Helping to establish this symbolic cultural bridge between the neighbouring countries was poet and translator Contra, as well as Daila Ozola, whose translations have brought the literature and people of Estonia and Latvia closer together.
Fittingly, the heads of state began their cycling trip on the bridge over the Raamatu (‘Book’) River in Southern Estonia. Their route then took them through ancient Livonian lands across the border to the library in the Latvian village of Ramata, where they stressed that throughout the centuries, literature has been the mainstay of both countries. President Karis gifted the library with three books translated into Latvian: That First Book: 500 Years of Shared Literary Culture; a collection of contemporary Estonian plays translated by Daila Ozola; and a humorous Estonian-Latvian dictionary compiled by Contra.
Upon crossing back into Estonia, the heads of state stopped off in the village of Raamatu, where they were welcomed by Mulgi municipality mayor Dmitri Orav and council chairman Imre Jugomäe, Mulgi Cultural Institute director Piret Leskova and enthusiastic locals. From there, they rode on to Mõisaküla, where they were given a guided tour of the museum, library and Church of St Mary Magdalene by Anu Laarmann.
The heads of state also stopped at ‘Baltās naktis’, the northernmost point in Latvia, which is a traditional gathering place for Estonians and Latvians. The day ended in Latvia, at Eglītes Farm in the village of Ipiķi, where writer Tiit Alekseev showcased the legacy of Estonian author and translator of Germanic epics Rein Sepp. There, Presidents Karis and Rinkēvičs planted two apple trees in the garden.
Gallery (photos by Raigo Pajula): https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCrvqp
