The idea of such place in Latvia belongs to the writer Nora Ikstena. Thanks to the initiative of the Minister of Culture Helēna Demakova and her successful cooperation with the Mayor of Ventspils Aivars Lembergs and the Director of the Latvian Literature Centre Marta Dziļuma, the Ventspils House will be the place for a creative work of writers and translators.
 
On Friday, June 30 at 11.30 a.m. the opening of the International Writers' and Translators' House starts with a press conference in which participate: Helēna Demakova (the Minister of Culture), Nora Ikstena (a writer and a member of the board of  Latvian Literature Centre), Aivars Lembergs (the chairman of Ventspils City Council), Aldis Ābele (the deputy managing director in education, sport and culture issues of Ventspils City Council) and Andra Konste (the director of the Ventspils House).
 
At 1.45 p.m., the Minister of Culture and the chairman of Ventspils City Council are going to deliver their speeches on Ventspils City Square. After that the chairman of Ventspils City Council will give the keys to the director of  the International Writers' and Translators' House. The first writers-residents (Juris Kronbergs, Jānis Rokpelnis, Knuts Skujenieks from Latvia; Sass Henno from Estonia; Vladas Braziunas from Lithuania; Hose Luis Reina Palazon from Spain and Li Li from China) will be welcomed at the Ventspils House.
 
The foundation goal of the International Writers' and Translators' House is to create an international multifunctional  centre for writers and translators in Latvia which would further the development of literature, favour the intercultural dialogue and let the literary processes of Latvia become a part of international processes, as well as to promote the decentralization of literature development processes in Latvia creating an adequate cultural environment also in the regions of Latvia.
 
The House is set up in the historical Town Hall, which was built in the 18th century and is situated in the Old Town, the historical centre of the town, next to the new Library of Ventspils. The building has been rebuilt and adjusted to the needs of creative work and literary activities. The House holds 7 residential premises: a computer room, a reading room, a kitchen, a parking lot, a small garden, and recreational premises. Ventspils City Council has given writers and translators the rights to use these premises for 40 years.
 
The Ventspils House offers writers and translators:

 

• a place for creative work in one of the most beautiful towns of Latvia at the coast of the Baltic Sea;
• an opportunity to live and work at the Ventspils House for up to 4 weeks;
• to discover Ventspils – a town, where history meets future, and the coast of the Baltic Sea – one of the most lovely and inspiriting coastlines in the Baltics;
• to meet writers from Latvia, the Baltic States, Europe and other parts of the world;
• a possibility to participate in creative cooperation projects – festivals, seminars etc.

 

The Ventspils House also offers the premium of EUR 214 (LVL 150) for creative literary work living in the residence up to four weeks. Every professional writer and translator is invited to apply for the premium.
 
The House is open for seminars, conferences, experience exchange workshops and other creative events.

 

For additional information, please contact the director of the Ventspils House Andra Konste (andra.konste@ventspilshouse.lv; phone +371 29207353) or the international project coordinator Ieva Balode (ieva.balode@ventspilshouse.lv; phone +371 26449426).
 
Address:
International Writers' and Translators' House
13 Annas Street,
Ventspils, LV-3601
Latvia

 

Homepage:
www.ventspilshouse.lv