On 1 and 2 February, the Language Festival "Avots" will take place at the Ģertrūdes ielas teātris (Ģertrūdes Street Theatre) in Riga, in the Avoti neighbourhood. The Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Latvia is supporting the international festival organized by the Centre of Excellence in Language Acquisition and Teaching “Valodu māja”, which will bring together linguists, writers and language enthusiasts from Latvia and beyond – from Finland, Norway, Sweden and Estonia.
PROGRAMME: readings, talks, workshops and a concert. The programme includes also readings on various language-related topics, encouraging reflection on the importance of language in everyday life and in historical perspective. The aim of the festival is to arise a popular-scientific conversation about contemporary topics that shape and influence the way people think and communicate, with language being the primary form of interaction.
DAY ONE: Saturday 1 February. Theme of the day – individual and society.
In the evening, the first Language Prize will be awarded and the world premiere of the "Varieties Suite" by composer Edgars Cīrulis will take place.
DAY TWO: Sunday 2 February. Thee of the day – less spoken languages and related challenges in Northern Europe. O the agenda: Latgalian and Livonian in Latvia, Veravian in Estonia, Swedish in Finland and New Norwegian language (Nynorsk) in Norway.
The day will conclude with the launch of the digital exhibition “Linguapolis” and the launch of a book translation by Norwegian Nobel Laureate Jun Fosse.
Entrance: FREE.
Cooperation partners and supporters: Embassy of Sweden in Latvia, Latvian Language Agency, Livonian Institute of the University of Latvia, Norwegian Museum of Written Culture, Swedish Assembly of Finland.
Photography and filming will take place during the event. The footage will be used to cover the event and to promote the event on the organiser’s website and social media. If you do not wish to have photographs of you published, please contact the organiser at www.valodumaja.lv
