Manuscript of the Latvian national anthem, 18.11

On the Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia, November 18, the Museum of Literature and Music (Riga, Pils laukums 2) offers a unique opportunity to view Baumaņu Kārlis' manuscript of Dievs, svētī Latviju!, which will be displayed for one day only in the museum's Baumaņu Kārlis hall.

The manuscript is normally kept in the safe of the University of Latvia Academic Library, but in honor of the national holiday it has been deposited with the museum so that everyone can see the notes and text written almost 150 years ago by Baumaņu Kārlis himself. Twice a day, at 12:00 and 15:00, visitors can listen to a lecture about the history of the manuscript and the anthem. Why is this manuscript, unlike other Baumaņu Kārlis materials, kept in a safe at the library? How does the fate of the manuscript echo the unusual fate of Latvia's anthem? How did it come to the library and how was it disguised during the Soviet years? Ligita Ašme from RMM will speak about these and other questions during the national holiday.

The Baumaņu Kārlis hall also displays the grand piano of the author of the Latvian anthem, at which the national anthem may have been composed.

On November 18, admission to the museum is free! The museum is open from 11:00 to 18:00.