The Antinomies of Latvian Literary Realism

This article traces the social and literary contexts of Latvian literary realism. During its rise in the nineteenth century, Latvian realism was seen as developing along the general lines of European culture that helped to foster aesthetic diversity and innovative potential. These processes are the focus of the first part of the article. The subsequent reshaping and distortion of the concept of realism during the period of Soviet occupation are then scrutinized in some detail. The investigation follows in the footsteps of the current rise of interest in realism, considering its importance in a broad spectrum of contexts, and claims that realism is an innovative aesthetic practice of great historical and contemporary relevance. However, it has also frequently been misunderstood or consciously misinterpreted by representatives of other aesthetic trends as well as misused by political regimes. The article points toward the necessity of restoring a sound interpretation of realist aspirations and their social and aesthetic contributions.