Book review, Education and Science, EU – Baltic States, Latvia

Born Johanna Emīlija Lizete Rozenberga-Rozenvalde, she adopted for herself the pseudonym Aspazija (Aspasia), who was mistress to the famous statesman and orator of Athens, Pericles. In the ancient Greek language, it means "one to be loved."

The book contains the first published English translations of Aspazija’s prose, making it possible for readers of other nations to become acquainted with her personally, her poetry and plays. The book is in two parts: 1) translator’s foreword and excerpts from Aspazija's autobiography and 2) Aspazija’s stories, fantasies, and a novella.

Astrida Stahnke is one of the most productive translators of Aspazija’s works. In translations of Aspazija’s complex poetry and prose, she has been praised for faithfully retaining the spirit and energy of the original.

Stahnke has demonstrated her translator’s talent with Aspazija's first play —“Atriebeja” (The Avengeress), “Sidraba skidrauts” (The Silver Veil), "Zalksa ligava" ("The Serpent's Bride"), “Ragana” (The Witch), and other works.

The book opening will be held in the Central Library building in Riga on the 21st of September at 5 p.m., introduced by Arija Vanaga, manager of the Aspazija House. 2015 is being marked as "Aspazija's Year", as on March 16, she would have been 150.