Latvian newspaper’s quiz tests knowledge of post-Soviet TV series

Latvijas Avīze has published a quiz that lets readers test how well they remember post-Soviet television series. It comes with a nostalgic note about an era when viewing took place in front of an old TV set with a heavy remote in hand, and the whole family gathered around the screen. The quiz consists of ten questions.

Among the questions are both plot-related memory checks and character recognition. For example, readers are asked to recall what happened to a character named Izaurs and how the main heroine’s story unfolded in the series “Vienkārši Marija” (“Simply Maria”). There is also a question about the series “Smalkais stils” (“Fine Style”) and whether it was more than just about Burkā kundze.

One task asks to identify the series connected to the legendary Hiacinte. The possible answers are “Burkā rezidence” (“Burkā Residence”), “Smalkais stils” and “Vikārs un Ričards” (“Vicar and Richards”). If at least seven of the ten series are recognised, the test suggests the viewer’s hair has most likely turned gray.

Such quizzes serve as a reminder of television content that once united families and was part of everyday life. The answers may be easy for those who grew up in that era, while younger audiences may find them more challenging.