Historian Zolneroviča publishes research on Latvia's hippie movement
Historian Līva Zolneroviča has published a book on the hippie subculture in Latvia from the 1960s to the 1990s, which has drawn more public interest than expected. The author notes that Latvian hippies did not aim to overthrow Soviet power but simply wanted to live by their own values.
Historian Līva Zolneroviča spoke with LSM.lv about her research book "Hippies in Latvia. The 1960s to 1990s," which examines one of the little-studied subcultures of the Soviet era in Latvia.
According to the author, while writing the book it was important to her that the text could be read with enjoyment not only by academics but by anyone interested in the history and culture of Latvia's hippie movement. For that reason, she deliberately avoided overloading the text with excessive scientific terminology.
Not aiming to overthrow the regime
Zolneroviča explains that members of the hippie movement in Latvia were not focused on overthrowing Soviet power. Their main goal was simply the ability to live according to their own beliefs and values, rather than to politically resist the system.
Strong public interest
The author notes that interest in the book has turned out to be surprisingly high, and she suggests that an additional print run may soon be needed to meet reader demand.
