Scott Brickman Lecture on Latvian Culture

The Acadian Archives at theUniversity of Maine at Fort Kent will host a public lecture by Scott Brickmanat 4 p.m. on September 23. Professor Brickman will discuss his engagement withLatvian culture.

From 1940 to 1991, the small Balticcountry of Latvia, which was established in 1918, was occupied by the SovietUnion, Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union again. During the period of foreigncontrol, Latvian culture and the newly standardized Latvian language weresuppressed by the occupiers. Despite these challenges, Latvian language andculture have survived.

This presentation will offer abrief look at how Latvians celebrate the Summer Solstice (Ligo/Jani) inLatvia’s capital city of Riga and in the third largest city, Liepaja. Culturaltraditions, dress, food, song and dance, as well as language preservation will bediscussed. Professor Brickman will share original photos and videos of his timein both Riga and Liepaja over the past two years and may perform songs duringthe event.

“We are honored by Scott’swillingness to share his cultural explorations with the Archives and the widercommunity,” explains Patrick Lacroix, director of the Acadian Archives. “We canlearn a great deal from the kind of cultural exchange that he has pursued inLatvia.”

Scott Brickman is Professor ofMusic and Education at UMFK, where he has taught since 1997. A composer ofcontemporary classical music, his compositions are available on Amazon, AppleMusic, Pandora, and Spotify.

The presentation will be held atthe Acadian Archives. It will be free and open to the public.