The first Latvian Presidency cultural event is opened

Created on 2013-12-04

From November 23, 2013 until February 2, 2014, the art museum Rīgas Birža will have an exhibit from the Latvian National art museum collection “Iespaidi un paralēles” which will display 20th century Belgian and Latvian painting. In second half of 2014, the exhibition will also be presented in two Belgian cities – Liège and La Louviere. The exhibit begins a series of Presidency Cultural and Public Diplomacy Program events that will occur throughout 2014 and 2015.

The exhibit “Iespaidi un paralēles” reflects late 1920’s Latvian art using Belgian aesthetic qualities, which became popular in the 1930’s and brought about the “Belgian Style” in local painting. Although the Latvian artists were influenced by contemporary French authors, Europe’s old masters, and others, Latvian art historians usually highlight the significant importance of the Belgian influence on Latvian art which overshadows other influences.

The Presidency Cultural and Public Diplomacy Program is a unique series of events to present Latvian cultural traditions and their continuation today as well as the development of new ideas, incentives, and a productive industry. The cultural programme events will take place in Latvia, EU member states, as well as other areas of the world.

Image: Jānis Tīdemanis (1897-1964) Meitene tautas tērpā (Girl in folk dress) Oil on wood LNMM collection. Photo: Normunds Braslinš