The Annual Latvian Literary Award (ALLA) poetry reading will take place on April 9, 2019 at 6 pm at the Rainis and Aspazija House (Baznīcas iela 30, Rīga). Participants will include the authors of the most significant poetry collections published in 2018: Inga Gaile, Gunta Šnipke, Liāna Langa, Arvis Viguls, as well as the modern Livonian poets and recipients of the ALLA special prize for outstanding contributions to literature – Baiba Damberga, Valts Ernštreits, and Ķempi Kārl – and also Dainis Deigelis who is making his poetry debut. The event will be hosted by poet Inga Pizāne. Entry to the event is free of charge.

Valts Ernštreits.
Photo from the “Trilium/Trillium” poetry collection

Ķempi Kārl.
Photo from the “Trilium/Trillium” poetry collection

The Annual Latvian Literary Award (in Latvian: Latvijas Literatūras gada balva or LaLiGaBa) is the most significant annual event in Latvian literature, which ensures that literary works are professionally evaluated and that the authors of the most outstanding works from the previous year receive recognition. The Annual Latvian Literary Award will be presented on April 25, 2019 at 6 pm at Sūkņu stacija in Rīga located at Maskavas iela 196. The award recipients will receive a monetary award as well as a special Annual Latvian Literary Award lamp – designed by the design studio “MĀJO” – which emphasises the role of books as symbols of light.

Baiba Damberga.
Photo: Ģirts Raģelis