Strāva #17

The theme of this issue was inspired by the Latvian PEN readings dedicated to imprisoned writers. It features works by the laureates of the "Forbidden" metaphor competition, as well as pieces by Inga Gaile, Lea Vinks, Olivers Fiļimonovs, and other Latvian authors. The translated selection includes texts by Virgilio Piñera (poetry translated by Edvīns Raups), Aleš Šteger (poetry translated by Arvis Viguls), Fred Moten (translated by Ieva Melgalve), María Rodríguez (poetry translated by Ivars Šteinbergs), Julia Fiedorczuk (poetry translated by Ingmāra Balode), and others. The visual identity of this issue is shaped by the uncensored photographs of Māra Brašmane.

In the editor's column, Ivars Šteinbergs writes:
"About a year ago, several schools in the US removed materials from their curricula that explore the history of racism and help recognize contemporary racism. This banning of knowledge in a seemingly developed society prompted an interest in currently banned books and modern-day book burners. In a beautiful way, Strāva is attempting to become a 'book to be burned'—meaning the editorial team, I believe, is working diligently to ensure, among other things, that the magazine proves uncomfortable for the global powers that be. It is well known that throughout history, censored books essentially form an excellent required reading list. But this is not about heresy, provocation, or the aesthetic avant-garde. It has actually always been about literature's 'dangerous' ability to demonstrate, first, the possibility of liberation and, second, the impossibility of absolute authority."

The literary magazine Strāva is published four times a year and is a contemporary print publication that offers its readers a continuous opportunity to follow the latest developments in Latvian literature, learn about international literary processes, and read significant translations of theory in Latvian. It is a book-magazine (mook) of around 160 pages in A5 format, continuing the tradition of the magazines Karogs, Grāmata, and Kentaurs XXI, and currently, Strāva is the only publication of its kind in Latvia. The magazine's project is managed by its founder, Elvīra Bloma, and the content is edited by five Latvian writers and poets—Ieva Melgalve, Arvis Viguls, Anna Auziņa, Elvīra Bloma, and Ivars Šteinbergs. The young writer and marketing specialist Lauris Bērziņš also actively works on the magazine's project.