Viesturs Zanders delivers a lecture on folklore publications at the University of Warsaw

On 3 November, Viesturs Zanders, Leading Visiting Researcher at the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia, visited the Department of Baltic Studies at the Faculty of Polish Studies of the University of Warsaw, where he delivered a guest lecture entitled “Latvian Folklore Publications Outside Latvia (1945–1991)” to students and academic staff. The lecture introduced the audience to the main genres of Latvian folklore and the most significant Latvian folklore publications issued before the Second World War.

Publications of folklore texts and scholarly studies devoted to them were examined in the context of Latvian book history. Folklore publications issued in various countries of Latvian exile during the 1940s–1980s continued, as far as circumstances allowed, the publishing traditions established in this field. As in earlier periods of Latvian book history, private initiative played a dominant role in the publication of folklore among Latvian exile communities after the Second World War.

The lecture provided an overview of Latvian folklore publications issued outside Latvia, with particular attention to the 12-volume edition of Latvian folk songs published by the Imanta publishing house (1952–1956). It outlined the range of authors (compilers) and publishers involved, the motivations behind individual publications, and their potential readership and buyers. The lecture also highlighted connections between folklore publications issued in Soviet-occupied Latvia and those published abroad.

The guest lecture was held as part of the Latvian Council of Science-funded project “Latvian Folkloristics in Exile” (lzp-2024/1-0522).

Special thanks to Marta Wiślicka for her organisational work!

Photo: Marta Wiślicka