2012 2×2 again set for Malibu

Youth camp 2×2, a camp in the US for primarily North American Latvian youths is scheduled from December 27th 2012 to January 2nd 2013 in Malibu, California. This will be the 4th 2×2 camp to be held since the movement was rejuvenated in 2006. Originally started in 1964 and active until 1996 this movement had experienced a lull for a decade before Aivars Osvalds, a former 2×2 member decided it was time to recreate the atmosphere of previous years.

The focus of this camp is on promoting activism among Latvian youth in North America with the view to make clear succession in Latvian community life – that eventually they will be taking over the reins. Topics for discussion have been Latvian politics, “latvietība”, the options for youth from North America to relocate to Latvia for various lengths of time, ways of expressing your sense of being a Latvian.

Serious discussions are always offset with less brain-stressing acitivities – folk dancing, jewelry making, Latvian cooking, singing and a fun-packed evening programme.

Guest speakers from Latvia over the past years have been writer and playwright Māra Zālīte, journalist Jānis Domburs, journalist Eva Ikstena-Strapcāne, and a host of former emigre Latvians who now reside in Latvia: Māris Graudiņš, Dainis Mjartāns, Andris Gobiņš among others. This year’s 2×2 guest speakers will be singer Renārs Kaupers, politician Raivis Dzintars and former Diena editor and Minister of Culture, Sarmīte Ēlerte.

For more information on 2×2 have a look at the 2×2 website

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2×2 group photo at the 2006 camp in West Virginia.

Daina Gross is editor of Latvians Online. An Australian-Latvian she is also a migration researcher at the University of Latvia, PhD from the University of Sussex, formerly a member of the board of the World Federation of Free Latvians, author and translator/ editor/ proofreader from Latvian into English of an eclectic mix of publications of different genres.

Literārais deserts dzejas cienītājiem

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Viens no traģiskākajiem un latviešu literatūrā daudz apcerētiem patiesiem mīlas stāstiem ir attiecības starp dzejnieci un aktrisi Birutu Skujenieci (Dambekalni, 1888-1931) un dzejnieku Jāni Sudrabkalnu (Arvīdu Peini, 1894-1975).

Nenotikušas, neizdzīvotas attiecības, jo aktrise, vislabākajos sievietes gados būdama, Mellužos gāja bojā, bet dzejnieks, kurš tā arī nebija spējis viņai tuvoties, pēc traģiskā notikuma lēnītēm ieslīga alkohola varā. J. Sudrabkalns pats šo nenotikušo mīlestību apcerējis ciklā Klodijai (Liesma, 1984).

Nesen ceļu pie lasītājiem sācis divu dzejnieku – tukumnieces Sarmas Upeslejas un liepājnieka Māra Reinberga – kopdarbs jeb, kā to nodēvējuši paši autori, mīlestības marginālijas Tik tuvu tev. Šai lirikas ciklā lasītājs dialogu veidā vēlreiz varēs izsekot līdzi B. Skujenieces un J. Sudrabkalna trağiskajiem likteņiem. M. Reinbergs iejuties dzejnieka J. Sudrabkalna izjūtās un pārdzīvojumos, uz ko viņam ar S. Upeslejas dzejas rindām atbild aktrise B. Skujeniece.

Grāmatiņas lappusēs abu talantīgo cilvēku gari it kā atdzīvojas – J. Sudrabkalns dzejas rindās pauž, vietumis pat skaļi izkliedz savu izmisumu un sirdssāpes, uz ko aktrise nu jau no Mūžības dārziem viņam atbild. Šī „sarunāšanās” ar mirušo lasītājā varētu radīt pat sirreālas izjūtas. Pārsvarā sarakste jeb saziņa starp abiem noris naktī: „Mirdz naktī Rīga kastaņlukturos.” Tas ir laiks, kad viss apklusis, dienas darbi paveikti un iestājies brīdis, kad domas ir brīvas. Deg sveces, vīns saliets kausos un „saruna” var sākties. Brīžiem aktrise savu dzejnieku cenšas mierināt, taču daudz vairāk J. Sudrabkalns gaida ierodamies viņu pašu, kas, protams, nekādi nav iespējams.

Gan viens, gan otrs daudz piemin likteni; tas ir viens no lirikas cikla motīviem. „Mums katram savs/ ir liktens lemtais gājums,” kādā dzejolī atzīmē aktrise. Savukārt dzejnieks vājuma brīdī izkliedz: „[..] mans liktens iris/ to metu Nāvei – ņem ja vēlies!..” Un patiesi – viena dzīve pēkšņi apraujas liktenīgas nejaušības dēļ, bet otram viņa jaunības dienu mīlestība kļūst liktenīga un „seko” visu dzīvi.

Ikvienam dzejas cienītājam šī grāmatiņa raisīs dziļi individuālas izjūtas un pārdomas.

Visiem interesentiem, kas vēlas šo lirikas krājumu iegādāties, lūgums sazināties ar dzejnieku Māri Reinbergu, rakstot uz epastu:  mare7@inbox.lv

 

Details

Tik tuvu tev

Sarma Upesleja un Māris Reinbergs

Latvia:  Self-published,  2012

ISBN . ISBN 978998449389

July date set for showcasing of Latvian groups in Netherlands

Latvia is the home of diverse music groups and many now have the chance to showcase their talents outside Latvia’s borders.

Latvian indie group Gaujarts, art-rock band Mona de Bo, ska-punk Mango, guitarist Reinis Jaunais with his experimental jazz-rock fusion, philosopher cum singer Imants Daksis and electro-duo Kodek are all teaming together in the Netherlands on July 12th at Amstelveen’s pop music venue P60 – Podium for Pop & Culture.

The event, called “Out in Riga”, will appeal to Latvians living and travelling in the Netherlands but it is sure to also draw in local Dutch crowds, showing music-lovers in this part of Europe that Latvia can produce a range of unique and high-quality music for the younger crowd. More information on this event can be found at www.p60.nl

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Art-rock band Mona de Bo performing. Photo: Sandis Vāgners.

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Guitarist Reinis Jaunais’ passion is experimental jazz-rock fusion.Photo: Daniela Kicic.

Daina Gross is editor of Latvians Online. An Australian-Latvian she is also a migration researcher at the University of Latvia, PhD from the University of Sussex, formerly a member of the board of the World Federation of Free Latvians, author and translator/ editor/ proofreader from Latvian into English of an eclectic mix of publications of different genres.