Latvian Book Fair 2023 approaching fast!

On 3–5 March, book readers will gather at the Ķīpsala International Exhibition Centre for their favourite book festival—Latvian Book Fair 2023—to meet writers, enjoy readings by authors, take part in book launch events, discover new books, exchange books, and buy them at special prices.

Latvian Book Fair 2023 will bring together Latvia’s biggest publishers: Jānis Roze, Jumava, Pētergailis, Latvijas Mediji, Madris, Avots, MicRec, Zinātne, Aminori, Dienas Grāmata, ‘Liels un mazs’, Kontinents, SolVita, University of Latvia Press, Jāņa Sēta map retailer, and others. The publishers have not only prepared presentations of their new products, but will also make it possible for guests to meet popular authors.

Over its three days, Latvian Book Fair 2023 will offer a variety of cultural events, as the Main Stage will be the place to enjoy author readings, book unveilings, discussions on current topics, and get long sought after autographs. Come and immerse yourself in the world of books!

Serious discussions to book launches
On 3 March, at 14:00, Anna Žīgure, author of the book ‘Viņi – atkal ceļā’ (‘They: on the Road Again’), and Evija Veide, head of the Latvijas Mediji publishing house, will hold a discussion on the topic of refugees in Latvian history. At 15:00 there will be a discussion about ‘MIRDADA grāmata’ (‘The Book of MIRDADA’), a classic of modern spiritual literature, with its translator Ilze Pavasare. What is the role of literature in the everyday life of people in Kurzeme? Is it ambition, tradition, or the human factor? — This question will be answered by prominent individuals from Kurzeme: Jana Egle, Gunita Lagzdiņa, Liene Gūtmane, Linda Zulmane, Guntis Tālers, Ingrīda Zaķe, Guna Roze, Inta Svaža, Ieva Samauska, and others. The first day of the fair will also offer the launch of a book by the Lithuanian writer Vidas Morkūnas, ‘Ceļinieku stacijas’ (‘Stations for Travellers’), together with the author, translator Dace Meiere, and publicist Kristīne Ilziņa, at 17:00.

Presentations of new releases to discussions
On 4 March, at 11:00, there will be the launch of volumes III and IV of ‘20. gadsimta Latvijas vēsture’ (‘History of 20th-Century Latvia’), with Daina Bleiere, who compiled both the volumes. The release of the book ‘Šis ir mākslas darbs’ (‘This is a Work of Art’) will takes place at 13:00, and the unveiling of the children’s book related to the history of Ukraine ‘Sapņu spalva’ (‘Feather of Dreams’), at 14:00. Also on Saturday, there will be presentations of the book ‘Mums vajadzētu šķirties’ (‘We Should Break Up’) and the ‘NESTĀSTI’ (‘UNSTORIES’) collection of poetry. A meeting with the writer Zane Nuts will take place at 15:00, as part of the discussion ‘A Woman’s Strength, and the Road to Self’. At 17:00, guests will be invited to a discussion about the book ‘Aristotelis. Runas māksla – Rētorika’ (‘Aristotle. Rhetoric: the Art of Speech’), with Ilze Rūmniece, Līva Rotkale and other authors of articles and comments in the book.

Musical greetings to partnerships
The Main Stage event schedule on Sunday, 5 March, will begin at 11:00, as Arturs Gruzdiņš, composer, songwriter, and now also children’s book author, will offer a musical greeting. Come and hum along! At 13:00, there will be a meeting with Valdis Segliņš, author of the scientific monograph ‘Sports Senajā Grieķijā un Romā sabiedrības spogulī’ (‘Sport in Ancient Greece and Rome though a Social Perspective’), and Aija Rozenšteine, head of the University of Latvia Press. At 14:00, the Latvian Publishers’ Association will offer a discussion on ‘The role of bloggers in promoting books’, talking about working with publishers and whether bloggers are, in fact, those who sow the seeds of interest, encouraging people to read and discuss what they read. Aija Bremšmite, winner of the ‘Grāmatnieku draugs 2022’ award, creator of the Piedzīvot podcast, and Kristīne Pīkenena, representative of the Latvian section of the New Bookseller Congress and a book club manager, will participate in a discussion with representatives of publishing houses. At 15:00, a reader favourite, the writer Dace Judina, will present the latest novel in the ‘Izmeklē Anna Elizabete’ (‘Anna Elizabete Investigates’): ‘Sešas pēdas’ (‘Six Traces’). You can find the event schedule at: https://ej.uz/5kcc

See a Latvia Puppet Theatre show!
‘Tuntuļu Jurītis’ is a magical and exciting story about a clever country boy, Jurītis, who finds incredible adventures, gets into trouble, and always escapes unscathed. Its witty poems that sparkle with the lightness and ironic character of the poet Alberts Kronenbergs’ works, are a treasure of Latvian literature, and we encourage every child to discover them. So, on Saturday, 4 March, at 12:00, Conference Room 3 will be the place for young guests to see the ‘Tuntuļu Jurītis’ show by the Latvia Puppet Theatre. See you soon!

Exchange your books!
Continuing a tradition very popular with guests that started in recent years, there will be Book Exchange Station working throughout all three days of the fair. Everyone is welcome to come and bring books that they’ve read many times and no longer need, to exchange them for something unfamiliar. This year, the Exchange Pool of Riga Central Library Repository has contributed more than 4500 books to the Book Exchange Station! At the Book Exchange Station, people will find children’s books with pictures and stories, books about art, specialised and reference literature, fiction and other reading materials in various languages. Browse through your bookshelves, make room for new acquisitions, come to Latvian Book Fair 2023 and swap your books for something you love!

On all three days, Brain Games will invite guests to explore the extensive world of gaming, while LinErgo will offer ergonomic furniture for readers. For more about Latvian Book Fair, visit: www.bt1.lv/lbf

Latvian Book Fair is organised by the BT 1 international exhibition company, in conjunction with the Latvian Publishers’ Association.

Meanwhile, Ķīpsala will also be the location of the Skola 2023 education fair, offering all the information you need about learning opportunities in Latvia and abroad. For more, visit: www.bt1.lv/skola

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Event hours:
3–4 March, 10:00-18:00
5 March, 10:00-17:00

Ticket prices:
Ticket pre-sale online: www.bt1.lv/lbf/buytickets.php
Children under 7: free of charge