On History and Development Perspectives of the Digital Archive of Latvian Folklore 'garamantas.lv'

• In Event: Digital Humanities and Language Technology

Abstract

For almost a hundred years since its establishment in 1924, the Archives of Latvian Folklore (ALF) have accumulated a considerable amount of intangible cultural heritage data, mainly in the form of hand-written manuscripts, audio and video recordings, photographs, and other materials. This archive operates as a separate department at the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia and is considered to be the oldest, central and largest folklore archiving institution in Latvia.
In 2014, with the aim of making ALF materials more widely available for both research and general reference, its digital archive garamantas.lv was created. Started as a digital solution for publishing materials of one archive, garamantas.lv has considerably expanded over the years, broadening its functionality and providing a basis for creating new digital resources, ensuring public involvement in data processing, etc.
Looking back at the preconditions for garamantas.lv creation and its development so far, in this presentation we will reflect on the dual role and importance of digital resources for humanities: first, on the impact of digital resources and tools on research directions and methods; secondly, on ways how to use the digital resource to build collaboration with the general public, both in the collaborative development of this resource and in raising general awareness of research and source materials.

Short Bio

Sanita Reinsone, Dr.philol., is a researcher at the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art (University of Latvia), head of the Digital Humanities Group (since 2016) and was leading the development of the Digital Archives of Latvian Folklore 'garamantas.lv' since its establishment in 2014 to 2020. Her research interests deal with both autobiographical narrative studies and digital humanities scholarship, especially digital participatory methods.

Sandis Laime, Dr. philol., is a researcher at the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art (University of Latvia). Since 2021 serves as the head of the Digital Archives of Latvian Folklore 'garamantas.lv'. Laime's research interests deal with belief narratives, place lore and Latvian witchcraft belief system.

Authors

• Sanita Reinsone, Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art, University of Latvia

• Sandis Laime, Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art, University of Latvia