Latvia being one of the Indo European countries with maximum number of people speaks Latvian language. The most popular language of the country can be classified into three categories. To its south lies Lithuania wherein majority of people speak the official language Lithuanian.
A new revolution begin in 19th century with the beginning of the Latvian national awakening directed by young nationals which motivated the people to be quality researchers and artistes emphasizing on their language and tradition. But the Latvian culture really flourished in the 20th century which resulted in causing second national awakening and ultimately independent Latvia came into existence in the year 1918.
This Baltic nation is highly rich in traditions and customs. It is believed that there are approximately 1.2 million manuscript and 30,000 songs which lies at the core of this Baltic region. Before the invention of Latvian language, the customs were taken ahead with the help of songs which are still maintained. There were some writers who wrote songs and poems before 19th century, but the credit of Latvian culture in existence goes to the 19the century.
The credit goes to Juries Alunans who emphasized that the Latvian language is the only language to express the deep and dignified feelings; there is no language which can express the true feelings except the Latvian language.
The literature of the country is basically available in two languages–one is the Latvian and the second is latgalian language. Some other languages have also been used for the purpose, such as Russian, German and Ukrainian. The record of Latvian literature is believed to be more than 400 years old but it prospered in the middle of 19th century.
The founder of Latvian literature, Gothard Friedrich Stender, wrote grammar, books, dictionary with an adaptation from the bible of this Baltic region in the 18th century. Where as the credit of writing a book on geography, physics, history and astronomy goes to the Augsta gudrības grāmata no pasaules un dabas which is a book relating to wisdom nature and world. The stories and songs of Stender hold a unique place in Latvian culture and literature. His books on grammar and his dictionary become source of origin for Latvian language.
During the 17 century, another Lutheranism began to extend pietism even as the same spread the preaching of Christianity even as some farmers made their own religious world. Along with this spiritual expansion, the hernhut movement started spreading the tale of emotions.
This led to the beginning of the composition of religious work and hence the importance of reading and writing came into existence. Latvian culture and literature depends on the fighters and soldiers who at the time of war sang inspirational songs to them.
These songs hold a special place in Latvian culture, and these mythological songs holds a great deal of history about the Latvia culture and literature. The master piece depicting the culture and art in the form of Dainas are conserved in the master piece and the credit of printing them in nineteenth century goes to Krisianis Barons.
