Baltic Lives:
An Exploration of Latvian History
Come on a unique journey through Latvian history. Walk the streets of Riga and witness the rise of urban industry. Experience the glory of Empire and witness sail turn to steam. Feel the devastation of war and the thrill of freedom. The journey is just beginning…
The Old City of Riga along the Daugava River in the 1890s (Wikimedia Commons)
In the winter of 1897, a census was taken across the entire Russian Empire....
The Okte Manor house c. 2001 (Wikimedia Commons: J. Sedols)
As evening set in on a frigid day in mid-December, with the winter sun already hidden away,...
Lāčupes cemetery in winter (cemety.lv)
Lāčupes cemetery is a serene wooded oasis just north of the industrial neighborhood of Iļģuciems in Riga,...
Nicholas II and his family with the Mayor of Riga (on the right) George Armistead during the visit in July 1910 (photo from vintage postcard image)
For...
Daugavpils Prison today (Wikimedia Commons: Glossologist)
An imposing white brick building rises four stories high in the center of Daugavpils City....
Krišjānis Valdemārs (Wikimedia Commons -Carl Schulz)
In 1864, the famous Latvian scholar and nationalist, Krišjānis Valdemārs, founded a school in the...
St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in 1865 (Wikipedia Commons)
St. Martin’s Lutheran Church is one of the most prominent churches in Riga. Until...
Skyline of Iļģuciems c. 1910 (photo held by the Latvian National Library)
The neighbourhood of Iļģuciems on the west bank of the Daugava River in Riga...
Aspazija c. 1912 (Wikimedia Commons)
Aspazija is the pen name of writer, poet and playwright, Elza Rozenberga. Aspazija is one of the most famous Latvians...
Žanis (John) Zekants in Germany in 1946 (photo in private family collection)
Žanis (John) Zekants is the link between all the family lines in this story....