Blogs
Tome on Latvians in the West is imperfect work
September 25, 2009
A relatively recent guide to the history of Latvians in the West, Latvieši Rietumzemēs, has been drawing attention on the online mailing list of the diaspora organization ELJA50. Unfortunately for author Ilgvars Veigners, the comments have not been all that positive.
Described in publicity copy as the most comprehensive book to date about Latvian emigration to the West, the 978-page tome is being criticized for its errors and omissions. Released by the Rīga-based publisher Drukātava, Veigners’ book is an extension of his 1993 title, Latvieši ārzemēs.
The first book, weighing in at 400 pages, was published by Rīga-based Latvijas Enciklopēdija and was to be part of a 15-volume series on Latvia and Latvians. That Veigners turned to what essentially is a vanity press for his second book may be indicative of the difficulty in getting anything published in Latvia today.
In 1995, I reviewed Latvieši ārzemēs for the Journal of Baltic Studies. Veigners’ first book, I wrote, “is a notable addition to the all too small base of data we have about Latvians outside Latvia.” But I also pointed out the book’s chief editor’s disclaimer that Latvieši ārzemēs should not be considered an encyclopedia and that Veigners’ “collected reports are neither complete nor precise.”
So it seems with Latvieši Rietumzemēs. A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to sneak a peek at Veigners’ manuscript and was shocked by some of the errors (including in the entry about me!).
As with Latvieši ārzemēs, the new Latvieši Rietumzemēs should be considered more as historical evidence rather than historical analysis. Here is the result of one man’s decades of work collecting information about Latvians abroad, using the sources he had available. Given that much of this information was gathered during the years of Soviet occupation, it should not be surprising that data are missing or incorrect. Viewed from that perspective, Latvieši Rietumzemēs could be rather interesting reading.
Andris Straumanis is editor of Latvians Online.
Comments
No comments have been posted about this article.
Post a comment
Comments are limited to 2,500 characters. Don't post foul language, libelous statements, commercial messages or material copyrighted by others. Comments are moderated and are posted after review. Those deemed inappropriate or off-topic will be deleted without notification. For more information, contact us.
What's new
News
07 Feb 2010
Irish solicitor disappointed by lack of charges in Saulīte case
The Irish attorney who represented murder victim Baiba Saulīte,…
Blogs
07 Feb 2010
Translated diary offers teenage boy’s view of life after war
The book has been out for a few months, but now there’s a Web…
Reviews
03 Feb 2010
Just another travel guide? For Rīga, fortunately not!
Are all travel guides the same? Is this really…
In the forums
Latvia for Sale...... posted by Dejotajs on 05 Feb 2010
Someone send William McIntosh, the D-Day Memorial's president, a copy of "The Soviet Story" posted by ambersun on 04 Feb 2010
Months go by.... posted by nick on 01 Feb 2010
English to Latvian translation required posted by fleuryfox on 01 Feb 2010
Blue paper, white chalk for medicinal healing in Latvia posted by Irena on 31 Jan 2010
Advertise with Latvians Online! Click here





