March 30
Valts Ernštreits introduces the Livonian language in the “Language Tasters” series at Vytautas Magnus University.
More information here.
March 29
From the 19th to the 29th of March, the Korrika took place in the Basque Country. This relay race to promote the Basque language lasts 11 days – day and night – and passes through all Basque-speaking areas in Spain and France every two years.
Our researcher Bridget Moran-Nae ran in the Korrika on the 27th of March in Vitoria-Gasteiz and on the 29th in Bilbao, carrying the Livonian flag with her and representing the Livonian Institute of the University of Latvia.
We hope that all of our Basque colleagues at EHU had a wonderful Korrika, and we hope to have more fruitful collaboration with them in the future!
March 23
To mark Livonian Heritage Day, the Estonian National Museum has published a booklet about Ferdinand Linnus and Aarne Mõttus’s journey to the Livonians.
The publication is available here.
March 23
A report on Estonian public television about Livonian Heritage Day and the bird-waking ceremony in Ainaži and Ikla.
The report is available here.
March 22
Livonian Heritage Day is celebrated throughout Latvia in areas historically inhabited by the Livonians. The tradition has continued since 2023, when, following an initiative by the University of Latvia Livonian Institute, the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO, and the Latvian National Center for Culture, the Year of Livonian Heritage was celebrated for the first time.
Information about all events can be found on the website libiesugads.lv, which features both a map of all events that have taken place since Friday, as well as a description of the bird-awakening tradition and a song.
March 16
The theme of the latest issue of the Estonian journal Keel ja Kirjandus – the Livonian language in the context of the recently celebrated 500th anniversary of the first published book.
The journal also includes an article by the institute’s director, Valts Ernštreits, and his colleagues. The electronic version of the journal is available here.
March 13
In October 2025, Touko Keränen (member of the Young Leaders Board of the Finlandia Foundation National) visited the UL Livonian Institute and met with UL LI researcher Uldis Balodis. The newest issue of the Finnish American Reporter includes the article written by Keränen describing his visit to the UL Livonian Institute as well as the value and significance of the Livonian and Lutsi languages and cultures in Latvia and the broader Finnic context.
March 10
We warmly congratulate our colleague and University of Tartu doctoral student Bridget Moran-Nae on receiving The Three Rectors’ Scholarship!
The Three Rectors’ Scholarship is a joint initiative established by the rectors of the three Baltic states’ universities, which has been awarded since the 2017/2018 academic year. The aim of the scholarship is to develop cross-border cooperation between the three Baltic countries and their leading universities, as well as to promote the teaching and study of the Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian languages and cultures.
February 23
At 1 p.m. an open online lecture of research fellow candidate Bridget Moran-Nae “Revitalizing Minoritized Languages: Musical Performers as Language Policy Actors in the Livonian Community” took place.
February 19
On February 19th at 10 p.m., TV24’s program “Latvijas formula” (Formula of Latvia) featured a discussion on preserving Latvia’s statehood, language and identity, touching on issues such as the preservation of the Livonian language, ensuring the competitiveness of the Livonian language, as well as interdisciplinary research and approaches to gaining a better understanding of Latvian values.
The institute’s leading researcher, Valts Ernštreits, also participated in the discussion.
January 26
Over the past month, we have encountered several cases where various excuses have been used in order to prevent the use of Latvia’s second indigenous language, Livonian.
To clarify and help all Livonians who still face restrictions on speaking and writing in their own language, as well as to promote understanding among others, we have prepared a brief overview of the status of Livonians and the Livonian language in Latvia.
More details in the blog post: https://www.livonian.lv/…/libiesu-juridiskais-statuss…/
January 23
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we discussed current affairs in the institute’s cooperation with international organizations, particularly with UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which is mainly concerned with preserving linguistic and cultural diversity in the digital age and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples.
Photo: Ādams Edvards Vasaraudzis, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
January 20
The UL Livonian Institute is one of the cooperation partners involved in this project.
January 17
Research work is also planned for this year on the hillforts and in their surroundings, including dust analysis and charcoal residue research.
More information here. Photo: Juris Urtāns
