Four Latvian print magazines – “Strāva”, “Tvērums”, “Avīzes Nosakums”, and “Asalwaysunknown” (“AAU”) – are jointly organizing the first “Loneliness Festival” on February 14th.
A Festival Born of Solidarity
The event is designed as an act of solidarity, intended to highlight the challenges faced by publishers of cultural periodicals. Organizers state the festival is a “resistance to the feeling of lack of support” they regularly experience.
What to Expect
The free, all-day event will accept place at the KK von Stricka villa. Attendees can expect a variety of activities, including literary readings, opening ceremonies for new magazine issues, performances, a “Loneliness Cafe”, a poetry disco, a printing workshop, a psycho-performance titled “Session with Publishers. Dirty Laundry”, and concerts.
The festival will also explore diverse perspectives on loneliness, offering opportunities to embrace solitude, seek connection through a dating event, or reflect on loneliness through art.
Industry Challenges and Collaboration
Editors from the participating magazines – Ivars Šteinbergs of “Strāva”, Valters Liberts of “Avīzes Nosakums”, and Katrīna Juhna of “AAU” – discussed the importance of cultural documentation and the difficulties within the industry on Latvian Radio’s “Cultural Rondo”.
Juhna explained that the publications aim to archive stories of artists and their inspirations, creating editions that are both rich in content and visually compelling.
Liberts noted that in 2025, five out of six issues of “Avīzes Nosakums” received funding from the Latvian State Fund for the Promotion of Literature.
Šteinbergs stated that “Strāva” recently celebrated its fourth anniversary and now receives funding from the Latvian Literature Foundation, while also focusing on literary theory and contemporary poetry.
Šteinbergs emphasized that while publishers compete for readers, cooperation is ultimately “more meaningful, more friendly, and ultimately more profitable” than rivalry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Loneliness Festival?
The Loneliness Festival is the first event organized jointly by four Latvian print magazines – “Strāva”, “Tvērums”, “Avīzes Nosakums”, and “Asalwaysunknown” (“AAU”).
When and where will the festival take place?
The festival will be held on February 14th at the KK von Stricka villa and is open to the public for free throughout the day.
What is the purpose of the festival?
The festival is designed as an act of solidarity, highlighting the lack of support for cultural periodical publishers and exploring various attitudes towards loneliness.
As cultural publications navigate a challenging landscape, what role can collaborative efforts play in ensuring their continued vitality?
