New book by theatre scholar Margarita Zieda tells the life story of director Kārlis Auškāps
Theatre historian Margarita Zieda has published "Dzīvot no tā, kā nav", a biography of actor and director Kārlis Auškāps. The author calls it a "living history of theatre", built largely on the memories of people who knew him.
A new book by theatre scholar Margarita Zieda, titled "Dzīvot no tā, kā nav" ("To Live on What Isn't"), has recently been published, dedicated to the life and work of actor and director Kārlis Auškāps.
Zieda has described the book's genre as a "living history of theatre", since a significant part of it consists of recollections from people who personally knew Auškāps. She spoke about the book on Latvian Radio's programme "Kultūras rondo".
More than dry facts
According to the author, the phenomenon of Auškāps as a personality and artist could not be captured through aesthetic categories and a dry account of theatre history alone. Her goal, she said, was not to produce an academic study but to write a living account grounded in people's memories.
The book traces Auškāps's path as an actor and director, while the recollections of witnesses and colleagues offer readers a closer look at his personality beyond the stage.
