To strengthen Zemgalian identity and foster a sense of belonging to Zemgale, a collection of essays titled “Latvijas vēsturiskā zeme Zemgale” (The Historical Land of Zemgale in Latvia) has been published. The 192-page volume brings together articles on a range of subjects – the environment, history, archaeology and ethnography of Zemgale, the districts and castles of Western Zemgale, and the portrayal of ancient Zemgale and the Zemgalians in Latvian literature.
The collection was compiled by the historian and researcher Zenta Broka-Lāce, who brought together a wide group of contributors – archaeologists, historians, ethnographers and other specialists whose research places Zemgale at its centre. Among the authors are Normunds Stivriņš, a doctoral student at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU), as well as Guntis Zemītis, Gatis Kalniņš, Juris Tālivaldis Urtāns, Normunds Jērums, Andris Tomašūns, Andra Poota, Gints Skutāns, Aija Jansone, Aija Mālkalna, Anita Rauda-Žukovska, Edgars Mālkalns and Inita Šalkovska.
Normunds Stivriņš, a student on the Environmental Engineering doctoral study programme at the LBTU Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences, contributes to the collection with a study titled “The role of Zemgale's geology and environment in shaping regional identity”. He analyses the development of the Zemgale region, offering a detailed look at climatic and environmental change over the past 15,000 years. The study reveals that Zemgale has undergone substantial geological and climatic changes that have directly influenced the way of life of its inhabitants and their capacity to adapt. These changes have forged a unique bond between people and their environment, thereby fostering the development of Zemgalian identity and a sense of belonging.
The collection “Latvijas vēsturiskā zeme Zemgale” is a significant contribution not only to the study of Zemgale's identity, but to that of all Latvia's historical lands. It encourages readers to delve into the history of our land and its meaning in society today.
https://jvmm.lv/jaunumi/galerija/jelgavas-muzejs-pulce-zemgales-mantojuma-petniekus-un-interesentus-2/