'Rakstivāls' festival champions writing this weekend

This year, creative activities in Līgatne will await their authors on August 9. Writer and festival organizer Inga Žolude will talk about the broad boundaries of writing while poet Pēteris Draguns, will give a lecture "Inspiration and Sweat in the Creation of Poetry" at "Rakstivāla". "We want to go in all directions, expand the horizons of how we look at writing. That is why it is not a festival of writing, but a festival of writing," Inga Žolude told Latvian Radio. "Writing is a process that cannot focus solely on the author and his or her person. This festival features various workshops and opportunities that allow you to gain ideas not only about what to write, but also how to write," Draguns believes. He has attended the festival as a guest in previous years, but this year he will also give a lecture himself, which is intended for beginners and those interested in writing, as well as professional authors. In his opinion, this is one of the charms of "Rakstivāls" - different people from different professional fields meet here, and everyone can not only have a good time, but also discover, learn and reflect on things. The festival has several thematic directions, one of which is education, so this year the festival especially welcomes both future and current students with their families, as well as teachers themselves. "A special program is intended, first of all, for educators, because we know that a few years ago a new subject "Creative Writing" appeared in schools. This subject is taught by Latvian language and literature teachers, most of whom have never written anything themselves. Of course, the goal is not to turn everyone into writers, but rather that we can look at writing in an interdisciplinary way, because many workshops synthesize the written word with other areas, for example, with movement, voice, visual art. And through these experiments, we can all look at writing from a broader perspective," says Inga Žolude. Throughout the day, educators will have the opportunity to attend lectures as well as creative workshops. The events will promote understanding of the many different ways creative writing can be both taught and applied in everyday life. A specially prepared programme awaits students as well - during the festival, children will be able to make their own comics and 'zines, go for a walk around Līgatne with ornithologist and writer Viesturs Ķera, and participate in various activities with their parents. Pēteris Draguns believes that writing is important for everyone, because it promotes thinking: "The written word is the basis for thinking. By developing thinking, we can also develop our other means of expression." Full details: https://www.rakstivals.lv/rakstivals-en