New Approaches to the History of Latvian Folkloristics

Funded by: Latvian Council of Science

Project No: lzp-2020/2-0315

Project leader: Dr. phil. Toms Ķencis, and Dr. philol. Rita Grīnvalde

Project implementation: 01.12.2020.–30.12.2021.

Project funding: EUR 100 391

Project team: Dr. philol. Ieva Garda-Rozenberga, Dr. philol. Aigars Lielbārdis, Dr. philol. h. c. Māra Vīksna, Mg. art. Digne Ūdre, Bc. philol. Arta Krūze, Mg. philol. Ilze Ļaksa-Timinska.

This is a disciplinary history research project of Latvian folkloristics in the second half of the 20th century. Its nexus is the central institution of the field: the Archives of Latvian Folklore, its collections, research and public activities, and personalities. The project seeks new, more efficient and competitive approaches in the history of knowledge production in the field of folklore. As such it is designed to

1) adapt and advance new, internationally competitive theory (Baltic Postcolonialism);

2) devise a novel methodology for further in-depth research;

3) represent multimedia archival material in widely accessible, contemporary ways;

4) obtain new data, and

5) develop efficient approaches for disseminating knowledge on the post-war, post-socialist history of folkloristics.

The project will employ three researchers and two students. Among other outcomes, it will produce scholarly articles, a special journal volume, digital records and data representations. The critical disciplinary history of this period is crucial for the development of the discipline in Latvia regarding both contemporary research and education. This project will contribute to a more detailed understanding of the corresponding period and cultural milieu, and by unfolding historical sources and obtaining new data, it aims to become a springboard for other investigations of both the same discipline and other areas of human and social sciences.