The most famous Latvian writer of the 21st century passed away

On January 4, after a serious illness, Nora Ikstena — Latvian writer and cultural figure — died. She was 56 years old. The information was confirmed by the writer’s relatives to the Latvian Public Broadcaster.

In her writing, Ikstena consistently turned to history and personal stories set against a historical background. Her most widely read novel, “Soviet Milk” (2015), was translated into 25 languages.

Beyond her literary work, the writer was actively involved in shaping Latvia’s cultural policy. In particular, in 2006, with the support of Minister of Culture Helēna Demakova, she co-founded one of Latvia’s best-known literary institutions — the International Writers and Translators’ House (Ventspils).

In April 2020, Nora Ikstena was expected to visit Kyiv for the Book Arsenal festival, with additional meetings with readers planned in Vinnytsia and Odesa. However, the tour was canceled due to the pandemic.

“Soviet Milk” book covers in English, Latvian and Ukrainian

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs emphasized that her contribution to literature, cinema, and theatre is invaluable.

Prime Minister Evika Siliņa stressed that Nora Ikstena’s work was personally close to her. “She is one of the most prominent contemporary Latvian writers, whose works are also very close to me. This is an honest and strong legacy for those who did not themselves experience the horrors of war but grew up during the times of Soviet depersonalization,” Siliņa said.

The chair of the Latvian Writers’ Union, Arno Jundze, called Ikstena’s death a huge loss for national literature.

Nora Ikstena was born on October 15, 1969, in Riga. She graduated from the University of Latvia with a degree in Latvian philology and also studied in the United States at Columbia University in Missouri, where she studied English language and literature. In an interview with Rosie Goldsmith, the writer recalled that she believed everyone must find their place in the world — and for herself, she chose Latvia, to which she returned after her studies in the United States.

Ikstena was the author of seven novels, several collections of short stories, essays, and biographical books. Her works were repeatedly adapted for film and staged in theatres. She received numerous national and international awards, including the Latvian Literature Prize of the Year and the Cultural Excellence Award — as “the most internationally renowned Latvian writer of the 21st century.”

Cover image: Ekrānšāviņš