The project “Towards Development of Open and FAIR Digital Humanities Ecosystem in Latvia” is implemented within the framework of the National Research Programme “Digital Resources of the Humanities”
Project No: VPP-IZM-DH-2022/1-0002
Implementation period: 15.12.2022.– 14.12.2025.
Project funding: EUR 1 217 700
Funded by: Latvian Council of Science of the Ministry of Education and Science
Project partners: Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia, Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Latvia, University of Latvia (UL Livonian Institute and Latvian Language Institute of the University of Latvia), Rēzekne Academy of Technologies, Riga Technical University, National Library of Latvia.
Head of the project: Sanita Reinsone, PhD
Contact e-mail: dh@lulfmi.lv
Recent information: http://www.digitalhumanities.lv/projekti/DHELI
Summary
The aim of the project is to advance digital humanities scholarship in Latvia providing a balanced programme in order to (1) support the development of the existing digital resources and tools intended for humanities avoiding uneven development and enhancing their usage in research and education; (2) prevent fragmentation and unnecessary duplication of DH resources and tools by establishing partnerships and productive alliances between institutions that aggregate similar data; (3) ensure wider visibility, support Open Science and follow FAIR principles, as well as facilitate interoperability of digital resources for humanities and their inclusion in international research infrastructures; (4) promote DH research and education in Latvia, including promoting and strengthening of DH research community in Latvia, and (5) provide necessary guidance for developers of digital resources and tools for humanities, policymakers and decisionmakers, researchers, and other target groups on effective support of digital humanities, development and cooperation.
DHELI project launched to advance digital humanities in Latvia
With the aim to strengthen and develop the humanities in Latvia, a new project of the National Research Programme “Digital Humanities” called “Towards Development of Open and FAIR Digital Humanities Ecosystem in Latvia” or DHELI is being launched at the beginning of this year, with funding from the Science Council of Latvia. The project is coordinated by the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Arts of the University of Latvia with Dr. philol. Sanita Reinsone as its lead, and involves representatives from the National Library of Latvia, Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Latvia Institute of Latvian Language and Livonian Institute, Rēzekne Academy of Technologies, Riga Technical University.
Digital Humanities (DH) is an interdisciplinary area of research that blends fundamental and applied research methods to address questions within the humanities, social sciences, and arts. This field employs computational methods and uses digital resources and tools for data processing, analysis, and visualization. A prime example of the practical application and wide usage of DH is language technology, showcasing the significance of a well-established digital humanities infrastructure that not only supports researchers but also benefits a wider audience.
The DHELI project builds upon the outcomes of the National Research Programme project “Digital Resources for the Humanities: Development and Integration,” which was completed in October 2022. This was the first inter-institutional and interdisciplinary project in Latvia devoted to digital humanities and received an exceptional evaluation from international evaluators, affirming its remarkable impact and successful results.
The DHELI project will advance several fundamental research directions by integrating advanced computational methods into Latvian, Latgalian, and Livonian language corpora and relevant humanities and cultural heritage collections. This integration will encompass a diverse array of disciplines within the humanities, including literary studies, folklore studies, linguistics, history, and more, and lead to a substantial expansion of digital resources that are widely used in research, education and by the general public (e.g. tezaurs.lv, literatura.lv, garamantas.lv, livonian.tech), and specialized resources (such as korpuss.lv, humma.lv, and proza.lnb.lv) that can also be suitable for broader use. Moreover, the DHELI project will elevate Latvia’s standing in the international research arena by strengthening its participation in CLARIN-EU and DARIAH-ERIC European level infrastructures for language technologies and digital humanities.
The DHELI project features an extensive educational component, accessible to both university students and the general public. In July 2023, the 5th International Baltic Summer School on Digital Humanities will be held, offering a platform for individuals to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the field. Furthermore, in partnership with Linnaeus University in Sweden and King’s College London, the RTU International Master’s Degree in Digital Humanities will present a series of guest lectures by prominent scholars in the field of digital humanities. This program offers an unparalleled opportunity for students, researchers, cultural professionals, and others interested in digital humanities to further their education at no cost.
For details regarding the DHELI project and digital humanities in Latvia, kindly visit the website digitalhumanities.lv.
Contact email: dh@lulfmi.lv
The project “Towards Development of Open and FAIR Digital Humanities Ecosystem in Latvia” (No. VPP-IZM-DH-2022/1-0002) is implemented within the framework of the National Research Programme “Digital Humanities”.
ACHIEVED RESULTS:
Scientific conferences and seminars, collections of theses
Soosaar, Sven-Erik, Ernštreits, Valts. Ensuring vocabulary consistency for an under-resourced language with limited data. eLex 2023: Electronic Lexicography in the 21st Century. Brno, Czech Republic, June 27–29, 2023.
Ernštreits, Valts. Lībiešu valodas datu ieguve un tās nākotnes perspektīvas. ClarinLV konference 2023 “Jaunākie valodas resursi un rīki digitālajām humanitārajām zinātnēm” / ClarinLV conference 2023. September 12, 2023.
Kurpniece, Milda. Livonian jussive in an areal context. “Finnic Languages”. Conference on Finnic minority languages and cultures. Dedicated to memory of Tiit-Rein Viitso. University of Tartu, October 6–7, 2023.
Ernštreits, Valts. Building the Future Diversity: the University of Latvia Livonian Institute. 3rd CERN Baltic conference, Riga Technical University, Rīga, Latvia, October 9, 2023.
Ernštreits, Valts, Kurpniece, Milda. A balanced vocabulary without a balanced corpus: the Livonian case. The 29th LIPP Symposium “Small Languages on the Big Stage”, Munich, December 7–10, 2023.
Kurpniece, Milda. Digitālās metodes valodas izmaiņu noteikšanā (lībiešu piemērs). LU 82. Starptautiskās zinātniskās konferences sekcija “Gramatika un valodas elektroniskie resursi”, LU Humanitāro zinātņu fakultāte, Rīga, Latvija, January 31, 2024
Ernštreits, Valts. Livonian.tech platform for the extraction, collection and provision of free-access to the Livonian linguistic and cultural data. Baltic Digital Humanities Forum 2024, University of Latvia, Riga, April 26, 2024.
Ernštreits, Valts. Latvia’s Place Names Heritage and the Official Signage. 3. starptautiskā zinātniskā onomastikas pētījumu konference “Īpašvārdu mainība”, Latvijas Universitātes Latviešu valodas institūts, Rīga, Latvija, May 9-10, 2024
Ernštreits, Valts. Using AI to expand limited linguistic data. International scientific conference “Livonica 3 + Minor Finnic languages 2 = 5”, UL Livonian Institute, Eesti juured, Riga, Latvia, June 26–28, 2024.
Ernštreits, Valts. Endangered Languages and Cultures in the Digital Era. 11th Baltic Student Conference “Bridges in the Baltics”, Vilnius, Vilnius University, October 4–5, 2024.
Ernštreits, Valts. A Balanced Vocabulary Without a Balanced Corpus: The Livonian Case. Baltic Digital Humanities Forum 2024, Riga, University of Latvia, April 26, 2024. Published in “Baltic Journal of Modern Computing”. December 27, 2024
Ernštreits, Valts. Digital Future of Indigenous Languages – a Ground to Prosper or a New Battlefield? 2nd International Conference on Language Technologies for All (LT4All 2025) “Advancing Humanism through Language Technologies “, Paris, UNESCO Headquarters, February 24-26, 2025.
Ernštreits, Valts. Transforming Livonian Folklore Archives into a Multifaceted Digital Resource. Tradition Archives Meet Digital Humanities 2nd workshop, DHNB2025, Tartu, Estonia, March 5–7, 2025.
Ernštreits, Valts. Lībiešu izplatības areāla noteikšana, izmantojot valodas marķierus. Seminar “Gaujas lībiešu mantojuma izpēte 21. gadsimtā: starpdisciplināras metodes vēstures izpētē”. Turaidas muzejrezervāts, Latvija, March 6, 2025
Ernštreits, Valts. Building a Future for Livonian. 14th International Congress for Finno-Ugric Studies (CIFU XIV), University of Tartu, Estonia, August 18–23, 2025.
Ernštreits, Valts. Bridging the Digital Divide: Latvia’s Indigenous Livonian Case. 4th International Conference on Revitalization of Indigenous and Minoritized Languages, Kyoto University, Japan, September 12-14, 2025.
Ernštreits, Valts, Soosaar, Sven-Erik. Liivi keele sõnavara kasvatamine keele kasutuse toetuseks. Soome-ugri keelte ja murrete sügissümpoosion “Soome-ugri kirjakeelte lood”. Tallinn, Estonia, November 13, 2025.
Organized conferences
International interdisciplinary scientific conference “Livonica 3 + Minor Finnic Languages 2 = 5“. The conference was organized by the Livonian Institute of the University of Latvia in collaboration with the Collegium for Transdisciplinary Studies in Archaeology, Genetics and Linguistics at the University of Tartu and Eesti Juured. Internationally renowned scientists in the relevant fields spoke at the conference plenary sessions, including Professor of Archaeogenomics Kristiina Tambets from the University of Tartu, Professor of Finno-Ugric languages Rogier Blokland from Uppsala University, and Professor of Baltic languages Jurgis Pakerys from Vilnius University. The conference took place at the LU Livonian Institute from 26 to 28 June 2024.
Defended doctoral theses
Kurpniece, Milda. The Livonian jussive in the context of the Central-Baltic area. University of Tartu, December 20, 2023. Diploma received 02.12.2024.
Study courses and student involvement
Study course “Livonian Language and Culture” for bachelor’s students in the field of culture at RTU Liepaja Academy; 2023, 2024, 2025.
Lecture course in Erasmus+ programme “REMODUS: Digital Transformation and Internationalization in and beyond Uralic Studies” for master’s and doctoral students; 10–21 April 2023.
Lectures on the Livonian language and its development at the University of Gröningen’s Leuwarden Summer School; July 3–7, 2023.
Student internships. Internships for students of Finno-Ugric studies at the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Latvia; 10.2023, 2024 and 2025.
Seminar for students. Seminar for master’s and doctoral students at Vilnius University; May 6, 2024.
Lectures and seminar for master’s and doctoral students at the Institute of Finno-Ugric/Uralic studies at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich; May 6–7, 2024.
Student internship. Vilnius University student internship July 1 – August 31, 2024
Study program “Livonian Summer University” organized by the University of Latvia Livonian Institute and the University of Tartu Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics. July 25 – August 4, 2024; introduction to Livonian language resources.
Guest lectures for students at Vilnius University. March 17–20, 2025.
Lecture on Livonian language and culture for students at the University of Washington who are studying Latvian culture. April 4, 2025
Students of Finno-Ugric studies from Warsaw University visited the Institute. May 13, 2025
Students and lecturers from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań visited the Institute. May 27, 2025
Involvement in policy initiatives and development
National policy documents. Participation in the development of the implementation plan for the 2021–2027 National Language Policy Guidelines for 2024–2027 (2023). Participation in the development of the Development Plan for Latvian Historical Lands and Cultural Spaces 2022–2027 (2023). Participation in the Working Group for the Development of Latvian Historical Lands and Cultural Spaces (2023, 2024).
International working group. Participation in the UN International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032) Ad Hoc Group on Digital Equality and Domains for Indigenous Languages; co-chair position.
Report of the Cabinet of Ministers to the Saeima (Latvian parliament) on the work done and planned in implementing state language policy. The report also includes sections prepared by us on measures to ensure the vitality of the language of Latvia’s indigenous people, the Livonians. 18.09.2025.
Participation in the first survey on the situation of indigenous languages, development of a section dedicated to digital resources and tools (2024-2025).
Participation in the UN Global Roadmap for Multilingualism in the Digital Age editorial group and in the compilation of the roadmap.
Networking
Expanded cooperation with the NLP group at the University of Tartu and the Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics, the University of Helsinki, the Arctic University of Tromsø, the Institute of the Estonian Language (EKI), and others.
Cooperation with society
Rakstivāls 2025. At the festival, Valts Ernštreits spoke about the importance of writing in shaping and continuing the modern Livonian identity, writing in Livonian in the age of digital and artificial intelligence, and why the written word can be more effective than the spoken word. 11.08.2024.
Availability of the Livonian language in the digital environment (2024–2025) – tools for writing and spell checking, resources, etc.
Institute Director Valts Ernštreits participates in the 33rd Economic Forum “Time of New Leaders – Shaping the Future Together”. 03.-05.09.2024.
A delegation from the Estonian Folk Culture Centre (Eesti Rahvakultuuri Keskus) visited the University of Latvia Livonian Institute to learn about Livonian intangible cultural heritage and its manifestations in Latvia. 10.09.2024.
Livonian culture days 2024 in Ventspils.
Creative day organized by the Latvian National Cultural Centre, “Reunion. Latvian Historical Lands at Riga Castle,” where you could also learn about the Livonians, play games, and sing along with Livonian youth. 18.11.2024.
At the language festival “Avots” organized by the Language House (02.02.2025.), visitors could also learn about the Livonian language and digital resources.
Annual meeting organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Latvian experts from UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. 03.02.2025.
Valts Ernštreits, Director of the Livonian Institute, elected to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues for the period 2026–2028. 04.04.2025.
The 24th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is taking place in New York, where Valts Ernštreits, director of the Latvian University Livonian Institute, is participating as a representative of Latvia and the Livonian people, introducing the Livonian language in the digital environment. 21.04.-02.05.2025.
Meta and the University of Latvia sign an agreement to establish a partnership in language technology development, making the University of Latvia Livonian Institute part of Meta’s language technology partner program. 28.04.2025.
An expert from the University of Latvia Livonian Institute has been appointed coordinator between the UN Group of Experts on Geographical Names, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and the UN Global Coordination Group for the International Decade of Indigenous Peoples (2022–2032). 28.04.2025.
The Institute hosts a meeting with Dr. Gábor Soós, Head of the Hungarian National Commission for UNESCO, Baiba Moļņika, Secretary General of the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO, and Rūta Muktupāvela, Advisor to the Minister of Culture on Cultural Policy Issues. 14.05.2025.
The UN Internet Governance Forum is taking place in Lillestrøm, Norway, with the participation of the institute’s director, Valts Ernštreits. 23-27 June 2025.
During a panel discussion at a seminar organized by the Ministry of Education and Science, led by Professor Māris Baltiņš together with experts from the State Language Center, the Constitutional Court, and the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Latvia, we looked back on what has been achieved and the challenges ahead in this field, highlighting the improvements in recent years in the research, sustainability and preservation of the language of Latvia’s indigenous people, the Livonians. 02.07.2025.
The director of the institute, Valts Ernštreits, participates in the UN Information and Communication Technology Agency’s World Summit on the Information Society panel on multilingualism in the digital age. 07-11 July 2025.
The International Society of Livonian Friends (Estonia) visits the Institute. 31.07.2025.
The director of the institute participates in an expert event organized by UNESCO and Zenter fir d’Lëtzebuerger Sprooch (ZLS )entitled “Languages at Every Stage: A Technical Dialogue on Inclusive Language Technology Development”. The event is dedicated to several important issues concerning the presence and equality of languages — especially indigenous and endangered languages — in the digital environment. 15.09.2025.
Valts Ernštreits gives a speech at TEDxTallinn, focusing on the creation and integration of digital resources. 03.11.2025.
In cooperation with the Estonian Language Institute (EKI), an Estonian-Livonian online dictionary has been created. The dictionary is available here. 14.11.2025.
Events and publicity
Interview with Valts Ernštreits. Daba lībiešu kultūrā: Ko par dabu, cilvēka attiecībām stāsta lībiešu atstātais mantojums. Zināmais nezināmajā. Latvijas Radio. 24.03.2023.
Popular science article. Ernšteits, Valts. Liivi pärandi äratamine Lätis (Awakening of Livonian legacy in Latvia). Keel ja Kirjandus, 5, 2023, 541–546.
Discussion. “Neredzamā pamattauta – lībieši“. Sarunu festivāls Lampa. 09.06.2023.
Interview with Valts Ernštreits. Tuisk, Tuuli. Liivi varakamber. Sirp. Eesti Kultuurileht. 04.08.2023.
Youth conference “Apzinies savas saknes, lai veidotu spēcīgu personību nākotnē” At Ventspils State Gymnasium No. 1. researchers Valts Ernštreits and Milda Kurpniece from the University of Latvia Livonian Institute spoke to students about the possibilities of researching Livonian heritage and Livonian folklore. Ventspils, 01.11.2023.
Livonian day at the National Library of Latvia. Closing ceremony of the Year of Livonian Heritage and 5th anniversary celebration of the University of Latvia Livonian Institute. 16.12.2023.
Ēnu diena 2024. The Livonian Institute welcomes students from Liepāja, Riga, Jelgava, and Pāle. The pupils learned about Livonian heritage and research using the possibilities offered by today’s digital world. 04.04.2024.
Interview with Valts Ernštreits. Heinapuu, Ott. Liivlased kui tuleviku kogukonna mudel. (Livonians as a model for future community). Keel ja Kirjandus, 5, 2024, 477–483.
Interview with Valts Ernštreits. Apdraudētās kopienas: lībieši un DH. digitalhumanities.lv. 18.06.2024.
Series of events in the Livonian tent at the Lampa Conversation Festival. 05–06.07.2024.
Interview with Valts Ernštreits and Gunta Kļava. Pirmiedzīvotāju valodu apguve un digitālā vienlīdzība: ko tas nozīmē lībiešu valodai? Kultūras Rondo. Latvijas Radio. 11.07.2024.
Interview with Valts Ernštreits. Fotokonkurss – vēsturisko zemju robežu un vietvārdu norādes latgaliski un lībiski. Starpbrīdis. Latvijas Radio. 07.08.2024.
Interview with Valts Ernštreits. Prāts izglābs pasauli. Radio SWH. 21.09.2024.
Eiropas Zinātnieku nakts 2024. The University of Latvia Livonian Institute is also participating. 27.09.2024.
Interview with Valts Ernštreits. Renesansi digitālajā vidē piedzīvo lībiešu valoda. Zināmais nezināmajā. Latvijas Radio. 30.09.2024.
Interview with Valts Ernštreits. Lībiešu valodas un kultūras dzīvā tradīcija nekad nav pārtrūkusi. Monopols. Latvijas Radio. 13.11.2024.
Interview with Valts Ernštreits. Nedēļas viesis. Talsu vēstis. 07.03.2025.
Interview with Valts Ernštreits and Guntis Zemītis. Gaujas lībieši un viņu mantojuma izpēte. Kultūras Rondo. Latvijas Radio. 08.03.2025.
Interview with Valts Ernštreits and Sofija Kūla. Lībiešu valoda turpinās! Kultūras Rondo. Latvijas Radio. 09.06.2025.
Series of events in the Livonian tent at the Lampa Conversation Festival. 20.–21.06.2025.
Interview with Valts Ernštreits. Liivi keeleteadlane: liivi keele püsimajäämine on ajaloo ime. Novaator. Eesti Rahvusringhääling. 29.08.2025.
Eiropas Zinātnieku nakts 2025. The University of Latvia Livonian Institute is also participating. Discussion “Mūsdienu Latvija: identitāte un valstiskums”. 26.09.2025.
ERMi Hõimuklubi. Ajakiri Līvli liivi kogukonna hoidjana. 20.11.2025.
Publication. Kā latgaliešu un lībiešu digitālais mantojums padara mūs stiprākus? Jauns.lv 21.11.2025.
