Summer Schools – Centre for Latvian Studies of Daugavpils University - NEWS 2025

International Summer School 2025 “Latvia’s Cultural Canon” has been implemented successfully

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:20:00 +0000

For the ninth time, Centre for Latvian Studies of Daugavpils University has successfully hosted International Latvian language and culture summer school which brought together 10 enthusiastic foreign students, researchers, and lecturers from around the world, who were awarded scholarships by State Education Development Agency of Latvia.

PHOTO GALLERY

Participants in the 2025 Summer school “Latvia’s Cultural Canon” came from Indonesia, Spain, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Peru, Austria, Vietnam, Kenya, China and Italy. The selection was highly competitive – 197 applicants competed for 10 spots.

The summer school programme took place from 5 to 14 July, 2025 and consisted of two modules: Latvian as a Foreign Language and Latvia’s Cultural Canon.

The school began with the Latvian language module at Daugavpils University, where students improved their language skills through immersive activities, exploring the city's cultural and historical sites.

Participants also met with Prof. Inese Kokina, Vice-Rector for Studies at Daugavpils University, and Dr. paed. Mārīte Kravale-Pauliņa, Acting Dean of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Participants of summer school travelled to Rainis' House in Berķenele, where they not only became acquainted with the facets of the Latvian literary master Rainis personality and the close connection with Latvian culture and the state, but also became involved in the events of the Latvian Solstice “Jāņi” traditions. They also explored the Ukrainian artist Olena Riumina’s folk costume exhibition “Memory Code” and participated in ethnographic jewelry and wreath-making workshops conducted by Rainis’ House in Berķenele Director Inese Baravika. They also served the dinner table together, tasted the traditional Jāņi dishes of Latvians, and enjoyed the evening together.

Further excursions led the group to other cultural sites in the Latgale region. At the Kraslava Craft Centre, they learned about Latgale’s pottery traditions and made clay whistles (svilpaunieki). In the Bread Museum, each participant baked their own loaf of rye bread. At the horse farm “Klajumi”, they discovered the traditional Latvian homestead as a Cultural canon value.

A significant aspect of the canon – the Latvian landscape – was explored during trips to the mysterious Čertoks Lake and the Vasargelišķi viewing tower, which offers a breathtaking view of Daugava River bends, as depicted on the 10 lats banknote.

As the exploration of the Latvia’s Cultural Canon continued, special emphasis was placed on visiting religious sites, such as the Aglona Basilica. Participants also explored contemporary expressions of traditional crafts at the Christ the King Hill.

Participants shared their own countries’ cultural canons during the seminar “International Cultural Canon,” discussing cross-cultural communication, similarities and differences between cultures, and how the idea of a cultural canon manifests globally.

During a film night, participants watched the Oscar-winning animated film “Flow”, which has the potential to become a value of Latvia’s Cultural Canon in the future.

The final days of the summer school took place in Rīga and Jūrmala. A highlight of the cultural experience was attending the Grand Dance concert “I Opened Laima’s Garden” in BTA Daugava Stadium at the XIII Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival.

In Riga, participants of the summer school took a tour, getting to know the most important places, events and personalities included in the Latvia’s Culture Canon, as well as visiting Riga Central market and the National Library of Latvia, the top floor of which opens view to the value of the Latvia’s Culture Canon – the silhouette of Old Riga. In the National Library, special attention was paid to the value of the Cultural Canon – Latvian Folksongs (Dainas), symbolized by the original index of Dainas – the Cabinet of Folksongs (Dainu skapis) , in which Krisjanis Baron accumulated and arranged the lyrics of the songs at his disposal.

In Jūrmala, participants immersed themselves in the legacies of Aspazija and Rainis. At the sculpture “Rainis’ Pines” by Kristaps Gulbis – located in a spot beloved by the poet and inspired by his poem “The Broken Pine Trees” – participants read the poem’s translations in eight languages. They also enjoyed the seacoast landscape, a valued element of the cultural canon.

The summer school incorporated interactive learning methods, such as intellectual games. These activities, like the rest of the cultural module, were led by researchers Evita Badina and Žans Badins from the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Daugavpils University. Eco-design activities were conducted by guest lecturer Zaiga Lāce.

Meanwhile, under the guidance of Prof. Maija Burima and Bch. Diāna Skuķe, students took an intensive A0–A1 level Latvian as a foreign language course, covering basic grammar and vocabulary, as well as doing practical reading, writing, listening and speaking exercises. The acquired knowledge was reinforced during lessons, excursions, field studies, and daily interactions. At the end of the course, students took a final language test.

Representatives from the State Education Development Agency visited the summer school in person to observe its activities and language classes.

Participants evaluated the programme very positively, praising both the organisers and the hospitality, openness and optimism of the Latvian people and culture professionals.

Kevin Masinde, Kenya: “In my country, almost no one speaks Latvian. This summer school is a unique opportunity to learn the language and share my culture. The flight to Latvia was long, but I didn’t feel tired—only joyful and excited to be here.”

Rebecca Gigli, Italy: “I’m very happy to be in Latvia—it’s a wonderful and enriching experience. I hope more people visit this country, which has interesting places and friendly people. Latvia won’t disappoint you.”

Malahat Valiyeva, Azerbaijan: “I recommend everyone to visit Latvia and experience this summer school. I really liked the teachers, the atmosphere, and the country itself. I will definitely return with my family.”

Nikolai Markovic, Austria: “I came to explore the Baltic states, which were unfamiliar to me. I appreciate this opportunity, and the teachers deserve credit for how much we’ve learned in such a short time.”

Other participants also highlighted the programme’s original and innovative design, its diverse teaching methods, and the high-level organisation.

All participants received certificates worth 6 ECTS credits for successfully completing both modules.

The aim of the summer school “Latvian Cultural Canon” is to develop an understanding of the canon as a tool for evaluating and classifying cultural phenomena, and to explore how regional values are reflected in the national canon. It also integrates the study of Latvian cultural phenomena and language at the A1 level.

The summer school is coordinated by the Latvian Studies Centre at Daugavpils University. Team members include: Prof. Maija Burima (Head of Summer school), researcher Evita Badina, researcher Žans Badins, Diāna Skuķe, and Ilmārs Mežaraups.

You can follow updates about the international summer schools on the programme’s website, Facebook and TikTok pages.

This project is financially supported by the State Education Development Agency.

More information:
Dr. philol., Prof. Maija Burima
Head of the Centre for Latvian Studies
maija.burima@du.lv
+371 29789096

197 submissions from 27 countries mark the end of application round

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 08:52:00 +0000

Daugavpils University Centre for Latvian Studies Summer School Team is delighted to inform that 197 applications from across the globe have been submitted by April 1 in Summer School scholarship contest 2025.

Applications were submitted from a record-high number of states. Students and academic staff from 27 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas have expressed their interest in participation in the summer school: Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, People’s Republic of China, Ethiopia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Poland, Peru, Spain, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.

The evaluation team now faces a challenging task ahead, as the competition will be fierce – only 10 scholarships are available for Summer school participants.

The applicants will be informed about the results very soon.

Although application for scholarship in this year’s contest has ended, we encourage the applicants who did not participate in the contest or are not granted the state scholarship, register to participate for charge.

To learn more about fees and conditions for charged participation, follow this link: https://summerschool.mozello.lv/2025/charge/

REGISTER HERE: https://summerschool.mozello.lv/2025/charge-form/

Stay tuned for further updates on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LVsummerschool

Summer school is organized by Daugavpils University Centre for Latvian Studies.

This project has been funded with support from State Education Development Agency of the Republic of Latvia

Open Call for Applications to Summer School 2025

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 18:25:00 +0000

Daugavpils University Centre for Latvian Studies is happy to welcome international students and academic staff of higher education to participate in the 9th Latvian Language and Culture Summer School "Latvia's Cultural Canon". The programme will take place across several locations of Latvia from 5 to 14 July, 2025.

Centre for Latvian Studies of Daugavpils University, which based on the competition has acquired the right to organize this school for the ninth time, is an experienced summer school implementer with a creative, professional and responsive team,

Bachelor, Master and Doctoral students and academic and research staff of higher education institutions from 43 countries are eligible to apply for Latvia State scholarship.

This Summer School aims to raise awareness of the concept of cultural canon, its adaptation to the evaluation and classification of cultural phenomena. It focuses on Latvia’s cultural canon as a tool for institutionalising cultural values. The programme offers integrated learning of Latvian cultural canon values and Latvian language skills at A1 level.

The summer school offers:

To get acquainted with the international experience of the definition and interpretation of the cultural canon;
To describe the history, principles, structure of the creation of the Latvian cultural canon, analyse examples of each Latvian cultural canon industry;
To acquire Latvian skills at A1 level, to use Latvian language in communication during practice, tours and field studies.

Summer school 2025 programme is available here.

Students completing the course will be issued a certificate of attendance (6 ECTS).

To apply for scholarship applicants have to fill in the online application form, add curriculum vitae and motivation letter where the reasons for choice of this Summer School and its programme are indicated (2000 – 3000 characters with spaces). The application is open by April 1, 2025!

Selection of candidates will be made by the organizers of the Summer school from Daugavpils University depending on motivation letters, in which the organizers will pay special attention to the reasons why the applicants have been attracted to the programme of our Summer School.

The final decision on granting scholarships will be made by the evaluation committee of the State Education Development Agency Republic of Latvia. Daugavpils University Centre for Latvian Studies will inform all applicants on the results.

Scholarships will be granted to 10 students after having evaluated the application forms, motivation letters and curriculum vitae.

Students from the following countries only are eligible to apply: Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium (Federation Wallonia - Brussels), Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenia, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Lithuania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Namibia, Peru, Poland, Senegal, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Tajikistan, The People's Republic of China, The United States of America, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.

Costs: Scholarship covers accommodation, catering, lectures, workshops, field studies, study tours, and all cultural activities. Scholarship does not cover travel, visa and insurance costs (participants have to cover travel expenses from the country of origin to the Summer School location themselves).

Contacts:

Prof. Maija Burima
Head of Centre for Latvian Studies
Phone: +371 29789096
E-mail: summerschool@du.lv
Summer school’s platform: http://summerschool.mozello.lv/

This project has been funded with support from State Education Development Agency of the Republic of Latvia

Centre for Latvian Studies to organize Summer School 2025

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 14:40:00 +0000

In the annual State Education Development Agency of Republic of Latvia summer school project contest Daugavpils University Centre for Latvian Studies has won financial support for organization of Latvian language and culture summer school in 2025 with the programme “Latvia’s Cultural Canon”.

In the annual State Education Development Agency competition, 6 out of 12 applications were supported and 10 scholarships for international students and academic staff will be granted.

More updates and information on application procedures will follow by February 1, 2025.

Summer School “Latvia’s Cultural Canon” aims to raise awareness of the concept of cultural canon, its adaptation to the evaluation and classification of cultural phenomena. It focuses on Latvia’s cultural canon as a tool for institutionalising cultural values. The programme offers integrated learning of Latvian cultural canon values and Latvian language skills at A1 level.

The School will be coordinated by Daugavpils University Centre for Latvian Studies.

This projected is funded with support from State Education Development Agency of the Republic of Latvia.

More information:
Head of Centre for Latvian Studies
Dr. philol., prof. Maija Burima
summerschool@du.lv