Illustration: Latvian Arts & Crafts Exhibition Catalogue, 1937.
1937 saw the first Latvian Arts & Crafts Exhibition. It was held for a month between February and March and was organised by the Chamber of Crafts and Trades. Like most exhibitions of this kind, there were various and sometimes not always immediately apparant reasons for the exhibition. One of the more obvious reasons was as a showcase to highlight home produced modern art and crafts. This inevitably gave the country an opportunityto emphasise to the world at large that they were aware of and part of the contemporary world of art and design. This was more acute as regards Latvia which had only been independent from the Russian Empire for a matter of twenty years. It gave the vulnerable small European state with its now hugely volatile Soviet neighbour, the opportunity to highlight its independence to the rest of Europe. However, there was also ample room to advertise and promote the long history of traditional crafts and the unique contribution of Latvia to art and design. But like many of these exhibitions, it was also hoped that some form of trade would result from the publicity.
The exhibition also highlighted the contemporary work of Latvian artists, craftsman and architects. There was a strong showing by makers of textiles, with an emphasis on weaving skills, and also included wood carving, metalwork, jewellery, and ceramics.
The actual printed catalogue that was produced for the exhibition, contained over two hundred pictures of home produced objects and had an in depth introduction to Latvian arts and crafts, both contemporary and traditional, and a number of supporting essays by various professionals.
This must have been a difficult time for Latvia politically and culturally. It was literally wedged in between the Soviet and Nazi spheres and would have had difficulty treading a path between the two opposing though mutually dogmatic systems. The Arts & Crafts Exhibition of 1937 gave Latvia a chance to underline their distinctive and unique culture which was independent of both the dominating Russian and German cultures. By emphasising not only the contemporary, but the long history of traditional crafts of the country, Latvia must have hoped to be recognised on the international stage as having a legitimate and memorable European identity, rather than, as the Soviet regime saw them, an aberration that would be re-incorporated into Russia at the earliest opportunity.
The hoped for heightened profile didn't work. After a mere twenty years of independence, Latvia was re-occupied by the Russians, only to be occupied by the Germans a year later and then re-occupied by the Russians again three years later. The Russians were to stay for the next forty five years.
Further reading links:
Latvian Heritage - Culture, History, Perspectives
Lonely Planet Estonia Latvia & Lithuania (Multi Country Guide)
Exile From Latvia: My WWII Childhood - From Survival to Opportunity
The Food and Cooking of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania: Traditions, Ingredients, Tastes and Techniques in 60 Classic Recipes
Latvia, 5th (Bradt Travel Guide)
A Joy Forever: Latvian Weaving: Traditional and Modified Uses
Latvian Mittens: Traditional Designs & Techniques
LATVIAN DREAMS, Knitting From Weaving Charts
Latvian Weaving Techniques
Folk Knitting in Estonia: A Garland of Symbolism, Tradition and Technique (Folk Knitting series)
