On 15 October 2026, the symposium “Three Circles in Rainis’s Galaxy: The Historical and Mythical in the Cultural Landscape of Berķenele” took place at Rainis House in Berķenele, marking the 30th anniversary of the institution. Researchers from the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences participated in the event, demonstrating Daugavpils University’s commitment to researching and promoting the region’s cultural and historical heritage. The symposium invited participants to explore the formation of Rainis’s personality, focusing on the poet’s childhood, family, and the places that played a significant role in his life: Tadenava, Randene, and Berķenele. Professor and leading researcher Anita Stašulāne presented an overview of Rainis’s engagement with esotericism, highlighting the influence of the intellectual atmosphere of his era on the complexity of the poet’s worldview. Associate Professor Henrihs Soms explained the distinctive role of Berķenele as a cultural and historical site in both Sēlija and Latvia, as evidenced by the notable individuals buried in Berķenele Cemetery. Researcher Agnese Timofejeva explored the role of Krišjānis Pliekšāns in shaping Rainis’s personality. Ināra Mukāne, a graduate of Daugavpils University’s doctoral programme in history and a doctoral degree candidate, provided a detailed account of the restoration history of Rainis House. The symposium deepened understanding of Rainis’s cultural and historical legacy and highlighted Berķenele’s significance in Latvia’s cultural landscape, fostering interest in the region’s history, literature, and art.

Additional information:
IHSS acting director, professor and leading researcher Anita Stašulāne
e-pasts: anita.stasulane@du.lv