Aivars Kļavis

Biography

Aivars Kļavis, born in 1953, is a Latvian writer and journalist, author. He started publishing his poems and stories while still in high school in 1970 and 1971. Right after he finished high school, he was drafted in the USSR army, where he wrote stories, later to be published in his first book Kafejnīcās zagtas karotītes [Spoons Snatched from Cafes] (1976). After his return from the service, Kļavis worked in a lighting crew at the Latvian TV Centre, and later as the department editor at the Liesma magazine (1975—1977). In 1981, he graduated in journalism from the University of Latvia, and worked as the managing secretary for Liesma magazine. In 1986, Kļavis started working as editor in chief for Avots magazine. He was responsible for reforming and re-staffing the editorial board, and in 1987, its first issue was published with 10 000 copies, in 1989, its print-run exceeded 146,000 copies. Between 1995 and 2003, Kļavis was the director and editor in chief for Ltd. Likuma Vārdā, and in 2003 moved on to work as an editor for Latvijas Vēstnesis, ad worked in journalism until 2007 when he completely turned to creative writing. Kļavis is the author of over 1500 publications in magazines, newspapers and online media, and many of his works have influenced the public debate in Latvia. He is a member of the Latvian Writers' Union since 1976.

Bibliography

Bēres ar priekšapmaksu [Pre-paid Funeral]. Riga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2020.
Asins uz dzintara [Blood on Amber]. Riga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2018.
Bēgšana no čūsku valstības [Running Away from the Kingdom of Snakes]. Riga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2018.
Melnais akmens [The Black Stone]. Riga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2018.
Likvidētie autobusi [Eliminated Buses]. Riga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2016.
Ringla no suņu zvaigznāja [Ringla From the Dog Constellation]. Riga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2015.
11 stāsti par vīriešiem [11 Stories about Men]. Riga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2014.
Ceļojošā cirka gūstekņi [Prisoners of the Travelling Circus]. 2012.
Piesmietais karavīrs [The Dishonoured Soldier]. Novel series Viņpus vārtiem/ On the Other side of the Fence Riga: Tapals, 2009.
Rīgas kuprītis [The Little Toad of Riga]. Novel series Viņpus vārtiem/ On the Other side of the FenceRiga: Nordik, 2007.
Adiamindes āksts [The Jester from Adiaminde]. Novel series Viņpus vārtiem/ On the Other side of the Fence, Riga: Nordik, 2005.
Patvērums ilūzijām [A Shelter for Illusions]. 2000.
Mans nams [My House]. Riga: Liesma, 1989.
Es saucu, lai atsauktos [I Call to Recall]. Riga: Liesma, 1988.
Satikšanās spogulī [Meeting in the Looking-glass]. Riga: Liesma,1984.
Apmācies, gaidāms lietus [Cloudy, with a Chance of Rain] 1980.
Kafejnīcās zagtas karotītes [Spoons Snatched from Cafes]. Riga: Liesma 1976.

Books to fall for

Articles

Aivars Kļavis, artist's profile // The Council of the Creative Unions of Latvia [LV; EN]

About 11 stāsti par vīriešiem/11 Stories about Men // Zvaigzne ABC publishing [LV]

Aivars Kļavis, works // Zvaigzne ABC [LV]

Interview with Aivars Kļavis // LV portāls, 2017 [LV]

Aivars Eipurs, Aivars Kļavis “toreiz” un “tagad”, interview // LA.lv, 2016 [LV]

Reviews

Ieva Kolmane, Pēddzinis, review of Prisoners of the Travelling Circus // Diena.lv, 2012 [LV]

Guntis Berelis, Romāns nelineārai domāšanai, review of The Dishonoured Soldier // Guntis Berelis literary blog, 2010 [LV]

Guntis Berelis, review of The Little Toad of Riga // Guntis Berelis literary blog, 2007 [LV]

Guntis Berelis, review of The Jester from Adiaminde // Guntis Berelis literary blog, 2005 [LV]

Awards

2019, The International Jānis Baltvilks Award for The Road to the Unknown Land trilogy

2012, the Annual Latvian Literature Award, the Spenial Prize for the novel series Viņpus vārtiem/ On the Other side of the Fence

2012, the Baltic Assembly Award for the novel series Viņpus vārtiem/ On the Other side of the Fence

2010, the Copyright Eternity Award by the Copyright and Communication Consulting Agency/ Latvian Authors' Association (AKKA/LAA) for the film script of Vienīgā fotogrāfija/The Only Photo (Brigita Eglīte and Valdis Eglītis)

Translations