Researchers at the conference in Stockholm
On 4–5 December 2025 in Stockholm, Sweden, the Centre for Baltic and East European Studies at Södertörn University held its 11th annual conference “Knowing Eastern Europe and the Baltics”, which was attended by representatives of the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia, presenting the following papers:
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Ieva Melgalve – “Palimpsestic Knowledge: Science and Mythology in the Case of Laimdota Malle”
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Rita Zara – “Knowing the Other Side: Latvian Folklore Studies Divided by the Iron Curtain”
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Digne Ūdre-Lielbārde – “Folklore Studies in Exile: Baltic Scholarship and the AABS During the Cold War Era”
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Gatis Ozoliņš – “Unfinished Past: Reflecting on the City”
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Ilga Vālodze Ābelkina – “Latvian Folklore Ensembles and Their Initiatives Against Russia's War in Ukraine”
In addition to the conference activities, some researchers also visited museums and archives in Stockholm, as well as the Department of Baltic Studies at Stockholm University and other places of significance to Latvians in Sweden.
Ieva Melgalve’s participation in the conference was supported by the Latvian Council of Science project “Contemporary Art and Folklore: Unlocking the Afterlife” (Izp-2024/1-0479). The participation of Rita Zara and Digne Ūdre-Lielbārde was supported by the Latvian Council of Science project “Latvian Folklore Studies in Exile” (lzp-2024/1-0522). Rita Zara’s archival research is funded by the Latvian Council of Science project “Latvian Folklore Studies in Exile” (lzp-2024/1-0522) and a scholarship from the Liene Neilande Foundation (Stockholm University). Ilga Vālodze Ābelkina’s research is funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility-supported project “Internal and External Consolidation of the University of Latvia” (No. 5.2.1.1.i.0/2/24/I/CFLA/007).