Romanian artist illustrates Pumpura’s “Lāčplēsi” and raises funds for publishing a book / Article / LSM.lv

The epic of Andrejs Pumpurs was written in the second half of the 19th century about the time when the mythical image Lāčplēsis is going to fight the invaders. Its content and images have inspired the Romanian artist Bogdan Gargaric, who created his Laimdota, Spidola, Lāčplēsis and the Black Knight. Extensive works were completed in two years. In order to publish the book as luxurious as intended, the English version of “Lāčplēsis” with new illustrations tries to attract donors to the crowd funding platform.

Romanian artist and graphic artist Bogdan Gargarica studied in Riga for a year within the framework of the “Erasmus” project, also fell in love with our history. “I was fascinated by Latvian culture, mostly national romanticism. So I decided to illustrate a story, and that’s how I found “Lāčplēsi”, “says Gargarica.

The artist has also received permission from the author of the English version of the epic Artūrs Kropleis to publish the work. “This is an Australian author who translated it a few years ago. I contacted him and he immediately agreed to cooperate and gave permission to use his translation. He is fascinated by both the epic itself and its characters, ”Gargarica knows.

The artist is especially attracted to the image of Spidala: “I have also drawn Spidala more than other characters. I like her, although at times there is an evil image. Because she becomes the leader of Lāčplēsis. ”

But the image closest to his heart is Thunder: “It is full of courage, full of historical facts and visually so saturated. It just needs illustrations. ”

However, it takes resources to publish a book as intended by the author. Therefore, the book as a project applied to the crowd funding platform.

We want to publish it “offset”, it’s expensive. This book is currently on the crowd funding platform Kikstarter. We need nine thousand Canadian dollars to spend it. We have collected half, but there are only two weeks left on this platform, ”says Gargarica.

When the pandemic ends, the author also promises an exhibition in Riga and will definitely bring the book itself.

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