Latvian Poet Jānis Rockpelnis Celebrates 80th Birthday with Intergenerational Gathering
KALĀČI, LATVIA - Celebrated Latvian poet Jānis Rockpelnis marked his 80th birthday with a vibrant and “sincere meeting between generations” held Sunday at the “Kalace” barn, according to a report from Edruva.lv. The event, titled “Rock Peln.Veidenbaum. Meeting. Youth,” featured a program curated by the museum’s youth group as a tribute to the poet.
The atmosphere was described as “free, cozy and ironic,” mirroring Rockpelnis’s own approach to his work, as noted in a photo caption by Iveta Rozentāle. The festivity included guests, cakes, stories, wishes, and songs, alongside performances inspired by Rockpelnis’s poetry.
several young artists contributed to the program, including Karlina Zaks, Rezija Krieviņa, Viesturs Ķīsis, Kristaps Broks, and Oscar Kobus, each presenting different facets of Rockpelnis’s personality – as a philosopher, poet, and eternally youthful spirit. Musician Anna performed songs set to Rockpelnis’s lyrics, stating her initial unfamiliarity with his work had blossomed into a “grate gift of life,” calling the experience a “transcendental miracle when the poem comes in a song.” Poet Liva Marta Rose also shared her own work, inspired by Rockpelnis’s verses.
Rockpelnis himself read his poetry “in the usual ironic manner” and shared “recently baked verses” from his latest collection, “waking,” which addresses younger audiences and reflects conversations with them. He noted a surprising kinship with the late Eduard Veidenbaum, stating, “Veidenbaum has not directly affected me, but I feel vrey inner similar.” He described his writing process as creating verses “so that readers can enjoy. Life and poetry.”
The poet expressed gratitude for the “wonderful and unusual” attendees and humorously admitted his bewilderment at reaching the age of 80, adding he still doesn’t understand why he writes poetry.
Baiba Roze, Coordinator of the Youth Group of Eduards Veidenbaum, explained the event was driven by a desire to honor Rockpelnis and demonstrate his importance to the community. “Poetry is not age,” she said. “Young people are 20 years old, 80 for the poet, and we are all on one wave.”
The event also served as a prelude to the proclamation of the Eduard Veidenbaum Literary Prize.Andra Ķīse, director of “Kalāči,” announced a change in the usual process: instead of naming a single winner in November, the jury has selected five finalists: Alice Bogdanova (“Not for you, Pisces”), Cyril (“here is its Summer”), Nils Sax (“Higher”), Ivars Steinbergs (“Stories”), and Liva Marta Rose (“Structure”). The ultimate winner will be revealed in november.
the event was supported by the State Culture Capital foundation and the municipality.
