“Realists”: in the past and today

On 13 November, a discussion was held in the 5th-floor exhibition hall of the National Library of Latvia as part of the thematic exhibition “Realists”. The aim of the event was to highlight the importance of realism in literature — both as a reflection of significant developments and as an expression of an author's subjective perspective.

The discussion was moderated by Zita Kārkla, leading researcher at the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia, and featured writers Andra Manfelde and Daina Tabūna. During the conversation, the participants shared their views on realism from the standpoint of their personal worldviews and creative practices, intertwining with the exhibition’s chosen focus — the perspective of women.

As previously reported, from 4 September to 22 November 2025, the thematic exhibition “Realists” can be viewed in the “World of Rarities” exhibition hall of the National Library of Latvia. The exhibition draws attention to early Latvian women writers and their connection with realist literature, highlighting authors such as Marija Medinska-Valdemāre, Minna Freimane, Hermīne Zālīte, Tirzmaliete, and others. The aim of the exhibition is to foreground the presence of women’s perspectives in literature, which have been less acknowledged within the predominantly male viewpoint of the 19th and 20th centuries.

The discussion was held within the framework of the project “Recovering Latvian Realism: Literary Innovation as a Search for Identity” (lzp-2024/1-0341), implemented by the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia, and was financially supported by the State Culture Capital Foundation.