Inga Gaile (1976) is an award-winning Latvian poet, prose writer, playwright, performance artist, theater director, and President of Latvia PEN. With her unique brand of humor, she explores inner states of being, her own experiences, the everyday lives of women and stigmatized groups of society, while promoting equal rights. She has won several awards, including the Annual Latvian Literature Award 2015 and 2020 for Can the Back Row Hear Me and The Beautiful Ones. Inga Gaile is an active participant in the feminist movement in Latvia and is a founder of stand-up comedy group Women’s Stand-up. Gaile regularly performs her poetry at international festivals and her poems have been translated into several languages.
Poetry
Nakts [Night]. Riga: Mansards, 2021.
Lieldienas [Easter]. Riga: Neputns, 2018.
Vai otrā grupa mani dzird? [Can the Back Row Hear Me?] - collection of children's poetry. Riga: Liels un mazs, 2014.
Migla [Fog]. Riga: Mansards, 2012.
Kūku Marija [Maria, the Cake Killer]. Riga: Orbita, 2007.
raudāt nedrīkst smieties [Cry Not Laugh]. Riga: Nordik, 2004.
Laiks bija iemīlējies [Time Had Grown Enamoured]. Riga: "Pētergailis", 1999.
Prose
Rakstītāja [Writer of Her Own]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2020.
Skaistās [The Beautiful Ones]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2019.
Neredzamie [Invisible]. Riga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2018.
Stikli [The Glass Shards]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2016.
Plays
Trauki [The Dishes]. 2014, staged in collaboration with Marta E. Martinsone at Dirty Deal Teatro, Riga.
Mūsu Silvija debesīs [Our Sylvia, who art in Heaven]. 2013, staged at Ģertrūdes ielas teātris, Riga.
Āda [The Skin]. 2011, published by Mansards, staged by Andrejs Jarovojs at Dirty Deal Teatro, Riga
Collections of stories
Piena ceļi [Milky ways]. Riga: Mansards, 2018.
Books to fall for
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Can the Back Row Hear Me?
Can the Back Row Hear Me? (Vai otrā grupa mani dzird?)
— The Annual Latvian Literature Prize 2015 for Inga Gaile’s poems
— A Special Mention to Anete Melece at the 2015 International Baltic Book Art Contest for her illustrations and book design
— International Baltic Sea Region Jānis Baltvilks Prize in Children’s Literature and Book Art 2015 (the Jury’s Special Mention)
The daily life of a family is like a point of intersection in which the daily events and relationships of children and adults meet up. This book is a similar point of intersection that can be read by adults as well as children of all ages. Alongside her witty illustrations, Anete Melece has created games, exercises and colouring pages.
Contacts: pasts@lielsmazs.lv
CanTheBackRowHearMe_by_I.Gaile.pdf
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Title
:Can the Back Row Hear Me?
Title*
:Vai otrā grupa mani dzird?
Authors
:Illustrators
:Genre
:Childrens-book
Publisher
:Liels un Mazs
Pages
:64
Year
:2014
Foreign rights
:All languages available

The Glass Shards
The Glass Shards (Stikli)
In this novel, events evolve during the late 1930s at the time of president Kārlis Ulmanis’ authoritarian regime. This period in Latvia is often associated with images of a burgeoning economy, social stability, and the swelling of national pride; at the same time, these are the years when concepts such as “reduced value individuals” – individuals who are perceived to be a threat to the future happiness of the nation – were also disseminated. Popular in Europe, the concept of eugenics has also infiltrated Latvia, creating negative attitudes toward mental health patients. Magdalēna, the novel’s protagonist, has been raped and is subsequently diagnosed as mentally ill in a psychiatric clinic. There, she meets Kārlis, a young, progressive psychiatrist whose views on the treatment of mental illness have been influenced by Freud’s psychoanalytical teachings.
Contacts: Dace Sparāne-Freimane, dace.sparane-freimane@dgramata.lv
TheGlassShards_by_I.Gaile.pdf

Title
:The Glass Shards
Title*
:Stikli
Authors
:Genre
:Fiction
Publisher
:Dienas Grāmata
Pages
:176
Year
:2016
Foreign rights
:Rights sold to Estonia

The Beautiful Ones
The Beautiful Ones (Skaistās)
In her novel The Beautiful Ones, Inga Gaile tries to understand how she and her contemporaries have been influenced by two tragedies of the 20th century: Nazism and Stalinism. It is the author’s attempt to tell a story about people who managed to stay humane despite the impossible circumstances, guided by a hope to live more freely. One of her themes is that the dual value system—good/ bad, beautiful/ugly—is limiting for humanity. The novel has three parts, each with a female protagonist. First is Violeta, who is imprisoned in the Ravensbrück concentration camp in 1941. The protagonist of the second part is Magdalēna, who is also a protagonist in Gaile’s first novel, The Glass Shards. We meet Magdalēna in Latvia in 1953. The protagonist of the third part is Magdalēna’s granddaughter, Duks—our contemporary. She has, however, never met her grandmother; she is also indirectly connected to Violeta. The novel’s main themes are beauty, a woman’s outer appearance, and the different ways women are objectified. This story also shows what happens to women who experience violence, and how they deal with it.
The novel talks about concentration camp brothels, which is a subject that hasn’t really been discussed before. It describes the fates of women who worked in the brothels of the era, and the fates of any children born as a result. The broader descriptions of this period of history tend to lack the voices of witnesses. On the other hand, more and more historical researchers are trying to add the missing testimonies to history, giving authors like Gaile access to records about women who worked in concentration camp brothels, or women who were subject to the Soviet Army’s rape march.
The Beautiful Ones is a literary work that employs many historical facts. Among them are Katrīna Vaica’s lynching trial in the Ravensbrück camp, the punishment of prisoners during the subsequent search for Katrīna, the brothels themselves and how they were organized, experiments, how the camp was liberated, and how children deported to Siberia were sent back to Latvia.
Contact: Dace Sparāne-Freimane, dace.sparane-freimane@dgramata.lv
TheBeautifulOnes_by_I.Gaile.pdf

Title
:The Beautiful Ones
Title*
:Skaistās
Authors
:Genre
:Fiction
Publisher
:Dienas Grāmata
Pages
:184
Year
:2019
Foreign rights
:All languages available
About Night // Online magazine Satori, 2021.
Interview with Inga Gaile // Diena.lv, 2020 [LV]
About Easter translation into Polish // Dzień Tłumacza, 2020 [PL]
About The Writer // Online magazine Satori, 2020 [LV]
Conversation with Agnieszką Smarzewską (Polish translator of Easter) // European Poet of Freedom, 2020 [PL]
Interview with Inga Gaile // 15min.lt, 2020 [LT]
Poem by Inga Gaile recited in Polish by Sonia Gabryszewska // BezWiosna 2020 youtube channel, 2020 [PL]
Translated poem by Ryan Van Winkle and Jayde Will // Modern Poetry in Translation, 2020 [EN]
About The Beautiful Ones // Online magazine Satori, 2019 [LV]
Audio interview with Inga Gaile // Trafika Europe Radio Mixcloud, 2018 [EN]
Interview with Inga Gaile // Diena.lv, 2016 [LV]
Interview with Inga Gaile // Online magazine Satori, 2012 [LV]
ReviewsJūlija Dibovska, Tu esi sekss, review of Writer of Her Own // Online magazine Punctum, 2020 [LV]
Małgorzata Lebda, review of Easter // Przegląd Bałtycki, 2020 [PL]
Jūlija Dibovska, Laipni lūgts vēriens, review of The Beautiful Ones // Online magazine Punctum, 2020 [LV]
Bārbala Simsone, Viņas ir skaistas, review of The Beautiful Ones // Diena.lv, 2020 [LV]
Małgorzata Lebda, Ćwiczenia z wyobraźni, review of Easter // Europejski Poeta Wolnosci, 2020 [PL]
Linda Stack-Nelson, review of 30 Questions People Don't Ask // World Literature Today, 2018 [EN]
Review of 30 Questions People Don't Ask // Social Bookshelves, 2018 [EN]
Bārbala Simsone, Piena upe gadsimtu krastos, review of Milky ways // Diena.lv, 2018 [LV]
Andrejs Vīksna, Mūžīgais Piena Ceļš, review of Milky ways // Online magazine Satori, 2018 [LV]
Inga Žolude, Cilvēciņi galvā mācās runāt, review of Easter // Diena.lv, 2018 [LV]
Ieva Viese-Vigula, Ar savu cilvēku klēpī, review of Easter // Online magazine Punctum, 2018 [LV]
Ieva Melgalve, Pareizības griezīgās lauskas, review of The Glass Shards // Online magazine Punctum, 2016 [LV]
Bārbala Simsone, Uzvarošais trauslums, review of The Glass Shards // Diena.lv, 2016 [LV]
Inga Žolude, Vai sabiedrība mani dzird?, review of Can the Back Row Hear Me? // Online magazine Satori, 2015 [LV]
Anna Auziņa, Iznākšana no miglas, review of Fog // Online magazine Satori, 2012 [LV]
Arvis Viguls, Vienkārši Marija, review of Maria, the Cake Killer // Online magazine Satori, 2007 [LV]
2021, shortlisted for the Annual Latvian Literature Award for Writer of Her Own
2020, the Annual Latvian Literature Award for The Beautiful Ones
2015, the Annual Latvian Literature Award for Can the Back Row Hear Me?
2012, Prose Readings Award for the short story Piena ceļi/ Milky Ways
2012, Latvju Teksti Magazine Award for Fog
2012, Ojārs Vācietis Award for Fog
2007, Poetry Days Award for Cake Mary
2004, Ojārs Vācietis Award for Cry Not Laugh
2004, Anna Dagda Foundation Award for Cry Not Laugh
1999, Klāvs Elsbergs Award for Time Had Grown Enamoured

30 Questions People Don't Ask: The Selected Poems of Inga Gaile
30 Questions People Don't Ask: The Selected Poems of Inga Gaile (Dzejoļu krājums)

Title
: 30 Questions People Don't Ask: The Selected Poems of Inga GaileTitle*
: Dzejoļu krājumsAuthors
:Translated by
:Genre
:Poetry
Language
:English
Publisher
:Pleiades Press, USA
Pages
:91
Year
:2018
Copyrights
:The publisher;
Synopsis
:Selection of poems by Inga Gaile, translated into English by Ieva Lešinska.

Klaas
Klaas (Stikli)

Title
: KlaasTitle*
: StikliAuthors
:Translated by
:Genre
:Fiction
Language
:Estonian
Publisher
:Loomingu Raamatukogu, Estonia
Pages
:143
Year
:2018
Copyrights
:The author; the publisher;
Synopsis
:The novel's events evolve during the late 1930s at the time of president Kārlis Ulmanis' authoritarian regime, when such concepts as "reduced value individuals" were disseminated "for their own good and benefit of our future".

30 cosas que la gente jamás se pregunta
30 cosas que la gente jamás se pregunta (30 jautājumi, kurus cilvēki neuzdod)

Title
: 30 cosas que la gente jamás se preguntaTitle*
: 30 jautājumi, kurus cilvēki neuzdodAuthors
:Translated by
:Genre
:Poetry
Language
:Spanish
Publisher
:Cazador de Ratas Editorial, Spain
Pages
:78
Year
:2019
Copyrights
:The author, the publisher (of this edition)
Synopsis
:Selected poems by Inga Gaile

Bicki-Books #11: Emil
Bicki-Books #11: Emil (Emīli)

Title
: Bicki-Books #11: EmilTitle*
: EmīliAuthors
:Translated by
:Genre
:Children`s Book
Language
:English
Pages
:24
Year
:2020
Copyrights
:The author, the translator, the illustrator
Synopsis
:A modern nursery rhyme about friendship.

30 cosas que la gente jamás se pregunta
30 cosas que la gente jamás se pregunta (30 jautājumi, kurus cilvēki neuzdod)

Title
: 30 cosas que la gente jamás se preguntaTitle*
: 30 jautājumi, kurus cilvēki neuzdodAuthors
:Translated by
:Genre
:Poetry
Language
:Spanish
Publisher
:Editorial Cuarto Propio, Chile
Pages
:52
Year
:2017
Synopsis
:Selected poems by Inga Gaile

Wielkanoc
Wielkanoc (Lieldienas)

Title
: WielkanocTitle*
: LieldienasAuthors
:Translated by
:Genre
:Poetry
Language
:Polish
Publisher
:Instytut Kultury Miejskiej, Poland
Pages
:170
Year
:2019
Synopsis
:Poignant intonations and the theme of senseless sufferings and human folly alternate with gentleness and longing for trust, hope and love.

Gražiosios
Gražiosios (Skaistās)

Title
: GražiosiosTitle*
: SkaistāsAuthors
:Translated by
:Genre
:Fiction
Language
:Lithuanian
Publisher
:Homo Liber
Pages
:197
Year
:2021
Copyrights
:author, publisher, translator
Synopsis
:It is the author’s attempt to tell a story about people who managed to stay humane despite the impossible circumstances, guided by hope to live more freely.

Small is my land. Poetry and prose from Latvia
Small is my land. Poetry and prose from Latvia (Dzeja un proza no Latvijas)

Title
: Small is my land. Poetry and prose from LatviaTitle*
: Dzeja un proza no LatvijasAuthors
: , , , , , , , , , ,Translated by
:Genre
:Anthology
Language
:English
Publisher
:Edinburgh Review, Scotland
Pages
:88
Year
:2005
Copyrights
:Authors
Synopsis
:Poetry and prose collection in English of contemporary Latvian authors.

Werde zum Gespenst
Werde zum Gespenst (Dzejas antoloģija)

Title
: Werde zum GespenstTitle*
: Dzejas antoloģijaTranslated by
: , , , , ,Genre
:Anthology
Language
:German
Publisher
:Wunderhorn, Germany
Pages
:187
Year
:2016
Copyrights
:Authors
Synopsis
:Poetry collection in German of contemporary Latvian poets.

New European Poets
New European Poets (Dzejas antoloģija)

Title
: New European PoetsTitle*
: Dzejas antoloģijaAuthors
: , , ,Genre
:Anthology
Language
:English
Publisher
:Graywolf Press, United States of America
Pages
:401
Year
:2008
Copyrights
:Authors
Synopsis
:Poetry selection of contemporary Latvian poets included in a poetry anthology.

Dzeja. Antologija sodobne latvijske poezije
Dzeja. Antologija sodobne latvijske poezije (Latvijas dzejas antoloģija)

Title
: Dzeja. Antologija sodobne latvijske poezijeTitle*
: Latvijas dzejas antoloģijaAuthors
: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,Translated by
: , , , , , , ,Genre
:Anthology
Language
:Slovenian
Publisher
:Vilenica, Slovenia
Pages
:150
Year
:2016
Copyrights
:Authors
Synopsis
:Anthology in Slovenian of contemporary Latvian poetry.

Revija malih književnosti. Latvija
Revija malih književnosti. Latvija (Mazo literatūru pārskats. Latvija)

Title
: Revija malih književnosti. LatvijaTitle*
: Mazo literatūru pārskats. LatvijaAuthors
: , , , , , ,Genre
:Anthology
Language
:Croatian
Publisher
:Booksa, Croatia
Pages
:93
Year
:2015
Copyrights
:Authors
Synopsis
:Anthology in Croatian of contemporary Latvian literature.

Poetry Wales. Latvia via Wales: contemporary Latvian poets in translation. No.2, 2017
Poetry Wales. Latvia via Wales: contemporary Latvian poets in translation. No.2, 2017 (Mūsdienu latviešu dzejnieki Velsas literārajā žurnālā)

Title
: Poetry Wales. Latvia via Wales: contemporary Latvian poets in translation. No.2, 2017Title*
: Mūsdienu latviešu dzejnieki Velsas literārajā žurnālāAuthors
: , , , , , , ,Translated by
: , , , , , ,Genre
:Anthology
Language
:English
Publisher
:Poetry wales, United Kingdom
Pages
:96
Year
:2017
Copyrights
:The contributors
Synopsis
:Poetry translations of poets that participated in poetry translation workshops in Riga and in Wales.

Grand Tour. Reisen durch die junge Lyrik Europas
Grand Tour. Reisen durch die junge Lyrik Europas (Grand Tour. Travel through the young poetry of Europe)

Title
: Grand Tour. Reisen durch die junge Lyrik EuropasTitle*
: Grand Tour. Travel through the young poetry of EuropeAuthors
: , , , , , , , , ,Translated by
: , , , , ,Genre
:Anthology
Language
:German
Publisher
:Carl Hanser Verlag, Germany
Pages
:584
Year
:2019
Copyrights
:The publisher
Synopsis
:Travel through the young poetry of Europe

MIND TÚL VAGYUNK A HATÁRON
MIND TÚL VAGYUNK A HATÁRON (All of us here are over the edge)

Title
: MIND TÚL VAGYUNK A HATÁRONTitle*
: All of us here are over the edgeAuthors
: , ,Genre
:Anthology
Language
:Hungarian
Publisher
:Szépírók Társasága, Hungary
Pages
:139
Year
:2019
Copyrights
:The publisher, the authors, the translators
Synopsis
:Baltic poetry