The richly illustrated edition was created as a museum exhibition catalog, which explores both photographs and historical images of the magnificent wreaths from different periods, as well as research articles and contemporary poetry written especially for the exhibition.
The book includes most of the museum’s collection and exhibited in the exhibition – about 40 archaeological and 100 ethnographic crowns. For the first time, research articles provide detailed information about the traditions of their manufacture and wearing, starting from the 6th/7th century. century alternating until the 19th century. The restoration challenges faced by museum specialists in their efforts to carefully restore the original appearance of historical objects are also discussed. The details and photo enlargements highlighted in the pictures allow you to get to know the materials used in the making of wreaths and the making practices more closely.
The publication also examines the role of the crown in folklore, wedding traditions, Christmas and fashion, its importance as a symbol of recognition, power and nobility. The book also reads about the representation of the crown in Latvian visual art, where it was initially expressed within the boundaries of the traditional cultural code, but in the 21st century, as the content interpretations became more and more bold, it became an object of creativity and fashion, embodying socially relevant topics. This is confirmed by the 25 contemporary crown variations created for the exhibition of the newest generation of artists of the Latvian Academy of Arts and their characteristics, which are included in the book.
Eduards Aivars, Andris Kalnozols, Ilmārs Šlāpins, Ivars Šteinbergs and Krišjānis Zeļgis wrote extensive poetic messages in poetry especially for the exhibition. The writings of these five Latvian poets of different generations have also been published in a book.
The author of the publication’s introduction, poet and publicist Ilmārs Šlāpins emphasized: “When studying the traditions of making and wearing wreaths, one can also see how important the voice of a woman is here. The wreath in Latvia has not played the role of an imposed sign of social status, as we can see in other traditional cultures, where wearing clothing has become a norm of religious obedience. In the design, sophistication and uniqueness of the crown, Latvian women had the opportunity to express themselves creatively, especially in the period when other types of public expression were denied in many ways.”
Book Crowning. Archaeological, ethnographic and contemporary crowns in Latvian culture For the first time in Latvia, a woman’s historical headdress is considered separately from the national costume, and is also viewed in a broader historical and cultural context.
Authors of the published articles: Inita Heinola, Irita Žiere, Elīna Žibiete, Rasma Lezdiņa, Anastasija Silava, Tabita Lapiņa, Sanita Kalna, Mārīte Jakovļeva, Inita Saulīte-Zandere, Anete Karlsone, Anete Simanovska, Anda Ozoliņa. An English summary of the content is also provided.
Compilers of the edition – Astra Spalvēna, Inita Heinola, Irita Žiere. Artist and layout designer – Mārtiņš Plotka, cover design author – Dita Pence. The author of the photos is LNVM photographer Landa Lagzdiņa.
The book uses materials from the Latvian National History Museum, the Latvian National Archives, the State History Archive of Latvia, the academic library of the University of Latvia, the Museum of Literature and Music, and the Nice Antiquities Repository.
The publication was made with the support of the State Cultural Capital Fund.
2023-12-18 12:32:14
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