Newmag published in Armenian the “The Taste of Lead”, a novel that won the “Best Prose” award of Latvia (trailer)
Reading this novel, you can feel the bitter, war-like taste of lead. Newmag has translated and published the masterpiece of Latvian modern literature, “The Taste of Lead” by Maris Berzins. This novel won the Baltic Assembly Prize in literature, the Dzinta
Latvian writer Maris Berzins presents the Second World War through the destinies of “ordinary people” who appeared at the wrong time and in the wrong place. The main character of “The Taste of Lead” is Matis, a young craftsman from Riga. Along with the fate of the young painter, the reader also learns about the disasters caused by the war, the Holocaust, the hard life of a little man, complicated relationships with women, and friendship.
The writer presents the cold indifference of people who thought they could adapt and endure different occupation regimes, but in the end, they could not avoid their cruel consequences. In one episode, the heroes in the Jewish ghetto also remember the Armenian Genocide. Latvians do not believe that the Genocide can be repeated, especially in Riga.
Maris Berzins, the author of “The Taste of Lead”: “I heard about the Armenian Genocide in school. More than a million people were killed, it shocked me. How, how? I can't look at Turkey after that, it's terrible, it's barbaric. I haven't forgotten it since then, that's why I mentioned it in my book”.
The book became a bestseller. “The Taste of Lead” was also staged and is still one of the most watched performances. The book was translated and published with the support of the “Latvian Literature” platform, the Ministry of Culture of Latvia, and Ventspils Writers' and Translators' House. The book was translated by Naira Khachatryan, who translated “I am the Calendar" by Andris Kalnozols from Latvian.
The TV presentation of the novel will take place on November 17, on the Morning Show of Armenia TV. The offline presentation is scheduled for the next day, at the Common Ground bookstore-cafe.
Armen Ghasaboghlyan, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in Armenia will be present at the Independence Day event. He, as well as Naira Khachatryan, the translator, and Anna Bakhshyan, the editor will present the novel to readers.
It will be possible to purchase the book with a special discount on that day. After the presentation, lovers of Latvian literature and culture will celebrate Latvia's Independence Day with national drinks and desserts. Entrance is free.
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