Regional Identity and Multiculturalism: the Baltic Germans of Latgale in the Early 20th Century Latvian Literature

Alina Romanovska

doi:10.15388/respectus.2021.40.45.93

Abstract

In the studies of Latvian culture and history, there is a number of investigations dedicated to the influence of Baltic German culture on Latvian culture. Hence the Latgale region was not given due attention in this regard. The role of the Baltic Germans in this region is peculiar due to its specific history, and it is important to study how the Baltic German culture influences the multicultural identity of Latgale. A project of the Latvian Science Council The Baltic Germans of Latgale in the context of socio-ethnic relations from the 17th until the beginning of the 20th century (2020–2021) is devoted to this topic. One of the tasks of the project is the analysis of the image of the Baltic Germans in fiction. In the framework of the research, the works written in the Latvian literary language, the action of which is set in Latgale, are analysed. The focus is on fictional works about Latgale written by two authors – Antons Austriņš (1884–1934) and Ādolfs Ers (1885–1945) – in the first and second decades of the 20th century. The said writers are the first currently distinguished authors narrating in the Latvian literary language, who describe Latgale in a number of their works. Compared to other nationalities (Poles, Russians, Jews), the Baltic Germans are mentioned minimally in their works; moreover, it is a commonplace that in some cases protagonist’s belonging to German descent is not mentioned, which can only be inferred. Although the Baltic Germans belong to the Latgale past, their culture is imperceptibly and harmoniously apparent in Latgale, i.e. it is evident in the castles (castle ruins) and manors as well as in the use of Germanisms by the Baltic Germans, it has determined the location of the Latgale cities and influenced the worldview.

Highlights

Intercultural communication has been one of the most pressing, complex and controversial topics over the centuries
It reflects the overall trend to pay more attention to local and regional identity when there is an eagerness at the group and individual level to preserve a sense of belonging and social integration due to a lack of stability (Eriksen, 2010, pp. 307–326)
The identity studies of Latgale as a distinctly multicultural region, which culture has been formed over several centuries by representatives of different nationalities, are topical nowadays as they demonstrate how different cultures, dominating in Latgale at the time, have interacted over the centuries and nowadays shape the regional identity of Latgale, whereby representatives of different nationalities coexist harmoniously

Summary

Introduction

The first decades of the 20th century is a very important time in forming Latvia’s national and regional identity This is the period when, in the context of Latvian culture, for the first time in history, the Latgale region begins to be actualized with its specific cultural and historical peculiarities, which are not typical for other inhabited territories of Latvians. It should be noted that both authors studied both the history and culture of Latgale in depth They collected language data (place names, personal names, set expressions), travelled and got acquainted with people, and delved into the Latgalian culture formation processes. Researchers note that their works provide rich ethnographic material on Latgale Researchers note that their works provide rich ethnographic material on Latgale (Salceviča, 1995, pp. 9–13)

Antons Austriņš’s and Ādolfs Erss’ Baltic Germans of Latgale

Conclusion