere (Faculty of Humanities, University of Latvia); Sandra Cīrule (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Latvia); Zanda Gūtmane and Sigita Ignatjeva (University of Liepāja); Deniss Hanovs (Art Academy of Latvia); Stella Pelše (Institute of Art History, Art Academy of Latvia); Mārtiņš Mintaurs (National Library of Latvia); and Kaspars Zalāns (University of Greifswald).

Literary editors: Patrick Burr and Dace Strelēvica-Ošiņa. Design: Tatjana Raičiņeca.

The journal issues were published with the support of the University of Latvia and the State Culture Capital Foundation of Latvia.