“Rakstivāls” returns to Līgatne for third year, celebrating writing in all forms

This year, the “Rakstivāls” festival will once again gather writers from all over Latvia at the “Zeit” creative quarter in Līgatne. Now in its third edition, the festival is built on the idea that writing is not reserved solely for authors of novels or poetry collections. The organizers want to challenge traditional notions of what it means to write.

Broadening the understanding of writing

Inga Žolude explains that the aim is to expand horizons and explore many directions of writing. That is why the event is called a “writing” festival rather than a “literary” festival — it is meant to be inclusive and open to a broader range of participants.

The title of this year's programme, “From sweat to writing therapy,” hints at a wide spectrum of topics, ranging from physical effort and embodied experience to writing used as a therapeutic tool. Details of the sessions and workshops have not yet been revealed.

The festival will be held in Līgatne, a town known for its creative atmosphere and the activities of the “Zeit” quarter. It is expected that participants will include both experienced writers and people who are just beginning their writing journey. In the view of the organizers, writing is accessible to everyone, and the festival aims to show that creative expression does not require a specific status or genre framework.