Descriptions of workshops, talks and activities

The role of the body and culture in language learning

Can you learn a language through your body? In this discussion, we will explore how dance, movement, music, song and food can inspire us to discover a new language and culture. Snorre Karkonens-Svensons and Jevgeņija Frīdvalde will share their insights into multisensory approaches to language learning.

What’s the point of learning a less widely spoken language?

Why learn a language spoken by relatively few people in everyday life? In a discussion about Nynorsk, Livonian, Latgalian, Võro and Finland Swedish, we will explore the sense of belonging, opportunities and joy that learning a lesser-used language can bring. The discussion will be moderated by Sanita Martena.

Is the traditional language textbook dead?

Apps, videos and other digital tools are now available whenever we want to learn a language. What place does the textbook have in language learning today? We will compare different ways of learning and discuss the role of textbooks. The discussion will be moderated by Signe Kazāka.

What language can’t express?

What can be preserved from an original text in translation, and what must be reshaped or left unsaid? Ingmāra Balode, Vilis Kasims and Līva Kukle-Kalniņa will discuss freedom, precision and faithfulness to the text. The discussion will be moderated by Jūlija Dibovska. The event is supported by the publishing house Latvijas Mediji and the Creative Europe programme.

Human stories: learning Latvian

Have you ever wondered how challenging it is to learn Latvian? Four learners of Latvian will share their experiences: their first words, the difficulties they encountered and the significant moments when Latvian began to become part of their everyday lives. The discussion will be moderated by Vils Mohuds.

Human stories: learning other languages

What motivates someone to start learning a new language, and what inspires them to keep going? Four language learners will share the discoveries that learning a new language has made possible for them. The discussion will be moderated by Sanita Martena.

Writing literature in many languages

What is the writing process like when an author knows more than one language? This discussion will explore the choice of language, creative freedom and whether the same story can be told in the same way in different languages. Participants will include Øyvind Rangøy and Ligija Purinaša.

Ukrainian, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Danish, Belarusian, Livonian and Latgalian language workshops

Discover the sounds of a language and try out your first words and phrases. These workshops are open to anyone who wants to take their first step in learning a language and explore its nuances through creative activities.

The language of visual art: a workshop

Can a visual image express something that is sometimes difficult to put into words? Together with artist Ingrīda Pičukāne, we will explore how visual art helps us express thoughts, experiences and feelings.

Latvian Language Agency workshop for young people

The Latvian Language Agency invites young people to a workshop where they can explore the Latvian language and take part in a variety of creative activities.

Language quiz

Can you recognise a language by its sound, a word or an unexpected clue? In this language quiz hosted by Alise Birnbauma, you can discover something new and put your knowledge of languages to the test.

Language Award ceremony

At the close of the festival, we will honour the recipient of the Language Award and discover which contributions to language the award committee has chosen to recognise this year.

Poetry and music at the “Bolderāja” culture bar

After the festival events, we will set off on a walk through a selection of distinctive bars, accompanied by poetry and music. Afterwards, we will gather at the Bolderāja culture bar for an evening programme featuring poetry readings by Øyvind Rangøy and Ligija Purinaša, as well as a musical performance.

The “Avots” Language Festival is organised by House of Languages in cooperation with the Latvian Language Agency, the University of Latvia’s Livonian Institute, Latvijas Mediji, the “Poetry Midnight”, the Hanaholmen cultural centre, the Võro Institute, Sverigekontakt, the Latgalian cultural movement “Volūda”, the Northern Languages Initiative association, and the Šiaurės kryptimi language school.