** As it is always the case at the last minute, the program had to be slightly adjusted on the day of the event (so the table of time on this page may be a bit different from what you encountered on the spot) – due to health problems, Nora Ikstena couldn’t attend the event, but sent a greeting text instead, which was read to those present by Atis Lejins. However, the surprise promised in the program turned out to be the translator Ieva Lešinska-Geibere, who introduced the audience to an excerpt from her upcoming new translation of “Ulysses” into Latvian!
A G E N D A
(dominant working language: Latvian)
| 16:15 | Gathering and registration of participants |
| 16:30 | Introduction from the author of the initiative – Hon. Doctor of Science (Latvian Academy of Sciences), Member of Latvian Parliament (Saeima) Atis Lejiņš |
| 16:40 | Bloomsday’s traditions in all the world – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ireland to Latvia H. E. Jim Hennessy |
| 17:00 | What is “Ulysses”? The author’s inspiration and work – UL Director of the Baltic Philology program, prof. Ojārs Lāms |
| 17:20 | Personal impressions of reading “Ulysses” during the Soviet occupation and the influence of the work on Latvian language and literature – writer, winner of the A. Upītis’ prize and Hon. Member of Latvian Academy of Sciences Alberts Bels |
| 17:40 | Latvian translation history of “Ulysses” – literary editor, proofreader Arturs Hansons |
| 18:00 | Memories of Dzintars Sodums – writer, author of the novel about Dz. Sodums, “The Man in a Blue Raincoat”, Nora Ikstena |
| 18:15 | Panel discussion on possibility of a new “Ulysses” translation – linguist, translator, Full member of Latvian Academy of Sciences, Professor at the UL Faculty of Humanities Andrejs Veisbergs – lecturer at the Department of English Studies at UL Faculty of Humanities Lauma Terēze Lapa – poet, literature researcher Krista Anna Belševica |
| 18:45 | SURPRISE! |
| 19:00 | Musical performance – Irish and Latvian songs – ethno-musicologist, composer, Doctor of Arts at UL, professor Valdis Muktupāvels and musician, Rector of the Latvian Academy of Culture, professor Rūta Muktupāvela https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ0tX2ysqAM |
| 19:10 | Final words from the organizer, Atis Lejiņš and invitation to join to the next part of the event |
| 19:20 | Bloomsday walk in Riga (in English) – with brief readings from “Ulysses” in suitable locations – journalist, writer and Latvian Public Media English service editor Mike Collier (information about the walking route) |
| 20:30 | The unofficial part of the event at PADDY WHELAN’S Irish pub (Old Riga, Grēcinieku Street 4) where debate can continue – with the participation of the Irish dance studio CEILI RUE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t42_TN1GxsY |
