“Happiness is not found in idleness and peace, but
in movement and diligence.” Janis Rainis
Following a good tradition, Poetry Days are held in Latvia every September. They are dedicated to significant dates in the life of the renowned Latvian poet Janis Rainis. He was born on September 11, 1865, and passed away on September 12, 1929. A roundtable discussion was dedicated to this great poet, playwright and public figure at our Baltic International Academy, initiated by the creative association “Vysotsky’s Planet” and the amateur club of poetry and music lovers “Green Lamp”.
A detailed and insightful conversation about the life and work of Janis Rainis was initiated by a richly illustrated literary and artistic composition prepared by teacher and literature expert Ludmila Bychkova. She detailed the main stages of his life and career, including his years of study, periods of exile, his stay in Switzerland, as well as his active involvement in the establishment of the Republic of Latvia during the 1920s. The poems and aphorisms of the talented Latvian poet were organically woven into the presentation.
This composition was successfully complemented by a speech from BIA Assistant Professor Lubova Kashirina, who noted that Janis Rainis is known in literary circles not only as the creator of talented poems and dramatic works, but also as the author of profound and compelling aphorisms, numbering more than five hundred in his creative treasury.
The famous writer, publisher and chairman of the Riga Armenian Community, Aleksandr Geronyan, reminded the audience that Janis Rainis was concerned about the fate of not only Latvia but other countries as well. This is convincingly demonstrated by his essay on the tragedy of the Armenian people, which was written in 1922. Grateful Armenians later named a street in Yerevan after him.
Nina Vevere, the head of the club “Green Lamp”, rightly pointed out in her speech that the works of Janis Rainis are interesting also to modern youth, as they help them better understand a bygone era.
In the photos: A portrait of Janis Rainis. The poet’s memorial house in Berkenele (Latgale). Participants of the roundtable, Nina Vevere speaking.
Photos by Valeriy Makovoy.
