Klausītava

Merkel's political formula

A lecture and discussion on the Garlieb Merkel’s political ideas took place at the National Library of Latvia on 27 Feburary 2026. The event opened with a lecture by Estonian historian Kadi Kähär-Peterson. In her talk, she will discussed her dissertation on Garlieb Merkel, defended in 2025. It was followed by a discussion between her and Latvian political scientist Ivars Ijabs. The event was be moderated by Pauls Daija, Head of Research at the National Library of Latvia. Kadi Kähär-Peterson’s PhD dissertation “Garlieb Merkel’s Political Thought: A Baltic Perspective on Enlightenment” (defended at the University of Tartu in 2025) analysed Merkel’s political visions and philosophical ideas in the context of their creation to better understand his opinions and intentions.

The researcher’s participation in the NLL event is supported by DAAD GIP (German Studies Partnership), the Potsdam–Tartu–Riga project “Shared Cultural Heritage in Germany and the Baltic States”, the Estonian Research Council grant KUM-TA58 “The Art of Survival of Baltic Germans – Childhood Experience and the Re-Experience of ‘Heimat’”, and grant PRG3027 “The Nation State as a Transnational Idea: Perspectives of Great Powers and Small Nations in the Baltic Region”. The event is organised within the project The Book and Society in Latvia: The European Dimension and Cultural Change (LZP-2023/1-0263). The project is financially supported by the Latvian Council of Science under the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia.

LNB “Zinātnisko rakstu” 14. (XXXIV) sējuma “Izdevējdarbība un nācija” un izdevuma “Ansis Gulbis rakstos, vēstulēs un atmiņās” atvēršanas pasākums.

2026. gada 12. februārī plkst. 16.00 Latvijas Nacionālās bibliotēkas (LNB) “Retumu pasaules” telpā (5. stāvā) norisinājās izdevuma “Ansis Gulbis rakstos, vēstulēs un atmiņās”, kā arī LNB “Zinātnisko rakstu” 14. (XXXIV) sējuma “Izdevējdarbība un nācija” atklāšanas pasākums.

Abi izdevumi iznākuši ciklā “Latviešu grāmatai 500” un piedāvā gan jaunus, līdz šim nepublicētus avotus, gan zinātniskus pētījumus, kas izceļ grāmatniecības nozīmi nācijas veidošanā un attīstībā. Izdevumu atvēršanas pasākumā sarunā par izdevējdarbības nozīmi Latvijā 20. gadsimtā un šodien tikās LNB vadošie pētnieki Mārtiņš Mintaurs un Viesturs Zanders, Latvijas Universitātes profesore, vēsturniece Vita Zelče un Latvijas Grāmatizdevēju asociācijas valdes priekšsēdētāja Renāte Punka.

 

Avotu izdevums “Ansis Gulbis rakstos, vēstulēs un atmiņās”, ko sagatavojis LNB vadošais pētnieks Viesturs Zanders, piedāvā padziļinātu ieskatu Anša Gulbja (1873–1936) darbībā un tapšanā par vienu no ietekmīgākajiem latviešu grāmatniecības procesu veidotājiem 20. gadsimta pirmajā pusē. Ja līdz šim Gulbja izdevējdarbība galvenokārt analizēta, balstoties publicētos avotos, tad šis izdevums pievēršas bibliotēku, muzeju un arhīvu krātuvēs glabātiem, līdz šim nepublicētiem vēstures materiāliem. Lielākā daļa izdevumā iekļauto Anša Gulbja vēstuļu tekstu ir pirmpublicējumi un līdz šim plašākai auditorijai nezināmi. Rakstu, vēstuļu un Gulbim veltīto atmiņu komentāri ietver arī jaunatklājumus par atsevišķu personību un organizāciju mazāk zināmām darbības šķautnēm. Izdevuma zinātniskās recenzentes ir filoloģijas doktores Gundega Grīnuma un Inguna Daukste-Silasproģe, literārā redaktore Ilze Jansone, dizainu veidojusi Ilze Kalnbērziņa-Prā, izdevums iespiests Jelgavas tipogrāfijā.

 

Savukārt LNB “Zinātnisko rakstu” 14. (XXXIV)  sējums “Izdevējdarbība un nācija” iepazīstina ar grāmatniecības procesiem nacionālo valstu tapšanas un sabiedrības modernizācijas laikmetā, atklājot šo procesu ietekmi Baltijas jūras reģionā dzīvojošo tautu kultūras attīstībā laikā no 19. gadsimta beigām līdz 20. gadsimta vidum. Lielākā daļa izdevuma rakstu balstīti referātos, kas tika nolasīti LNB starptautiskajā zinātniskajā konferencē  “Izdevējdarbība un nācija. Ansim Gulbim – 150” (2023). Kopā ar rakstiem, kas veltīti dažādiem grāmatniecības un izdevējdarbības aspektiem, šajā sējumā publicēti jauni pētījumi par latviešu valodas terminoloģijas un etnogrāfijas tēmām, kā arī muzikāliju publicēšanas vēsturi Latvijā. 16 izdevuma rakstu autori pārstāv dažādas valstis un zinātnes institūcijas: Latvijas Nacionālo bibliotēku, Latvijas Mākslas akadēmiju, Latvijas Universitāti, Latvijas Kultūras akadēmiju, Rīgas Tehniskās Universitātes Liepājas akadēmiju, žurnālu “Jurista Vārds”, kā arī Martina Mažvīda Lietuvas Nacionālo bibliotēku, Igaunijas Nacionālo bibliotēku un Zviedrijas Nacionālo bibliotēku. Sējuma atbildīgais redaktors ir Mārtiņš Mintaurs. Latviešu un angļu valodā publicēto rakstu autori: Kristiāna Ābele, Dagnija Baltiņa un Māris Baltiņš, Dina Gailīte, Veronika Girininkaite un Loreta Vincloviene, Silvija Grosa, Andreass Hedbergs, Anita Helviga, Sandra Leikarte, Lilija Limane, Pireta Lotmana, Mārtiņš Mintaurs, Kristina Papule, Pireta Pergmā, Ieva Pīgozne, Inese Sirica, Viesturs Zanders. Izdevuma literārā redaktore ir Sigita Kušnere, dizainu veidojusi Una Grants, izdevums iespiests PNB Print.

Izdevumus no atvēršanas dienas varēs iegādāties LNB veikalā “Draugu telpa” un eveikals.lnb.lv.

Abi izdevumi izdoti ciklā “Latviešu grāmatai 500”, kas tika realizēts ar Latvijas Republikas Kultūras ministrijas atbalstu.

LNB “Zinātnisko rakstu” 14. sējums sagatavots un iespiests Latvijas Zinātnes padomes Fundamentālo un lietišķo pētījumu programmas projektā “Grāmata un sabiedrība Latvijā: Eiropas dimensija un kultūras pārmaiņas” (LZP-2023/1-0263).

Čehu profesora, PhD, literatūrzinātnieka Tomāša Kubīčeka (Tomáš Kubíček) lekcija “Milana Kunderas bibliotēka kā avots rakstnieka darba estētiskajai koncepcijai un tā rekonstrukcijai”

Katra personīgā bibliotēka ir radošas domas liecība, kas pielāgo tās saturu. Tāpēc nav pārsteiguma, ka arī čehu rakstnieka Milana Kunderas (Milan Kundera, 1929–2023) personīgā bibliotēka ietver sevī kopumu, kas skaidri definē viņa estētisko orientāciju un skatu uz literatūras vēsturi vai literatūras norisēm. Milana Kunderas bibliotēka ir arī unikāls avots viņa darba ģenēzes un pārdomu par literārā darba estētiku un poētiku izpratnei. Lielais komentāru, ierakstu, piezīmju daudzums tekstam, kuru rakstnieks tobrīd lasa (iespējams, atkārtoti), kā arī tekstam, kuru tobrīd raksta pats, mums dod iespēju ielūkoties Kunderas uzskatos par romāna uzbūvi un tā funkciju. Mēs varam iekļūt viņa domu laboratorijā un pietuvināties viņa darba estētikai no negaidītas puses – no personīgās bibliotēkas intīmā skatpunkta. Un tieši to centās parādīt Tomāšs Kubīčeks savā lekcijā.

Discussion. Transformations of ideas. Texts as different forms of art and communication

On 7–8 December, 2023, an international scientific conference "Publishing and the Nation" was held at the National Library of Latvia. The conference was part of the "Latvian Book 500" series and was dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the prominent publisher Ansis Gulbis (1873–1936). It stimulated discussion on book publishing as a cornerstone of a nation's culture, focusing on the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the establishment of professional book publishing in the Baltic Sea region nations began.
www.gramatai500.lv/en/post/confere…-and-the-nation
Discussion moderated by Gustavs Strenga, Senior Researcher, NLL
Participants:
Solvita Krese, Director of the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art
Viestarts Gailītis, Director of the “Skaņu mežs” music festival
Ieva Morica, Director of the Open Society Foundation DOTS
The conference was organised by the National Library of Latvia within the framework of the series of events "Latvian Book 500" with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and the State Culture Capital Foundation.

Discussion. 100 years later. New challenges and tasks

On 7–8 December, 2023, an international scientific conference "Publishing and the Nation" was held at the National Library of Latvia. The conference was part of the "Latvian Book 500" series and was dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the prominent publisher Ansis Gulbis (1873–1936). It stimulated discussion on book publishing as a cornerstone of a nation's culture, focusing on the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the establishment of professional book publishing in the Baltic Sea region nations began.
www.gramatai500.lv/en/post/confere…-and-the-nation
Discussion moderated by Dagnija Baltiņa, Director, Special Collections Department, National Library of Latvia
Participants:
Vija Kilbloka, Director of “Zvaigzne ABC” publishing house
Alīse Nīgale, Co-owner and Head of children’s book publishing house “Liels un mazs”
Jayde Will, Literary Agent of the platform “Latvian Literature”

The conference was organised by the National Library of Latvia within the framework of the series of events "Latvian Book 500" with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and the State Culture Capital Foundation.

The early 20th century reader. To reach, to follow or to guide?

On 7–8 December, 2023, an international scientific conference "Publishing and the Nation" was held at the National Library of Latvia. The conference was part of the "Latvian Book 500" series and was dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the prominent publisher Ansis Gulbis (1873–1936). It stimulated discussion on book publishing as a cornerstone of a nation's culture, focusing on the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the establishment of professional book publishing in the Baltic Sea region nations began.
www.gramatai500.lv/en/post/confere…-and-the-nation
Kristiāna Ābele. No longer a stranger in the realm of art: The contribution of “Mājas Viesa Mēnešraksts” to understanding visual arts in Latvian society. 1895–1905
Signe Raudive. The role of book advertisements in creating the public image of the publisher and the engaging of readers (1918–1940)
Piret Pärgma. A book for every reader. Publishing house Loodus and its activities in 1920–1940
Kārlis Vērdiņš. French cosmopolitan bestsellers and Latvian book publishing during a period of parliamentary democracy
Discussion. Engaging an audience in the early 20th century. How the publishing industry follows societal trends and opportunities to shape these trends
Session and discussion moderated by Eva Eglāja-Kristsone
The conference was organised by the National Library of Latvia within the framework of the series of events "Latvian Book 500" with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and the State Culture Capital Foundation.

Big ideas, big projects, big men? Translation, encyclopaedias and patronage

On 7–8 December, 2023, an international scientific conference "Publishing and the Nation" was held at the National Library of Latvia. The conference was part of the "Latvian Book 500" series and was dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the prominent publisher Ansis Gulbis (1873–1936). It stimulated discussion on book publishing as a cornerstone of a nation's culture, focusing on the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the establishment of professional book publishing in the Baltic Sea region nations began.
www.gramatai500.lv/en/post/confere…-and-the-nation
Discussion moderated by Gustavs Strenga, Senior Researcher, NLL
Participants:
Eva Eglāja-Kristsone, Director of the Institute of the Latvian Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia
Toms Ķikuts, Deputy Director for Research, Latvian National History Museum
Benedikts Kalnačs Senior Researcher, Institute of Latvian Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia

The conference was organised by the National Library of Latvia within the framework of the series of events "Latvian Book 500" with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and the State Culture Capital Foundation.

Creating and reinventing a nation: experience from other countries

On 7–8 December, 2023, an international scientific conference "Publishing and the Nation" was held at the National Library of Latvia. The conference was part of the "Latvian Book 500" series and was dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the prominent publisher Ansis Gulbis (1873–1936). It stimulated discussion on book publishing as a cornerstone of a nation's culture, focusing on the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the establishment of professional book publishing in the Baltic Sea region nations began.
www.gramatai500.lv/en/post/confere…-and-the-nation
Piret Lotman. Estonian perception of history in the final years of Tsarist Russia: writers and publishers of historical books

Melinda Simon. Hungarian copyright protection in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

Loreta Vinclovienė and Veronika Girininkaitė. The work at the bookshop owned by Marija and Jurgis Šlapelis in Vilnius in 1906–1949

Andreas Hedberg. Re-inventing the nation: patriotism and book design in Sweden at the turn of the century 1900

Session moderated by Mārtiņš Mintaurs

The conference was organised by the National Library of Latvia within the framework of the series of events "Latvian Book 500" with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and the State Culture Capital Foundation.

Ansis Gulbis: publishing magnate

On 7–8 December, 2023, an international scientific conference "Publishing and the Nation" was held at the National Library of Latvia. The conference was part of the "Latvian Book 500" series and was dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the prominent publisher Ansis Gulbis (1873–1936). It stimulated discussion on book publishing as a cornerstone of a nation's culture, focusing on the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the establishment of professional book publishing in the Baltic Sea region nations began.
www.gramatai500.lv/en/post/confere…-and-the-nation
Viesturs Zanders. Ansis Gulbis and his importance in the development of Latvian publishing
Kristina Papule. Ansis Gulbis as a newspaper and magazine publisher
Mārtiņš Mintaurs. Ansis Gulbis’ publications in political theory and the history of ideas in the late 19th and early 20th century
Session moderated by Dagnija Baltiņa
The conference was organised by the National Library of Latvia within the framework of the series of events "Latvian Book 500" with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and the State Culture Capital Foundation.

Plenary session. Small nations – big issues

On 7–8 December, 2023, an international scientific conference "Publishing and the Nation" was held at the National Library of Latvia. The conference was part of the "Latvian Book 500" series and was dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the prominent publisher Ansis Gulbis (1873–1936). It stimulated discussion on book publishing as a cornerstone of a nation's culture, focusing on the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the establishment of professional book publishing in the Baltic Sea region nations began.
www.gramatai500.lv/en/post/confere…-and-the-nation
Speakers:
Meelis Friedenthal, Writer and researcher in the history of ideas, University of Tartu, Estonia
Pēteris Bankovskis, Art historian, journalist, Latvia
Moderator:
Dagnija Baltiņa, Director of the Special Collections Department, National Library of Latvia
The conference was organised by the National Library of Latvia within the framework of the series of events "Latvian Book 500" with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and the State Culture Capital Foundation.