An intimate author night will blend folklore, fieldwork stories and humour while raising funds for community and humanitarian projects.
In Riga, the organization Tavi draugi is hosting a charity author evening to support residents of Ukraine and Latvia. According to the organizers, the event will take place on Thursday, May 7, at the charity shop located at 32 Gertrudes Street.
Admission to the event is free, however visitors will have the opportunity to purchase books by both authors for donations. All funds raised from the sale of books will be directed to charitable projects supporting residents of Ukraine and Latvia.
Evening format: topics and participants
The author evening is envisioned as an informal discussion about the University of Latvia’s expeditions to Ukraine, books, folklore, spiritual development, and how serious topics can be addressed with humor.
During the gathering, a conversation is planned with literary scholar Professor Janīna Kursīte regarding the books “Dainu kodekss”, “Latviešu dievības un gari” and “Latvijas kultūrvienības jeb mazie novadi”.
They will also discuss books by the publisher, publicist, and author Māris Mičerevičs, “Septiņas dienas Miltiņu karaļvalstī” and “Vai viegli būt garenam”. The children’s book “Septiņas dienas Miltiņu karaļvalstī” has been published in Ukrainian and Polish and won the main prize from the Zvaigzne ABC publishing house in the children’s literature category. The book “Vai viegli būt garenam” was written by the author together with his dachshund Fridu, and the illustrations were created by cartoonist Gatis Šluuka.
The charity shop Tavi draugi operates as a platform that turns material donations into financial aid for charitable projects. Here you can find clothing, footwear, accessories, tableware, books, home decor items, works of art, and souvenirs from Latvia and Ukraine. The space regularly hosts educational events and thematic evenings to raise funds and strengthen the community.
The Tavi draugi organization also provides humanitarian aid to residents of Ukraine, both in Latvia and in Ukraine, by engaging volunteers, civil initiatives, and companies in its relief efforts. In addition, it supports people in difficult life circumstances in Latvia and responds to crisis situations upon request.
According to the Latvian-Ukrainian choir of the charity organization “Tavi draugi” (“Your Friends”), the concert at Riga Cathedral was held to raise funds for Christmas gifts for children in Ukraine. Such initiatives highlight the close ties between culture, charity, and mutual support among communities in the region.
All events and activities related to this initiative maintain a warm atmosphere of mutual aid and a focus on strengthening the community in the face of contemporary challenges.