The National Library of Latvia, also known as the Palace of Light, is one of Riga’s most recognisable buildings. The official opening of the building, which stood on the left bank of the Daugava River, took place on 29 August 2014 – the day of the 95th anniversary of the institution’s founding. The building serves as a central technology and information centre for libraries across the country, and its activities go far beyond serving readers. Events held at the Palace of Light range from cultural gatherings to conferences at an international level.
National Library of Latvia – origins and development of the institution
The National Library of Latvia was established on 29 August 1919, one year after the declaration of the country’s independence. Its founder and first manager was the librarian and bibliographer Jānis Misiņš, who donated his extensive private book collection to the new institution. Already in its first year of operation, the collection reached 250,000 volumes and publishers were obliged to provide compulsory copies of all publications. In the inter-war period, the book collection grew considerably, thanks in part to the acquisition in 1939 and 1940 of collections belonging to the Baltic German community.
The period of war and Soviet rule
During the Second World War, the country came under German occupation and the institution functioned as a National Library, devoid of references to sovereign Latvia. After 1945, when Latvia found itself within the borders of the Soviet Union, it was renamed the State Library of the Latvian SSR. From 1946, literature considered ‘undesirable’ was kept in special collections, access to which required a special permit. In 1956, the library moved to new premises on Krišjāņa Barona Street, where it operated until 2014.
The road to the new edifice
The idea of building a new building was first mooted as early as 1928, but concrete work did not begin until the late 1980s. In 1989, the project was designed by Latvian-American architect Gunārs Birkerts, inspired by motifs from Latvian mythology, including the legend of the glass mountain. In 1999, the project was endorsed by UNESCO, and in 2000 it was awarded by the Chicago Museum of Architecture. Preparations took many years, including the rescaling of the development, property rights issues and the development of detailed plans. Construction work began in 2008, with a total investment cost of around €268 million.
National Library of Latvia – architecture and features
The building has 13 storeys and reaches a height of 68 metres. Its form, dynamically rising upwards, is reminiscent of the crystal mountain from Latvian legends, being at the same time a symbol of light, knowledge and national rebirth. The façade is made of glass and steel, which gives the building lightness and allows for intense natural light to illuminate the interiors. The structure combines monumentality with modern transparency, and the glazed surfaces create an effect that changes according to the time of day and weather conditions. The interiors are designed with functionality and user comfort in mind. Spacious reading rooms, meeting rooms and exhibition halls are arranged to provide easy access to the collections and work areas. The main atrium, open over several floors, plays a representative role and integrates the different parts of the building. The building is equipped with state-of-the-art systems for the storage and protection of book collections, as well as energy-efficient solutions.
Collections and activities
The Latvian National Library collects more than 5 million units, including some 18,000 manuscripts from the 14th century to the present day. A special place is given to national literature with the task of preserving cultural heritage and providing long-term access to it. The institution also carries out research activities, is a centre for international inter-library exchange and carries out digitisation projects. As part of the Latvian Digital Library, Letonica provides access to historical newspapers, photographs, maps and recordings, among others.
Events and symbolic significance
The Palace of Light has become a venue for important political and cultural events. In 2014, as part of the European Capital of Culture programme, the people of Riga formed a chain of people to symbolically move books from the old site to the new one. In the following years, the building hosted meetings at the European Union level and numerous international debates, and in 2023 the building was granted the status of an architectural monument of national significance.
Source: enciklopedija.lv, liveriga.com
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