Preserving the Livonian language

Mar 30, 2000
By Marta Kirse

After purchasing a home on the Livonian coast in 1976, Freimanis became enticed by the question of what it means to be Livonian. In this, his third project on the Liv theme, Freimanis focuses on the perspective of the younger generation.

Filming over a 10-day period in August, he captures children and young adults singing in Livonian, participating in a Livonian camp and celebrating in the end of summer festival. One very poignant moment occurs when three university students are asked to reflect on their heritage.

Having just sung a Livonian folksong, one replies "I know my grandfather knew the language, but with the us it was only a child's curiosity with certain words and the funny sounds compared to Latvian."

His grandfather did not teach his children or grandchildren the language of their ancestry.

He understood that Livonian was useful only for the fisherman who inhabited the coast and would not increase their chances for higher education and upward mobility within Latvia. Its usefulness remained solely within the boundaries of those who spoke it on the coast.

Currently, it is estimated that 10 people speak the Liv language fluently, while approximtely 200 consider themselves to be of Livonian descent.

Freimanis maintains that the importance of the film goes beyond the illustration of the Livonian coast and sounds of the language. The film provides many parallels as well as a warning for Latvians by demonstrating how assimilation happens.

For more information, contact Studio F.O.R.M.A at s.forma@latnet.lv

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