Marks Sāmiesis released his poetry collection titled Atgriešanās tagadnē, fulfilling a dream with a launch event blending written verse and rock music, according to a report on the book’s release. The project was brought to completion with support from the initiative Proti un dari 2.0 and mentorship from Gunita Šternberga of the Kuldīga Social Service.
Poetry Meets Rock Music at Debut Launch Event
The release event for Atgriešanās tagadnē featured live readings alongside musical performances, uniting spoken word and rock elements. Dace Priede read a selection of the poems to the audience, while Sāmiesis performed both well-known rock songs and original compositions. The showcase also included a musical contribution from the author’s mother, Anita Sāmiete, who played the violin alongside the Padure vocal-instrumental ensemble Harmonija. Miks Galvanovskis sent virtual greetings to mark the occasion, and his song Par savu zemi saukt was performed by Sāmiesis during the programme.
Four-Month Mentorship and Project Development
According to mentor Gunita Šternberga, cooperation with Sāmiesis began on March 16 and spanned a four-month period of intensive work. Šternberga stated that Sāmiesis consistently voiced his ambition to publish a book during their initial meetings, which prompted the decision to focus efforts on making that goal a reality. Sāmiesis managed the selection process for the publication independently, curating the material from roughly 700 poems written since 2018. Following the curation phase, Šternberga coordinated production logistics with the printing house Māras druka.
Did you know?
The visual design for Atgriešanās tagadnē was developed with the assistance of artificial intelligence, featuring imagery of the same individual meeting across different periods in time, according to the author.
Themes and Creative Process Behind the Collection
The collection explores themes centered on love, homeland, and fellow human beings. Sāmiesis stated that he began writing poetry in 2018 and compiled the final book from approximately 700 drafted works. Among the selections, a particular piece is dedicated to actress Elīna Bojarkina, reflecting the author’s approach of writing dedicated verses for acquaintances. The title Atgriešanās tagadnē was chosen well in advance of the publication date, which the author deemed the appropriate moment for release. The cover art displays multiple versions of the same person from different life stages coming together.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Marks Sāmiesis start writing poetry?
According to the author, he has been writing poetry since 2018, accumulating a total of roughly 700 poems before selecting the pieces for his debut book.
What support system helped publish the book?
The collection was published with the backing of the Proti un dari 2.0 project and guidance from mentor Gunita Šternberga, who works at the Kuldīga Social Service.
Who printed the poetry collection?
The printing and production process was coordinated with the printing house Māras druka.
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