Karogs in March

The lead essay, Between Tomorrow and the Future — Today is by Inta Kārkliņa (1950). The author talks about conditions that always make us be in a hurry. Even so much in a hurry that important affairs today often suffer the stamps of carelessness, affecting our economic and cultural life, even our personal relationships.

Texts brings a fragment of Nobel Prize laureate, Irish writer Samuel Beckett’s (1906—1989) novel Murphy, translated by Ieva Kolmane. Juris Kronbergs (1946) contributes Twelve Poems. Last year’s Prose Readings guest, American writer Gina Ochsner’s (1970) short story Elegy in Water is translated by Jānis Elsbergs. Armenian poet Marine Petrosian (1960) calls her work, Along the Haika Shores translated by Valda Salmiņa a folklore epos. Guntis Berelis (1961) continues his Armenian travel notes, The Beginning and Center of the World, this time concentrating on the State of Urartu and Armenian contacts with ancient Greece and Rome, including architectural remains of the period.

Glance concentrates on the question whether it is possible to teach to write and does one have to learn to be a writer? Three Tries to Ask an Incorrect Question is attempted by Project Leader at the Literary Academy, Ronalds Briedis (1980) and Laima Muktupāvela (1962), this year’s leader of the Academy’s prose masterclass in her essay, The Young Chap. A round table discussion on To Learn to Teach to Learn engages four writers who have experience in teaching writing or consulting: Pauls Bankovskis (1973), Aivars Eipurs (1956), Arvis Kolmanis (1959), Guntis Berelis (1961). A somewhat ironic glance at teaching writing is cast by Māris Bērziņš (1962), prose writer and playwright, in his short story Writing Courses … and Gutenmorgen.

Glance continues with essays by the Literary Academy’s 2006 prose masterclass graduates. They scrutinize the writer and the process of writing: Ineta Meimane (1966), Ieva Plūme (1973), Dace Šteinberga (1979), Kristīne Ulberga (1979) and Anta Blumberga (1972). Short prose works follow by nine: Ineta Meimane, Māra Skredele (1988), Ieva Plūme, Kristīne Ulberga, Dace Šteinberga, Katrīna Krēziņa (1989), Anta Blumberga, Kristīne Berķe (1987) and Raibīs Suņs (Oskars Orlovs, 1983).

Essays. Prose writer and literary historian Valdis Rūmnieks (1951) in his essay, Čaks from Beginning to End relates his experience and adventures in preparing the definite complete works by classic Aleksandrs Čaks. Historian Arnis Kluinis (1962) continues his analysis of Latvian literary idiosyncrasies during WWI and the time of founding the Latvian state: A Literary Depiction of Latvian War Luck. Latest books reviewed include Jānis Einfelds’ novel Mischiefmaker, Olafs Seviško’s book about opera singer Arnolds Skara Through Thorns Among the Stars, Ieva Čaklā’s memoir about her husband Māris Čaklais, But — There is a Knot in Heaven, and Tālis Vaidars’ literary legacy, Novels.

Survey. An interview with Silvija Tretjakova, head of the children’s literary center at the National Library of Latvia. She reviews the achievements of the last ten years in establishing a program to promote reading, Children’s Jury, and presents the secondary program, begun last year, First Meeting with the Library. Tretjakova expresses her thoughts about the circumstances still preventing a child from meeting a book as often as would be necessary.

Information about the latest literary events, competitions, books published in Latvia, at our neighbours, the world at large.

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February Issue of Literary Monthly „Karogs“

In the lead essay Arvis Kolmanis (1959) reflects on the borders separating literary spaces and, likewise, languages.

Karogs dedicates this issue to the Baltic Book Fair 2008 where recent Russian literature is presented, being practically unknown to Latvian readers.

The poetry section is authored by poets of varying ages: living classics — Inna Lisnyanska (1928) and Oleg Chuchontsev (1938); members of the middle generation — Irina Yermakova (1951) and Sergey Zavyalov (1958); the youngest included are Dmitry Vodennikov (1968), Maxim Amelin (1970) and Anna Russ (1981).

Vasily Aksionov (1932), former dissident, present day classic, relates in a partially autobiographic short story Eye in the Forehead a small boy's experiences under Stalin during the arrest of his father. In the short story Christ Dmitry Bikov (1967) describes experiences in the Russian army: it is possible that the soldier terrorized by his comrades actually is the Messiah of our time. End of the Century by Oleg Popov (1970) also reveals a Biblical motif: during Christmas celebration in a hospital, a homeless man is brought in; due to the staff's carelessness he dies. The next morning, his body is missing from the morgue. Mihail Shishkin (1961), in describing an unpretentious everyday episode in the life of Russian emigrants in Austria, Welcome to Z. , introduces cultural and historic allusions which unexpectedly widen the story's reach in time and space. Aleksey Varlamov (1963), literary scholar and prose writer in Slav Film Night also meditates on Russian experiences in Europe. Andrey Gelasimov (1966) takes us back to Russia in Zhanna, a story of the rough and difficulty ridden life of a young mother in contemporary Russia. Alexander Kabakov (1943) in his short story Evil Love transposes the fairy-tale about Princess Frog to present day Moscow. The most entertaining anarchist of Russian literature, Yevgeniy Popov (1946) in Black, Soft Boots with Velcro Clothing changes the modest dream of a “small man” into a sombre existential parable. Andrei Levkin (1954) in Summer, August Thirty-One gives a variation of a popular Russian television film Sherlock Holmes that was made in Riga. In Levkin's short story Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson live in Riga, as if outside time. In The White Square Zahar Prilepin (1975) analyzes the results produced by a tragic childhood event.

Survey. Brings an interview with the director of the State Language Center, Dr. Agris Timushka, Yes, that is our duty — to protect. He acquaints the readers with the main tasks of the Center: to strengthen the position of the State language in daily exchange and to improve the quality of the language used. The director also talks about the Center's inspectors whose workaday life includes reacting to complaints concerning offences in the use of Latvian, also checking how well the law of the State language is being observed in the work of business companies, government offices, the media, etc.

Information about news in the literary life of the three Baltic States, Europe, and the world at large concludes the survey. We also cast a glance at the latest issue of the literary journal Metai.

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Karogs No. 1 of 2008

In the lead essay, Ieva Kolmane (1965) ponders how a reader manages to maintain what theories of aesthetics call “the aesthetic attitude” — keeping imagination and reality apart.

Texts. A poem sequence by Russian poet and translator Sergey Moreino (1964), translated by Maira Asare (1960). A fragment from Inga Žolude's (1984) first novel Warm Land and poems by Pēteris Draguns (1976). The main prize at the Prose Readings 2007 went to Māris Mikulāns (1965) for his short story Travelsadness. A debut in Karogs — poems by Justīne Kļava (1990). Also poems by Andris Zeibots (1950) and Andris Ogriņš (1975). Other prose works: Ēriks Lanss (1940) Fairytale in Naivism Style and continuation of Guntis Berelis' (1961) travel notes from Armenia .

Essays. Literary critic Austra Gaigala (1979) in her study The Poetics of Juris Kunnoss: Signs of Modernism analyzes the connections of Juris Kunnoss' poetry to the movements of the first half of the 20 th century, Surrealism, Imaginism, Expressionism. She finds interesting analogies to these ideas in the work of this original, yet during his lifetime not really appreciated poet. Māra Grudule (1963) in Number Symbolism in Latvian Poetry tells about the rather few chronograms in Latvian poetry and the possibility of number symbolism in the works of Rainis.

Historian Arnis Kluinis (1962) continues his narrative about Latvian literature in the period of WWI and the founding of the Latvian state. This time the author looks sceptically at the relation of ideas expressed in the texts and reality: Founding of the State as a Test of Irrational Forces.

Doctor of medicine and writer Jānis Liepiņš (1930) publishes a memoir of his work in provincial hospitals during the sixties and seventies of the past century: Oases of Art in the Desert of Science . They were his frequent contacts with artists in the provinces.

Imants Belogrīvs interviews the outstanding science fiction author Harry Harrison (1925): In Ourselves We Trust.

Reviews of recent books: two first appearances: Fruit-Drops that Will Cut Your Tongue by Ingmāra Balode; About Violins and other Beasts by Mincenhofs; the Latvian edition of the novel Shirt by Russian writer Evgeniy Grishkovec.

Survey. An interview with Janīna Kursīte, literary scholar, academician, Professor at the University of Latvia . She looks back at what has been achieved in 2007; tells about projects and expeditions she took part in; about publications and collected works. Professor Kursīte also relates picturesquely about people met on the expeditions (in Belarus , for example); she also reveals her private opinion about the most colourful of Latvia 's regions — Latgale and Kurzeme. She also mentions the historic and cultural memory we as people have, considering it neither deep nor lasting. The reasons for this she also discusses.

We inform about the yearly Prose Readings taking place early in December; an essay competition in the schools, concerning Rūdolfs Blaumanis; about the results of another competition organized by the Latvian Literary Centre to gain support for foreign publishers to publish translations of Latvian literary works.

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Karogs in December

In the lead essay, A Christmas Gift to Oneself Guntis Berelis (1961), following his belief that the most pleasing way is to gift oneself, reveals how he will make himself happy this coming Christmas.

Texts brings fragments from Dzintars Sodums' (1922) novel Beyond and poem sequences by three poets. Edvīns Raups (1962) O, how good is this weight; Eduards Aivars (1956) Not Breaking the Law of Autumn, and Elīna Bākule (1981) God, Garden and Other Motifs. Prose writer and critic Guntis Berelis begins his notes about a trip to Armenia , The Beginning and Center of the World with climbing to the top of Aragatz , Armenia 's highest peak, and the Amberd fortress.

Glance spreads a feeling of Christmas – Latvian literary works that one way or another mirror it. Artis Svece (1970) presents Christmas Stories – a Fragmentary Literary Chronology. It is followed by 6 authors' prose works and three poets: Krista Burāne (1971); Māra Svīre (1936); Skaidrīte Kaldupe (1922); Kristīne Ulberga (1979); Dace Šteinberga (1979), and Ieva Plūme (1973). The poets are Agnese Krivade (1981), Eduards Aivars and Māris Salējs (1971).

Essays. Literary historian Līvija Volkova (1931) has finished work at Blaumanis' Gold, an analysis of classic Rūdolfs Blaumanis' life and work. She relates about this in an interview with Guntis Berelis. Historian Arnis Kluinis (1962) continues his series analyzing the relationship of Latvian writers to the ideas of violence and terrorism propagated and also executed by politicians during the period of WWI and the founding of Latvian state. This time – St. Peter on Latvia 's Threshold. Literary historian Gundega Grīnuma (1948) ends her series about the building of a monument to Rainis and Aspazija in Lugano with her essay We with All Our Past and the Resurrection of a Monument in Castagnola. Three book reviews — philosopher and journalist Ilmārs Šlāpins' debut collection of poetry Karmabandha , Leons Briedis' translation from Italian of Eugenio Montale's poetry, and Inga Gaile's poetry collection Cake Mary.

Survey brings an interview with literary scholar and researcher of our folksongs or dainas, ex-president Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga. This month she celebrates a landmark birthday – 70. But in our interview Mrs. Freiberga talks about the place books occupy in her life, about the authors closest to her heart, about her reading habits. We also asked her about work accomplished in the daina research, her present involvement and future plans.

During the II Letonica congress, in varying sections more than 400 talks were presented. Latvian publishers participated at the book fair in Istanbul . As usual, news of literary life in Latvia , Lithuania , the world.

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November Issue of the Literary Monthly “Karogs”

The lead essay by Arvis Kolmanis (1959) Goats on the Nevsky Prospect was inspired by St. Petersburg experiences.

Texts begin with a poetic sequence replete with deeply personal experiences by Jānis Elsbergs (1969). Nora Ikstena (1969) has fragments from her book in progress Being. Regīna Ezera. Poems by young poet Agris Alonderis (1984) Generally I Really Like Love Poems are followed by Jānis Einfelds' (1967) long story The Church of Babel.

Glance brings testimony of this year's project Hypertext. In connection with computer programmers, young writers interested in expanding the boundaries of literature have created a collective text. They have made it alive in virtual environment and open to crisscrossing. The project puts in doubt the authority of the author, increasing the reader's rights to create a personal, unique version of the work in question. With the hypertext in world literature we are introduced by Haralds Matulis (1979), Ieva Šakina (1984), Dainis Leinerts (1985), Lāsma Grants (1985). An example of a hypertext is presented created by writers Anna Akmentiņa (1984), Inga Žolude (1984) and Arvis Kolmanis.

Historian Arnis Kluinis (1962) in his essay, Litigation as a Crime relates of the happenings at the end of WWI in Latvia and their reflection in literature: escalation of violence in reality and writing. Velga Krile (1945–1991), during her lifetime not appropriately valued as a poet, lives in her sister Antra Krile's memories, Stepan Razin, Nebuchadnezzar, and Velga Krile. Antra Krile also recalls her sister's work at yet unpublished historical and Biblical plays. Literary historian Gundega Grīnuma (1948) continues her report on the tragicomic troubles encountered by the plans to erect a monument in Lugano to Rainis and Aspazija. This time a new player joins the action – U.S.S.R. Security Commision, known as the Cheka. Reviews of new books: poet and prose writer Rūta Skujiņa's (1907–1964) two volumes of selected works, On God's Palm and Ships that do Not Return; also Juris Zvirgzdiņš' story for children Container Girl Rudīte.

Survey. A rich variety of information about Latvian literary life: 130 th birthday of Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš; and academic conference devoted to Rainis and Aspazija; the participating at the yearly book fairs at Gothenburg and Frankfurt. We introduce the laureates of the Pastariņa and Olivereto prizes. The news in the exile Latvian magazine Jaunā Gaita , published in Canada; of our neighbours and the world over.

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Karogs No. 10

In the leading essay Ieva Kolmane (1965) treats any writer as inevitably public figure endowed with specific rights and obligations.

Texts opens with a poem sequence by Pēters Brūveris (1950) Minor in Major. Prose is represented by works from the cycle Fairytales on Insomnia by Krista Burāne (1971) and a fragment from the long story The One Chosen by Howitzer by Ēriks Kūlis (1941). During August 2007, an automatic writing seminar took place at the Museum of Medicine, participated by several Latvian writers. We offer shorthand notes of the seminar, introduced by Haralds Matulis (1979) and Ieva Šakina (1984). Poems by Valentins Lukaševičs (1968).

Glance is turned towards the writer-publicist and the close connection between journalism and literature. The place journalism occupies and the part it plays in the context of the most essential world events is the topic of an essay by Ābrams Kleckins (1933), professor at the University of Latvia. Anda Rožukalne (1965), director of the program of journalism at Riga Stradiņš' University talks about the writer in the media. Their own thoughts about journalism express several of our writers and poets whose publications we read often in the press. They are: Ēriks Hānbergs (1933), Arno Jundze (1965), Agnese Krivade (1981), Marina Kosteņecka (1945), Imants Liepiņš (1981), Anda Līce (1941), Laima Muktupāvela (1962), Anna Rancāne (1959), Gundega Repše (1960), Māra Svīre (1936), Monika Zīle (1941), Liāna Langa (1960). We also bring some examples of publicistic works.

Glance. Historian Arnis Kluinis (1962) in his essay Freedom of Speech to Advocate the Law of the Fist is continuing his theme about the paradoxical convolution of politics and literature which we meet in Latvian literature during WWI. This time about the modifications of Latvia's freedom idea in propaganda poetry as well as in the Bolsheviks who, contrary to Latvian writers, managed rather uncomprehensively still in 1917 to oppose capital punishment. Poet and translator Leons Briedis (1949) in his essay Logos and Melos analyzes in poetry and music their reciprocity in sense, nonsense, sound. His starting point are examples from antiquity as well as 20 th century modernism. Under review is Inga Gaile's third collection of poetry Cake Mary and artist Andris Breže's second book of poetry, Spirits. Side Effects, signed with the alias Žebers.

Survey. An interview with Raimonds Briedis, chairman of the State Culture Capital Foundation's Literature Branch Expert Comission. He gives his views about the quality of the projects submitted for the competitions, how closely writers follow the rules, how they account for spending the funds received. Raimonds Briedis also characterizes contemporary Latvian literature and is gratified that the State Culture Capital Foundation furthers its development.

September bring the sounds of Poetry Days to the entire country. We inform about the events in Riga, Liepāja, Daugavpils and elsewhere and about the recipient of the Poetry Days prizes. As usual, news of literary life at our neighbours, in Europe and the world.

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„Karogs“ in September

Some time ago Latvians were quite prolific writers of travel books. In Karogs lead essay, Guntis Berelis (1961) ponders over decreased popularity of the genre and suggests this might be connected with latest tendencies in literature.

Texts bring new translations of Iranian classic Omar Khayyam's (1048–1122) Rubaiyat. The translator as well as author of the foreword and commentaries is Franciska Cimare (1968). Aivars Eipurs (1956) presents a sequel of miniatures In One Room with Anton Webern or Minima II . A short story by Lithuanian writer Alvydas Šlepikas (1966) My Friend Sigitas has been tranlsated by Indra Brūvere. Fragments from French writer Emmanuel Carrére (1957) Class Excursion are translated by Dens Dimiņš. From Latvian poetry: Breakfast for a Bird Choir by Anda Līce (1941) and poems by young poet Jānis Vādons (1979). Uldis Bērziņš (1944) gives Latvian versions of Turkish poet Ataol Behramoglu (1942); one of the poems has Elīna Bākule (1981) as co-translator.

Glance concentrates on the international project SeaLines . Among the participants were also Latvian literati, Marika Papēde (1980) from the Latvian Literature Centre introduces. As part of the project have been published essays by Jānis Elsbergs (1969) and Laima Muktupāvela (1962); a prose fragment by Egīls Venters (1964), poems by Artūrs Punte (1977), Ian Davidson (1957), and Michael O'Loughlin (1958).

Essays do offer essays – Latvia's Russian language poet Sergey Moreino (1964) muses over two outstanding Latvian poets, Uldis Bērziņš and Jānis Rokpelnis. Historian Arnis Kluinis (1962) uses little known texts by early 20 th century writers to analyze contemporary reception of World War I. His essay is called Ideals and Everyday Life During the First World War . Translator Solveiga Elsberga (1938) publishes fragments of her memoir Quite Recently and reveals her experience in translating Henrik Ibsen. Critic Sandra Ratniece (1970) scrutinizes the process of criticism during 2006. Latest books reviewed: a historic novel Hunchback of Riga by Aivars Kļavis , a novel Arctiidae by Ilze Indrāne; Radio Luxembourg by Egīls Venters, and a collection of essays and interviews, Pitfalls Dug by Dreams by film producer Ilona Brūvere.

Survey brings an interview with the director of Riga's Central Library (RCB), Dzidra Šmita. This is one of the oldest libraries in Latvia – last year it celebrated its 100 th anniversary. But this autumn RCB will celebrate 10 years since it moved to a new location and opened a subscription department, a reading room and a children's library. This interview tells about RCB's daily work, its readers, collection and problems to be solved.

We inform of the celebration of Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš' 130 th anniversary; about the camps for the winners of the Wide Horizon Contest ; about the international Poet Travel ; the achievements of the Liepāja writers; and literary activities in the three Baltic States and world wide.

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The Literary Monthly “Karogs” in August

In Karogs lead essay, Sleeping on Childhood's Pillow Inta Kārkliņa (1950) expresses both her thoughts how important is the earliest possible meeting of child and book as well as her satisfaction with the development of the children's and youth literary programs. The first results visible are – more good books, more readers.

Texts offer Horizontal Ladder, a poem sequel by Ronalds Briedis (1980), Inga Žolude's (1984) short story, A Question of a Place to Live; poems by Baiba Bičole (1931), exile poet living in the U.S. and Gaiķu Māris (1973), Juris Zvirgzdiņš' (1941) fairy story King the Fart; a collection of mini novellas Instants from the pen of satirist Andris Briedis (1937) and more by Rihards Bargais (1969) – miniatures Gossip.

Glance is devoted to the youngest generation of our literary scholars. Latvian University Philological Faculty Baltic Philology Master of Arts' first year students have formed an interesting provocation: a law of literary scholarship. Parodying in real law paragraphs and clauses, they discuss in legalese a very real question – the possibility of paying an honorary to poor (not in a material sense) literary scholars for not writing.

Guntis Berelis (1961) met five of the authors of this law at a round table discussion Totalitarian Utopia and Harsh Reality. He found one of them, Pauls Daija (1984) quite plausible. His essay follows, Beginning and End of the First Latvian Journal about the first 18 th century journal, Latvian Yearbook, dedicated to the general public.

In Essays historian Arnis Kluinis (1962) relates about writing that was abundantly produced at the beginning of World War I in which for propaganda purposes Germans were represented as fearful and at the same time curious monsters.

Poet Imants Auziņš (1937) in a fragment from his memoir in progress, How I Did Not Join the Party recalls some interesting episodes from the marginal literary life of the Sixties. This is reflected in his interview.

Literary historian Gundega Grīnuma (1948) continues her series about the tragicomic mixups surrounding efforts by the exile community to build a memorial in Switzerland to Rainis and Aspazija. Reviews of new books include Māris Bērziņš' short prose collection Gūtenmorgens; Agnese Krivade's debut poetry collection childhood; literary scholar Janīna Kursīte's extravagant dictionary Non-academic Latvian Language Dictionary or Regional Wordbook. Literary scholar Bārbala Stroda (1978) presents her study on the origins of fantasy literature.

Survey turns to the latest activities of the program White Wolf Books and reveals this year's laureates of the original Latvian literature competition. We present this summer's guests at the Writers House in Ventspils and look at some pages of Jaunā Gaita. As always: a chronicle of literary life, latest developments at our neighbours in Estonia , Lithuania , the world.

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Karogs No. 7

Issued from collaboration with the Finnish Literature Exchange, this issue is nearly entirely devoted to contemporary Finnish literature.

Texts are introduced by Renāte Blumberga's (1971) essay Is it Really Silent Skiers? — a Latvian's thoughts about Finns and Finnish literature. Maima Grīnberga-Preisa (1969), translator and editor of this section reveals in a short essay the principles responsible for her selections. In an essay Young Voices of Finnish Poetry literary critic Eino Santanen (1975) and poet Saila Susiluoto (1971) scrutinize contemporary Finnish poetry's directions and tendencies. Translations of the following Finnish poets: Heli Laaksonen (1972), Sanna Karlström (1975), Markku Paasonen (1967), Aki Salmela (1976), Mikko Rimminen (1975), Saila Susiluoto (1971) and Olli Sinivaara (1980) are by Guntars Godiņš and Maima Grīnberga-Preisa.

Literary critic and journalist Jarmo Papinniemi (1968) offers a survey of contemporary Finnish prose (translated by Ingrīda Peldekse). Fragments from five novels are translated by Maima Grīnberga-Preisa as is a short story from Rosa Liksom's (1958) collection Earth: Asko Sahlberg's (1964) Oak Grove, Tuomas Kyrö's (1974) Union, Maria Peura's (1970) Edge of Light, Hannu Raittila's (1956) Atlantis, and Arto Salminen's (1959—2005) Kalavale. Folk Epos.

Finnish drama is in the care of philologist Ilze Matisone (1971). In an article How Much is this Worth in Finland Maima Grīnberga-Preisa acquaints Latvian readers with the “financial situation and securities” of Finnish literature, mentioning concrete numbers, premiums, stipends, and prizes.

Essays. Gundega Grīnuma (1948) continues her series of essays about the tragicomic intrigues surrounding the memorial to Latvian classic Rainis in Lugano: By a Hair of Ostracism.

Survey brings an interview with Benedikts Kalnačs, director of the University of Latvia Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art. He relates that, although the Institute has changed its jurisdictional status and functions now as a state agency under the protection of the University, its main task has remained unchanged: the study of Latvian literature and folklore, including research of the development of drama, music, and film. As the most pressing present task Kalnačs mentions the digitalization of the Institute's research, making it more widely accessible. He is proud of achievement in the fields of folklore and drama history. He characterizes the main themes of concentration of literary scholars.

We report on two years of succesful work by the Talsi School of Writing; the May walk at Grīziņkalns, Vizma Belševica's world; the Goethe society 80 th plenary session in Weimar; other literary news in Latvia and the world.

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June Issue of the Literary Monthly “Karogs”

In the lead essay Limits, Arvis Kolmanis (1959) muses about boldness in decisions both in literature and life.

Texts begins with Latvian literature veteran Ilze Indrāne's (1927) short stories Behind the Door and The Thirteenth Fish Series. We publish a poem series Hyphens by Dagmāra Igale (1930), poet and artist living in the U.S. (introduced by Liāna Langa (1960)) and the younger generation poet Andis Surgunts (1984) poems Oh, these Sadeyed Monsters. Poet Jānis Rokpelnis (1945) has turned to prose. We offer fragments from his novel The Virtual Faust.

Glance is dedicated this time to the topic Literature and Religion. Their mutual interaction, merging and repulsion in varied points of contact are scrutinized by poet Uldis Bērziņš (1944); literary critic Iveta Ratinīka (1978); poet Leons Briedis (1949); writers Māris Bērziņš (1962) and Pēteris Pūrītis (1970); poet Aivars Eipurs (1956). Imants Belogrīvs' (1953) conversation with Russian cosmonaut Georgy Grechko (1931) reveals his thoughts about the cosmos, literature and turning to God.

Essays brings two comprehensive surveys about books published during 2006. Poet and translator Kārlis Vērdiņš (1979) evaluates poetry, critic Rimands Ceplis (1977) prose. Gundega Grīnuma (1948) continues her cycle of essays about the tragicomic intrigues surrounding the memorial to Latvian classic Rainis in Lugano: Too Small for Latvians, too large for Castagnola. Literary historian Jānis Zālītis (1951) presents a study on the history of Tālava's Trumpeter motif so well known in Latvian literature. The critic Mārtiņš Lasmanis (1930), living in Sweden, in analyzing the prose of Visvaldis Lāms finds surprising analogies to the prose of classic Jānis Poruks. Another review is dedicated to a short story collection of nearly forgotten prose writer Tālis Vaidars.

Survey brings an interview with Jānis Oga, director of Latvian Literature Centre. He participated in May to the Turin book fair. A national booth represented Latvian books and publishing. In the interview, he summarizes other activities of the Centre in promoting and translating Latvian literature abroad while stressing the main directions and actual tasks of the Centre.

Information in Survey also about the latest news of literary life in our country, Lithuania and the world; the general meeting of our Writers Union; the publication of Pumpurs' Lāčplēsis in English under the title of Bearslayer; other news.

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