Next week, on November 7, the legacy of Soviet philosophy in the intellectual space of Latvia will be discussed as part of the section "Philosophy in Latvia (1944-1991): Conversions and Breaks," organized by the Latvian Academy of Culture (LKA), the event organizers reported.
Researchers will share the results of their studies and reflections on the legacy of the Soviet era in philosophical thought in Latvia, the interconnection between literature and Soviet philosophy, the fates of intellectuals, and their roles in totalitarian regimes. The speakers will also examine the latest trends and methodological challenges in researching the Soviet experience.
Researchers have focused on aspects of philosophical, cultural, and artistic life during the Soviet period, analyzing sources of intellectual history, the practice of criticism and self-criticism, the fates of cultural figures, and the influence of ideology on the creative environment.
The event will take place at LKA Gara mājā, located at Miera iela 58a, Riga.
The series of conferences will conclude at 19:00 with the event "Self-Criticism of Soviet Philosophers: A Performative Discussion" at "Stūra mājā" on Brīvības Street in Riga. Performative self-critical presentations by philosophers Pauls Dāle and Milda Paleviča will be featured. Following the presentations, there will be a discussion on the role of intellectuals in such a system. Actors Daiga Kažociņa and Kārlis Reiers will participate in the presentation. The discussion will be led by Andris Hiršs, Andrey Balodis, and Ainārs Kamoliņš.
In November, a series of conversations titled "The Project Comments" will also begin, during which video reports featuring project participants and invited guests – researchers in the fields of culture, art, and humanities – will be published every two weeks. The conversations will address the visible and invisible presence of the Soviet legacy in the modern public space of Latvia. The video series will be available on the LKA YouTube channel.
The research "Conversions and Breaks: Epistemic Strategies of Latvian Philosophy in the Soviet Period (1944-1991)" is funded by the Latvian Science Council under the program for supporting fundamental and applied research.
