After being out of print for more than two decades, Rūta Rudzīte’s wartime and exile memoir Vecmāmiņ, kas ir trimda? has been republished by Laika grāmata.

As a child living in Riga, Rūta experienced first hand the occupation of Latvia by the Soviet and Nazi armies during World War II, as well as being a refugee in exile, and her eventual emigration to the United States. The author recounts her story to her granddaughter, after being asked the titular question.

Written for children and younger readers, Rudzīte’s story of war and exile continues to remain relevant, even now, eighty years after the end of World War II.

The book contains both the Latvian and English language version of the story – ‘Vecmamin, what is Exile?’ so all readers can appreciate her writing and this fateful and tragic chapter in Latvia’s history. The book can also potentially be used in Latvian schools as a supplementary material to teach both Latvian language and history.

The new edition of the book is also supplemented with many historical photographs.

The book’s rerelease was made possible with the support of the Latvian 50 Year Occupation Museum Fund Support Group (OMFA) in the United States, as well as  the support of the Daugavas vanagi organization.

For further information, please visit the Laika grāmata website.