Latvian Society Research Articles

BIBLIOGRAFAS KĀRLIS EGLE IR ŽURNALAS „LATVJU GRĀMATA“ (1922–1931)

The magazine “Latvju Grāmata” is the first monthly magazine in the Latvian language covering literary criticism, book science and bibliography. During the ten years of the existence, it gave comprehensive overview of the Latvian and foreign book science of the respective time and also summarized and first published a lot of cultural and historical material on the Latvian cultural figures and the development of literature. The monthly published reviews, critiques of the recently published books, serious general articles on literature, literary history and theory; writers’ biographies, letters and notes; articles on bibliography and art of the book; research on languages; reviews of outstanding foreign fiction; wide chronicle of the Latvian literary activities; chronicle of theatre and art; extensive bibliography of recent books; information about Latvians in foreign literature; reviews of book publishing, conferences and other issues. Rūdolfs Egle (1889–1947), a man of letters and translator, was the editor-in-chief of the magazine. His brother Kārlis Egle (1887–1974), a bibliographer, literary historian and translator, was the main and sometimes the only doer and the actual editor of the magazine. Ansis Gulbis (1873–1936), a book publisher and writer, was the initiator and founder of the magazine. The Latvian Book Dealers and Publishers Society became the publisher of the magazine to make its activities comprehensive. The magazine was printed in different printing houses. The first number of the “Latvju Grāmata” was published in September 1922. The Society suffered material losses because of the little number of the readers, therefore it gave up the magazine. Ansis Gulbis urged Kārlis and Rūdolfs Egles to undertake the publication of the magazine in order to continue the monthly which the community needed. Rūdolfs Egle became the editor-in-chief and publisher of the magazine since its first number of 1927. Kārlis Egle worked hard and systematically for the “Latvju Grāmata”, and at the same time he compiled collected works of several writers, translated fiction from English and Russian, wrote reviews and essays on literary history, compiled bibliographies of writers, wrote the chapter of the Latvian literature for the Latvian encyclopaedia Latviešu konversācijas vārdnīca and worked as a director of the Misiņš Library since 1925. Kārlis Egle fell ill with tuberculosis due to the hard and stressful work, and the publication of the magazine had to be ceased. The last number of “Latvju Grāmata” was published in December 1931. “Latvju Grāmata” is still the only magazine on the Latvian bibliography and literary criticism that covered only these issues. The monthly published the valuable bibliography of the Latvian publications from 1922 to November 1931 (in the decimal classification system) compiled by the bibliographers Augusts Ģinters and Voldemārs Caune. “Latvju Grāmata”, as an important publication on the Latvian bibliography, literary history and criticism, has not lost its meaning up to nowadays. It gives very rich material and detailed reviews of literary activities of the respective period and is important to the contemporary literary critics and cultural historians. The magazine “Latvju Grāmata” can be considered as one of the magazines that started the Latvian bibliography and book science.

1918–1944 METŲ LATVIJOS KNYGININKYSTĖS TYRIMAI: AUTORIAI, TEMOS, LEIDINIAI, SPAUDA

The research of book matter in Latvia started at the end of 18th century with an essay about the printing houses in Riga written by pastor and bibliophile L. Bergmann. Some important publishing houses got coverage in the publications by A. Bucholtz and A. Poelchau at the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th centuries. Although the founding of Latvian statehood in 1918 made a definetely new situation for book publishing per se, it didn’t bring substantial changes for research of book matter. Unlike several other humanitarian sciences, research of book matter didn’t receive financial support by state and didn’t get some institutional form as well. The research of book matter had stripes of spontaneous and fragmentary activity. The research was done not only by specialists (publishers, specialists in printing and bibliographers), but by scientists of other fields (historians, linguists, specialists in literature) too. Some fresh ideas about the Livonian book culture during the Middle Ages and Reformation were brought in by the workings of the Baltic historian of German origin, L. Arbusow. The publications of bibliophile J. Misiņš and art historian V. Pengerots told about history of printing enterprises in Latvia. The survey concerning the development of book matters in Latvia written by V. Pengerots was published in “Gutenberg-Jahrbuch” (1935). The periodical “Latvju Grāmata” (“Latvian Book”, 1922–1931) provided diverse information about the current topics in Latvian and foreign book matters though few specific research publications. Due to limited readership the world economic crisis at the beginning of 30ies was fatal for periodical “Latvijas Grāmatrūpniecības Apskats” (“The Review of Latvian Book Industry”, 1928–1931). “Bibliotekārs” (“Librarian”, 1937–1940) published by Latvian Society of Librarians was noticeable for article written by its editor, bibliophile G. Šaurums about ancient prints in Latvian found in foreign libraries. More than 30 publications covering different topics on book matter (including about books in Latvian in the 16th–18th centuries, educational literature) one can find in “Izglītības Ministrijas Mēnešraksts” (“The Monthly of Ministry of Education”, 1920–1939). One should note that the factual information gathered during 20ies and 30ies was later used for monographies about Latvian book matters, published in 60ties and 70ies. During the period the first popular – scientific study in Latvian covering the book matter (“The Book, its history…” by K. Dziļleja, 1935) was published as well. Publications featuring the exhibitions of Latvian books in Moscow (1940) and Leipzig (1942) are distinguished by their representation purposes. During the Nazi occupation articles covering book matter topics were published in periodicals “Izglītības Mēnešraksts” (“Educational Monthly”, 1942–1944) and “Latvju Grāmatnieks” (“Latvian bibliophile”, 1943–1944). The disruption of Latvian independence broke down for a long time an adequate development of Latvian research of book matter. Some authors (K. Draviņš) pursued their scientific work in exile. The others (J. Straubergs, K. Egle) had no access to full-bodied scientific work as the Soviets denied their professional activities in universities and libraries.

Modernization of Libraries in a Postcommunist State: The Roles of the George Soros, Andrew W. Mellon, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations in the Development of Latvian Libraries

This paper presents the most important changes in the library system of Latvia in the late 1980s, when, as a result of a nonviolent struggle, Latvia regained full independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. Particular attention is paid to contributions by private foundations in the United States—the George Soros, Andrew W. Mellon, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations—to fulfill the main goal of library work: namely, helping to create a democratic society in which everyone has the opportunity to express their views and be able to freely access information. During the Soviet period, libraries were mainly agents of the dominant power; they were often forced to ignore the needs of Latvian society or even to work against them. The activities of libraries were strictly regulated and controlled. Latvian independence has allowed the libraries to end political censorship and strict control, and to independently determine their future directions and work methods. Political changes occurred so rapidly that the immediate normalization of professional work after fifty years of occupation was not possible. However, US private foundations supported strategically important areas of library work: automation and access to the internet, the creation of the State Unified Library Information System (SULIS), and the professional development of library staff. The US foundations, through requirements for the cofinancing of large-scale projects, also motivated state and municipalities in Latvia to increase their investment in libraries. The interest expressed in libraries by these foundations emphasized that Latvian libraries were vital. Consequently, targeted investments shortly after independence ensured the timely inclusion of the basic elements of the national library system—the National Library of Latvia and public, school, and academic libraries—in the modern information environment, thus allowing them to fulfill the main task of all libraries: the provision of public access to information.

EFSUMB Newsletter meets Latvia

The interview with the representative from the Latvian Society of Ultrasound (LUSA), President Maija Radzina took place in May 2014 with Newsletter Editor Adrian Saftoiu.

Current Research Tendencies in Applied Linguistics

In this article, we discuss the changing role of applied linguistics from a diachronic perspective and outline its present role as an interdisciplinary branch of science. In the 1950s, applied linguistics was viewed as a branch of science dealing with the application of linguistics to language teaching and with tackling central issues of practical language in use. Nowadays applied linguistics encompasses a wide range of objectives, the scope of which is often hard to define. If applied linguistics had to undergo a long way of broadening the field all over the world, this period of development was left out in Latvia, applied linguistics not being officially recognized as a branch of science. The official beginning of applied linguistics in Latvia is considered to be the year 1999, when it was entered into the Science Classification of the Latvian Council of Science. At the outset, the first dissertations written in applied linguistics reflected its interdisciplinary nature as a practice-driven discipline that addresses solving language-related phenomena in a variety of general, academic, occupational and professional contexts. The present article argues that applied linguistics lies at the intersection of different disciplines; however, the narrow view of applied linguistics that still exists in the Latvian society calls for considering its role within our own academic niche as well as in an outward perspective, thus making the Latvian academic society aware of its importance as an interdisciplinary branch of science.

Social orphanhood in Latvia

The reform processes and the developments of social policy to solve the major social problems of the socially vulnerable population, among them, children in particular, take place in Latvia during the last 20 years. Protection of children rights is declared one of the strategic priorities of the state social policy. At the same time the problem of child neglect and child abandonment in Latvia has not yet been sufficiently conceptualized. Already since 1990-ies Latvian society has clearly faced with an objective necessity of solving problems of child abandonment in connection with an increasing number of social orphans. The situation was complicated by the fact that the formation of a fundamentally new system of social policy, social support and assistance to risk children had to be developed and implemented in conditions of economic transition to market economy relations, increasing social tensions, and sharp increase in social inequality and social discrimination. Among the enourmous number of economical and social problems in the developing democratic state, the issue of child abandonment as an important social problem has been addressed rather fragmentary. The term “social orphanhood” does not appear in the social policy vocabulary of the Latvian social policy doscourse.

Creative use of traditional patchwork motif in the Patchwork & Quilt workshop

Contemporary quilters use a wide range of Patchwork and Quilt designs and styles, from ancient and ethnic to post-modern futuristic patterns. Unusual quilting designs have increasingly become popular as decorative textiles. During the late 20th century, art quilts became popular for their aesthetic and artistic qualities rather than for functionality. Patchwork & Quilt as a form of art is very popular throughout the world. Patchwork & Quilt technology is based on stitching together, tufted fabric pieces with decorative embroidery patterns and variations on the theme of the artist's intentions. The larger design is usually based on repeat patterns built up with different fabric shapes. Patchwork is most often used to make quilts, but it can also be used to make bags, wall-hangings, warm jackets, cushion covers, skirts, waistcoats and other items of clothing. Some textile artists work with patchwork, often combining it with embroidery and other forms of stitchery. Traditional patchwork – blankets and pillows include such familiar themes as Log Cabin, Star, Pineapple, Scrap-Quilts, Bargello etc. Traditional patchwork has identifying names based on the arrangement of colors and shapes. A unique form of patchwork quilt is the Crazy Quilt. Crazy quilting was popular during the Victorian era (mid-late 19th century). The crazy quilt is made up of random shapes of luxurious fabric. The patchwork pieces are stitched together forming "crazy" or non-repeat, asymmetric compositions. Fancy embroidery embellishes the seam lines between the individual, pieced shapes. Traditions of Latvian Quilt continues at Quilt Latvian Society. Inspired by the world, Latvian artists creatively extend the style and technique-specific boundaries. Patchwork & Quilt is a process that continues to evolve and improve the selection of fabrics and innovative technological solutions and means of artistic versatility. The aim of the work – To study traditional 19th century patchwork motif and to explore the usage of Crazy Quilt motif in contemporary patchwork. Material and Methods. This paper analyses the contemporary textile artists’ quilts and traditional 19th century Crazy Quilt motif. Conclusions. The research explores traditional 19th century patchwork motif, summarizes and analyses most common visual and technological features of Crazy Quilt motif. As a result of the research, and on the basis of personal experience, authors offer the Crazy Quilt practical training (workshop) objectives and terms of reference to ensure patchwork technique practical and artistic components. Applying both – traditional and contemporary patchwork sewing techniques and combining them with textile techniques such as embroidery, crochet, textile printing and different painting techniques, there is scope for costume decoration process. The Workshop’s content is suitable for students and participants who are interested in patchwork, quilting and everything in the diverse world textile arts in the 21st century, for beginners and intermediate makers. Participants can use a Crazy Quilt for design idea and learn the easy ways how to draw chosen designs and combine patterns to create a contemporary quilt and costume elements. As a result, students obtain new knowledge, self-experience in traditional textile techniques and motivation to study textile technology.

Politische Bildung und ihr Beitrag zur Entwicklung einer Zivilgesellschaft in Lettland

Summary The collapse of the Soviet Union resulted in the change of orientation of sociopolitical aims and values in Latvia; the society criticized the values and behaviour demanded and produced by the totalitarian rule. In the process of such transformations, a significant role is assigned to education, especially political education: its aim is to prepare citizens for participation in societal processes at all levels. However, despite the achievements of the 20th century, the conclusion can be drawn that in present day Latvian society the negative attitude towards democratic values is predominant. The civil education in Latvia is implemented as separate campaigns or events, and it is not connected with people’s daily life. A serious challenge is the inclusion of the subject matter of civil education into the contents of general and teacher education.

THE FINANCIAL CRISIS AND THE DISCOURSES OF LATVIA’S POLITICAL PARTIES

At the end of 2008, Latvia’s population found out about the financial problems of one of Latvia’s largest banks. At first, politicians stated that there were no grounds for concern and that there was no crisis, but just a couple of weeks later the opposite turned out to be true. Accordingly, the Saeima made a number of decisions that met with mixed reactions in society, also including amendments to tax laws. At the same time, the Cabinet also made decisions about public expenditure cuts and redundancies, and entered negotiations with the International Monetary Fund about a loan for the Republic of Latvia. Nationally, unemployment grew as did socio-economic tension. At the start of 2009, together with 25 public organisations and trade unions, the political organisation Sabiedrība citai politikai ( the Society for Political Change ) (Diena, 13 January 2009) came forth with a proclamation - An invitation to the Latvian people, asking State President Valdis Zatlers to dissolve the 9th Saeima, as well as demanding the election of a new Saeima and establishment of fair, honest, democratic and competent executive government. At the end of the announcement, an invitation was made to everybody to attend a meeting of the people on 13 January in Dome Square. The study analyses the rhetoric of political values in the six biggest national newspapers in an attempt to clarify the information that Latvian society received from politicians. Using one word or another, people create a certain social reality. Concepts and metaphors reflect belief systems and the thoughts, on the basis of which the speaker acts. Within the framework of the study, the authors try to answer the question of what society discovered about the aims and actions of politicians during the resolution of the economic crisis, which generated a lack of confidence, which prompted people to unite and demand the dissolution of the Saeima. People observe the political rhetoric within the public discourse and the study data show that that which society gleaned from political discourses was: a failure to search for a definition of a single concept; emotional saturation within the rhetoric of politicians containing mutual offence, irony and metaphors; over-definition of the essence of the subject; self-presentation redefining one’s beliefs depending on the position in the current situation; use of negative statements which reduce the potential discussion space; use of prior assumption relating this to the practice of intimidation; frequent use of meta-discourse; naming of the agenda of the day by the position. Observing the structure of such a discourse, the general public felt a sense of disappointment and sensed that finding welfare-based solutions to the problems caused by the financial crisis was not the basis for the battles between politicians. Accordingly, people found themselves unable to trust the information provided by political forces within the public space and experienced a double loss of freedom. (Raz.J., 2001 ) The situation subjected to an analysis of the rhetorical values of politicians shows that politicians engage in constant manipulation by redefining the nature of the subject, disclosing facts about others and presenting themselves by reformulating their beliefs depending on the environment and the situation. Such conduct reduces people’s abilities to make decisions. Latvian society is experiencing a double loss of freedom, firstly through the manipulation of politicians who restrict available information and reduce opportunities for action, and secondly, due to the economic crisis which reduces people's autonomy, compelling people to focus every thought and action on the goal of self-preservation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.eis.0.5.1084

CREATIVITY OF CONTEMPORARY DIEVTURI GROUPS AS A CULTURAL POLITICAL DISCOURSE

CREATIVITY OF CONTEMPORARY DIEVTURI GROUPS AS A CULTURAL POLITICAL DISCOURSE

Development of Work and Organizational Psychology in Latvia

This article describes the development of Organizational Psychology (OP) in Latvia from the time of their first independence, through the communist period to the time of regaining independence. The current work situation and challenges for OPs is described along with information about The Latvian Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychologists (LSIOP). Further development of OP in Latvia is discussed.

Русские в Латвии: особенности социокультурной адаптации и идентичности

The author identifies trends and variations of the socio-cultural identity and integration of Russians in Latvia. According to the author, since the middle 1990s, two trends have been recognized first, the ingrowing of ethnic Russians into the life of independent Latvia, and second, forming their new identity. The article presents a number of factors hampering the integration of ethnic Russians into Latvian society. Variations and options of socio-cultural identity and integration (or assimilation) of the Russian population of Latvia are shown.

Upbringing Potential in Family, Theoretical Grounds of its Criteria and Indicators

Introduction. A family as a social institution reflects significant changes in the process of society development. With the changes to the social-economic situation the family situation in the Latvian society has become complicated. In the beginning of the 21st century, the family is affected both by economic and social factors. This results in significant changes to family upbringing process. Aim of the Study. Analysis of the social-pedagogical problem and formation of criteria and indicators for upbringing potential in the family. Materials and Methods. Theory method analysis of scientific literature. Results. As a result of analysed scientific literature, criteria and indicators of family upbringing potential in the family have been formed, including description of its five levels. Conclusions. The field of upbringing provides for possibilities to satisfy needs, to improve the values discovered within the field of family life-action, as well as to facilitate formation of sense of belonging.

Towards proteophilic competence? Intercultural learning and language education in Latvia

The new paradigm of language education envisages that teachers become intercultural mediators. However, there is no agreement about implementing the new paradigm in school practice and language teacher education. The author believes that the intercultural dimension of language education is strongly linked to integrating intercultural learning in language education. It implies cooperation with teachers from other subject areas and attitude change. The author recently designed a new course to prepare language teachers for understanding the processes involved in intercultural learning. The present article presents a case study carried out while piloting the course ‘Integrating intercultural learning in language education’ at the University of Latvia, Faculty of Modern Languages. The student teachers commented that pupils’ intercultural competence cannot be fostered by teachers alone, without the support of parents and broader Latvian society. The author recommends introducing a special course on intercultural learning in the compulsory part of all higher education programs.

Association Between Implementation of Clinical Practice Guidelines and Outcome for Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death in the population under 40 years of age in Western countries, and the same was true for Latvia in 1999. This indicated a strong need to improve the management of TBI. The Latvian Society of Neurosurgeons in collaboration with related societies created a dedicated working group, and the Guidelines for Medical Management of TBI in Latvia (Guidelines) were developed in 2001. This study aimed to assess the association between implementation of the Guidelines and the outcome of TBI patients. The Guidelines were printed and distributed to relevant clinical units and teaching institutions. To assess the impact of the Guidelines on the outcome of TBI, Latvian medical statistics were researched. All patients admitted to emergency departments and registered as either discharged or dead with a diagnosis of head trauma from 1998 to 2004 were included in a retrospective survey. The primary endpoint accepted for analysis was the hospital case fatality rate (HCFR). The survey included 73,062 consecutive cases. The annual incidence rate of TBI admissions was stable during the period 1998 to 2004 (range 41.5-46.0/10,000), and the incidence of moderate and severe TBI (range 7.2-8.7/10,000) showed no significant trends. There was a reduction of HCFR from 3.7% during 1998-2000 to 2.6% during 2002-2004 (relative risk 0.72; 95% confidence interval 0.67-0.76; p = 0.03). Implementation of the Guidelines was associated with a statistically significant decrease of HCFR in TBI patients.

The current status and future direction of percutaneous coronary intervention without on‐site surgical backup: An expert consensus document from the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) coauthored and cosponsored with the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) guidelines update, released in November 2005 [1]. This guideline update continued to designate elective PCI without on-site surgery as a Class III indication, and primary PCI for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as a class IIb indication in the absence of on-site surgery. The performance of PCI without on-site surgical backup is currently the subject of debate. Although providing the highest quality of care and best outcomes to patients should always be the primary goal, debate on this topic has the potential to supersede quality of patient care issues. Within this context, SCAI developed this Expert Consensus document to determine the current status of PCI without on-site surgery not only in the United States, but globally, and make recommendations regarding the performance of PCI in this circumstance. The focus of this document is to provide a structure that provides the highest quality care to patients undergoing PCI in any circumstance. Endorsed by the following societies: Asian Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology, Belgian Working Group of Interventional Cardiology, Brazilian Society for Interventional Cardiology, British Cardiovascular Intervention Society, Working Group on Interventional Cardiology of the Bulgarian Cardiology Society, Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, Egyptian Society of Cardiology Working Group on Interventional Cardiology, Interventional Council of the Cardiological Society of India, Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology, Working Group on Interventional Cardiology of the Latvian Society of Cardiology, Polish Working Group on Interventional Cardiology of the Polish Cardiology Society, Sociedad Venezolana de Cardiologia Intervencionista (Venezuelan Society of Interventional Cardiology). Texas A&M School of Medicine, Scott & White Clinic, Temple, Texas Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania Exeter Hospital and Exeter Cardiovascular Associates, Exeter, New Hampshire Max Devki Devi Heart & Vascular Institute, Saket, New Delhi, India Yakima Heart Center, Yakima, Washington Royal Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom St. Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine Sparks Health System, Fort Smith, Arkansas See Appendix Table

The Latvian market constructed

PurposeTo identify essential building‐blocks in the construction of the Latvian market after the Latvian transition to a market economy.Design/methodology/approachThe research uses a social constructivist approach to deconstruct the Latvian experience of economic change. The Latvian market is viewed as socially constructed, and essential events in the economic transition and national independence are viewed as essential to the interpretation of the Latvian experience of inclusion in the global economy.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited to Latvia, but is portrayed against the change taking place in Eastern Europe and the Baltic States in particular.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of this research are many, and could be taken into consideration not least by enterprises investing in the Latvian economy.Originality/valueThe value of the paper lies in the interpretations of the broader context of the Latvian market and some of the conditions in which enterprises are managed. The Latvian experience of transition is a background for reaching a better understanding of Latvian society.

ETHNIC POLITICS AND THE SOVIET LEGACY IN LATVIAN POST-COMMUNIST EDUCATION: THE PLACE OF LANGUAGE

This article concerns Latvian school policy during the 1990s. It is argued that Latvian post-communist school policy bears great similarity with political practice during the time of Soviet rule. The defining feature of present-day Latvian school policy is the privileged status granted the Latvian language and the separation of Latvian children from Russian-speaking children. It is emphasized that the separate school system is a legacy of the Soviet era except that nowadays, official measures favor Latvian rather than Russian-speaking children. Current ethnic politics can thus be seen to exert a strong influence on Latvian society just as it did during the Soviet era and earlier.

The Latvian Epic Lacplesis: Passe-partout Ideology, Traumatic Imagination of Community

The literary epic Lacplesis, written in the nineteenth century, was a conscious attempt to create a cultural frame of reference for the emerging Latvian nation. In this article, which examines how poet Andrejs Pumpurs imagined his community, Kruks compares the Latvian epic hero with his Estonian counterpart, Kalevipoeg, who was invented at the same time under similar conditions of domination by Russians and Baltic Germans. Kruks's narrative analysis demonstrates the different frameworks through which social bonds are constructed for the heroes. Kalevipoeg is a pragmatic actor with an explicitly formulated duty; he errs, but he recognizes his personal responsibility. The Latvian hero Lacplesis, on the other hand, is not given a clearly formulated duty; he is simply a hero by destiny and definition. As a resource of symbols that feed contemporary discourses, the epic impedes the construction of a modern national identity capable of engendering a civic society through active pragmatic participation. For past generations, Lacplesis explained unjust foreign domination. Kruks argues that contemporary Latvian society now seeks a new frame of cultural reference that will permit the construction of a future-oriented national identity.

A Search to Merge

This paper describes and discusses bilingual education and educational policies in Latvian primary education, especially with respect to the education of ethnic minorities. I assess whether the educational opportunities provided in the Latvian government's proposed models might support the integration of minorities into Latvian society. Furthermore, recommendations are given that relate to minority education in the future.