In the spring of this year, the events of the annual Museum Night were canceled throughout Europe, including with us. The possibility of holding them in the autumn, on November 14, was considered. Now it is clear that this time is by no means appropriate for a full-fledged campaign, however, some Latvian museums have focused on Museum Night events online. One of them is the Jānis Akuraters Museum, which will offer even three events in the digital environment on Saturday.
When I arrive at the museum, one of the events will be filmed there, which will be offered on Saturday in the virtual environment by the Akuratera Museum. I see several well-known poets working in the light of the cameras. It turns out that they record the so-called Latvian PEN readings.
PEN is the World Writers’ Union, which aims to promote collaboration among writers around the world and to defend their rights. At one time, one of the leaders of this organization in Latvia was Jānis Akuraters, now it is led by Inga Gaile.
As the poet records her speech, I invite her to a conversation, and she says that Saturday’s PEN readings in the digital environment will be dedicated to the International Day of Prisoners’ Writers, which is celebrated annually on November 15. Latvian poets will read their translated poems by authors from different countries in honor of it.
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