A different perspective at the National Library of Latvia
During my visit to Riga the other week, I went to The National Library of Latvia one day. It's a short walk across the Daugava River from the Old Town in Riga. You can easily see the library from across the river. Its pyramid shape is very distinctive amongst the other buildings along the riverside, you can't miss it.
Staircase
The first thing that struck me as I entered the library is the criss cross stair case and the open atrium. I'm not a big fan of these type of open spaces as I've had bad experience with them many years ago. However, one cannot deny, aesthetically they add a lot of beauty to a building.
People's Bookshelf
Behind the crisscross staircase is a very special part of the library, called the People's Bookshelf. People are invited to donate a book that has a special meaning to them, and write a personal message about the book on the inside page.
There are 15,000 books on display here, and the bookshelves spans over four floors high. The idea is that the library has a section that is created by the people themselves. I think it's actually a very nice idea. The only downside being any donation will be buried amongst the other 15,000 books. If a donor's objective is to participate in a social project then that's fine, otherwise they'll have to be prepared to forgo a book that means a lot to them.
Viewing Deck
The best part about the library is the viewing decks on the 11th and 12th floor. When I was at the library reception on the ground floor, the staff made a point of telling me about it otherwise I would have missed it totally. I mean when one visits a library, you don't exactly think of going to top floor. Normally the further up you go, the more boring the books are. Anyway, I'm glad I did, and it was one of those wow moments for me when the lift doors opened.
I spent ages up here. One because it was the last day of my two week trip and I was getting a bit tired. And two, the view up there was just amazing.
Duvi Raini sculpture
As I was leaving the library, I saw a sculpture outside. Two men sitting on a bench, nothing too special, right?
What if I show it to you from this angle? Didn't expect that did you? These two identical sculptures, one at 1m tall and the other 3m are of the same person, Divi Raini - a renown Latvian poet, playwright, translator and politician. The work points to the transformation that education and individual growth brings while the seating space in between emphasizes this process as an upward straight lane – growth in time and space. Source
I think this is a really interesting sculpture, offering a different perspective on things. Sometimes things aren't what they look like, and if you take a step back, away or elsewhere, you see things that you didn't realise exists.
| Here's me sitting next to little Raini | And here's me standing next to big Raini |
|---|---|
 |  |
If you're ever in Riga, I would highly recommend taking a short walk across the Daugava River to the library. It makes a nice change to the touristy area and you get a lovely view of the river during the walk, as well as the magnificent view from the observation decks. Entrance to the library is free (of course) as it is a proper functioning library.
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Wonderful library both outside and inside with those endless stairs, how fascinating! I really liked the sculptures, thank you very much @livinguktaiwan!😀
I think outside the library is a very fitting place for the sculpture, particularly how they have represented a renowned scholar and the growth.
Really appropriate and very beautiful as well as an excellent tribute.
Riga as a city is really beautiful and the architecture of the library is unique! May I ask why you had a bad experience with open spaces? I actually really like it, it doesn't feel so restrictive and somehow more modern. A great idea with donating the book and the personal message in it, it will definitely be exciting to read one of these afterwards :)
I wrote about my bad experience with atriums when I first started on
SteemHive, and always feel uneasy walking below them now 😖https://hive.blog/story/@livinguktaiwan/pang
Oh no, I read through it afterwards, I think anyone would have been scared...
This is a really great place! The stairs of the library look aesthetically perfect. It is worth spending an hour there for the view. I think people will enjoy it more if they have such a view while reading a book.
The sculptures do perspective very well. Not everything is as it seems.
After the observation deck, we went downstairs to the lower floors where it was the 'normal' library area. They had some really nice fashionable sofas there also with magnificent views. It was almost like sitting in a very comfortable living room.
It was truly the largest library I have ever seen. It is a great advantage for people to independently read and review books in their own departments. I'm sure many students have the opportunity to visit this library within the scope of the ERASMUS Project. You showed the size of the statues very well. You always guide and inspire us with your writings. Thanks a lot.
Although it's great for tourist, I noticed there were also many people studying there. Some floors had restricted access and you could only go in with a card, whereas other floors were open to all.
It my dream one day to be there
Wow, what a unique building! That is pretty impressive. That community bookshelf is something that my wife would love. I also dig he sculpture. It's a bit of a mind game for sure! Thanks for sharing this awesome place with us. You always seem to find the best ones!
Originally I thought it was just a large and small sculpture, until I walked to the far end and looked back, and that's when I saw the magic. I'm so glad I wasn't lazy and walked those extra steps!
Indeed! It's really quite unique!
Thanks for the recommendation to visit this library if we go one day to Riga. I guess you would also recommend warm clothes if we go at this time of the year 😁
It started to get really cold after we left Krakow. Warsaw was awfully windy and I nearly got blown away when I came out from the train station. And then it got so cold that we actually had to buy a coat to wear (each, not one between us 😁)
Latvians call this building 'Gaismas pils' ('Palace/Castle of Light') :)
I can see why this is, it's very impressive
It sure is an interesting sculpture, one that passes a deep message!
Oh dear I love Riga🥰
Travel is amazing, you learn so much
Very nice. I have really come to enjoy libraries and this one looks great. Very cool sculpture too.
I've come across a couple really nice libraries in recent years. There's one from Copenhagen last year which I still haven't got round to post yet.
Thank you for showing us such a beautiful place. I loved the photos inside the library and the meaning of the sculpture has left me thinking.
The people's library project, of donating an important book and writing inside it, I see it as a good exercise in detachment.
Have a nice day, @livinguktaiwan 🙂
My sister visited Riga last year and I remember her shots from the library. I never stopped regretting that I wasn't in that trip with her to see how much has to offer a city and country so small. Also, it's nice seeing you again! 😁
Do you have any plans to do some overseas travelling? Or do you plan to continue focusing on Romania first?
I've been in Vienna and Venice last year and in Prague last month. I'm trying to go at least once per year overseas
Hiya, @choogirl here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Travel Digest #2041.
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The sculpture is very interesting :-)
I myself like very much to go inside the libraries where there are many books and one picks up the book according to his interest and reads it and spends the time well and also increases the knowledge a lot.