A Century of Networks: Archives of Latvian Folklore

• In Event: Transformations and Challenges in Memory Institutions: Navigating Museums and Archives in the 21st Century

Abstract

The Archives of Latvian Folklore (Latviešu folkloras krātuve) was established in 1924. The extensive collections, dating from the 19th century to the present day, cover not only Latvian, but also Livonian, German, Belarusian, Jewish, Lithuanian, Estonian, Russian, and Roma folklore captured in handwritten manuscripts, sound and video recordings, notations, drawings, and photographs, as well as born-digital formats. Being among the oldest folklore archives in Europe, this memory institution with UNESCO-recognised documentary heritage has always been an international player. In the 1920s and 1930s, the ALF was involved in collaborative networks with tradition archives from Finland, Estonia, Germany et al. Under Soviet occupation, the circles of academic cooperation were significantly narrowed down to the socialist bloc countries. The wider contacts were rebuilt and created anew in the 1990s after Latvia regained independence. The 21st century and the internet environment offer unprecedented opportunities to work and collaborate nationally and internationally, within and beyond personal contacts.
Exploring the centenary trajectory of the ALF in the broader Baltic Sea region context, this paper will focus on the changes taking place in the folklore archives related to technological developments and digitisation. We will explore how the role of the archives has changed in its engagement with society, and look at the prospects for development in the near future. Addressing the intersection of societal demands and scholarly needs, we aim to contribute to the broader discussion on improving the viability and usability of research collections through digital technologies and participatory methods.

Short Bio

Rita Grīnvalde (Treija), Dr. philol., is a Latvian folklorist. She graduated in folklore studies at the University of Latvia and defended her dissertation, “Anna Bērzkalne’s Activities in Latvian Folkloristics in the Context of International Communication”, in 2013. Her monograph “Anna Bērzkalne” followed in 2018. Currently, she is a senior researcher as well as the head of the Archives of Latvian Folklore at the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia. Her main research interests are: history of folklore studies, cultural policy, written and visual forms of traditional culture.

Sanita Reinsone, PhD, is a senior researcher and head of the DH Research Group at Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia, specializing in digital humanities and folklore studies. Reinsone is a former head of the Digital Archives of Latvian Folklore (garamantas.lv) and a leader of national and international research projects dealing with digital humanities, autobiography heritage, and participatory methods in humanities. She teaches folklore studies and digital humanities courses at the University of Latvia and Riga Technical University. Since February 2022, Reinsone is also coordinating the international volunteer NGO #ScienceForUkraine.

Sandis Laime, Dr. philol., is a folklorist and senior researcher at the Institute of Literature, Folklore, and Art, University of Latvia (ILFA). Since 2021, the Head of ILFA's Digital Infrastructure (humma.lv). Laime's research focuses on Latvian folk beliefs, the development of the Latvian witchcraft belief system, place lore, belief narratives, and digital mapping. He has authored four monographs on Latvian sacred caves and witchcraft beliefs.

Author

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