Statues - Hither & Thither

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Rīga

Klostera iela
(Latvijas Republikas Saeima)

Lāčplēsis

The Bear-slayer

Mythic hero; main character in the epic poem, based on local legends, by Andrejs Pumpurs (1872-1887)
(Wikipedia)

Edvins Krumiņš & Roberts Maurs
1922 (2007)

Description

Statue in a nich on the Saeima (Parliament) building, showing a man with a sword, who just killed a dragon (bear?).

Annotation

During the reconstruction of the building in 1922, Roberts Maurs’ statue of Lāčplēsis was added. In the beginning of the 1950s, it was barbarically destroyed. Since 2007, a statue of Lāčplēsis can again be seen there, this new statue was made by Edvīns Krūmiņš from a photograph of Rihards Maurs’ original.

The saga of Lāčplēsis

The saga of Lāčplēsis – based on existing Latvian folklore – was published by Andrejs Pumpurs in 1888, a time when a new national consciousness was awakening in Latvia. The epic not only reflected this national movement, but also actually helped spur it on. The story, which is set in 13th-century pagan Latvia, about the time of the nation's conquest by the German Crusaders, recounts the exploits of a giant-sized man named Lāčplēsis, who endeavors to defend his homeland from assorted invaders. Lāčplēsis, or the Bear Slayer, is part man, part bear, a factor that accounts for his unusually large, fuzzy ears. Otherwise, a kindly figure, Lāčplēsis goes into action whenever his fellow Latvians are in trouble.

Sculptors

Edvins Krumiņš (Ugale 1959, Latvian sculptor, specialized in the restoration and reconstruction of historical monuments (CV on Facebook).
Roberts Maurs, Latvian sculptor.

Sources & Information

TheCeļotājs, Historical Building Structures Landmarks.

Locatie (N 56°57'3" - E 24°6'17") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: lv027; Photograph: 10 July 2013
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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