Exhibition “Latvian Books – 500” to open at the European Parliament

From the First Book to the Castle of Light – under this motto, the exhibition “Latvian Books – 500” will be on display at the European Parliament in Strasbourg next week. The exhibition is organised by Sandra Kalniete MEP in cooperation with the National Library of Latvia.

The first printed work in the Latvian language dates back to 1525, a time of Reformation in Europe. Thanks to supporters of Martin Luther’s teachings in Riga, Lutheran texts intended for Livonia were printed in Latvian. To mark this milestone, the National Library of Latvia has organised a series of events highlighting the key developments that have shaped the spread of the written and printed word in Latvian. The exhibition at the European Parliament is part of this programme.

“The 500th anniversary of the printed word is an opportunity to reconnect with the roots of our language and, at the same time, to highlight the opportunities for our country's development. Our languages – Latvian, Livonian and Latgalian – and their continued presence, despite ideological, economic and technological challenges, have been and will remain a fundamental value of our people, the essence of Latvian identity and its foundation. An ancient and brilliant star in the constellation of Europe's many languages and identities,” writes the National Library of Latvia about the series of events dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Latvian publishing.

The exhibition will be open to visitors at the European Parliament in Strasbourg from 5 to 8 October, during the Parliament's plenary session. At the official opening on 6 October, the audience will be addressed by European Parliament Vice-President Sabine Verheyen, MEP Sandra Kalniete and Director of the National Library of Latvia Dagnija Baltiņa. At Sandra Kalniete's invitation, representatives of libraries from several Latvian municipalities and towns will also attend the opening, including Kuldīga, Ogre, Dobele, Alūksne, Saldus and Bārbele in Bauska municipalities.

To mark the exhibition, the European Parliament Library will also make a selection of books published in Latvian available for Members of the European Parliament, staff and visitors to browse in its open-access reading room.

In carrying out her mandate as a Member of the European Parliament, Sandra Kalniete continues her work in the Committee on Foreign Affairs, where she has been appointed standing rapporteur on Russia, as well as in the Committee on International Trade and the Committee on Culture and Education, where she serves as a substitute member. In the European Parliament's newly established Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield, Sandra Kalniete has been appointed Vice-Chair.

Sandra Kalniete heads the Latvian delegation within the European People's Party (EPP) Group, the largest political group in the European Parliament.

Within the EPP Group, Sandra Kalniete serves as Vice-Chair of the Foreign Affairs Working Group and works on matters withing the scope of the Committee on International Trade, including documents concerning EU financial and economic assistance to Ukraine. She is also a member of the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee and the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, and continues her work in the European Parliament's History Group.