“This is a walk through Knut’s experience and language, the points in his life that form a unique map of an era.” (Nora Ikstena)
“Knuts Skujenieks’ Poetry Walk is a implementation of the creative heritage of Knuts Skujenieks, poet, poetry translator, publicist, winner of the Statehood Prize, resident of Salaspils, into a new tourism product. It is a walk route that consists of eight literary thematic stops, affectionately called the “Knutpunkti” (Knutstops) by the authors’ team, to be walked and experienced in Salaspils.” (Jana Drēziņa, Tourism Organiser, Salaspils Municipality)
To honour and commemorate Knuts Skujenieks, the prominent resident of Salaspils, poet and poetry translator, the Tourism Information Centre of Salaspils Municipality has this year implemented a new intellectual tourism project – “Knuts Skujenieks’ Poetry Walk”. The new route was warmly launched on 26 September, the Knuts’ Day, which has been traditionally celebrated in Salaspils for 24 years. The first interested persons had the opportunity to visit the eight stops of the Knuts Skujenieks’ Poetry Walk on a walking bus tour.
The Poetry Walk consists of a route map, available in printed version (available at the Tourism Information Centre of Salaspils Municipality, Miera iela 1) or in digital format (soon to be available at www.knutsskujenieks.lv), as well as 8 stands in the urban environment, which give a glimpse into the work of Knuts Skujenieks and his life in Salaspils.
The stands contain the author’s poetry, specially selected and chosen for each particular stop, a visualisation of the route map, as well as a QR code which, when scanned, allows you to listen to 8 different stories about the life of Knuts Skujenieks, hear a poetry reading by Knuts Skujenieks, as well as listen to a song with words by Knuts Skujenieks, thematically selected for each stop.
The route is designed as a circular walking route, about 7 km long, mostly easily accessible for people with mobility issues, as well as for strollers. The route can be walked in about 2.5 to 3 hours, with 3 to 6 minutes of audio content at each stop.
The QR codes are not available on the printed or digital maps but are deliberately placed only at the specific points along the route to encourage people to get moving and walk around the city while getting to know Knuts Skujenieks.
The authors of Knuts Skujenieks’ Poetry Walk:
Knuts Skujenieks (poetry)
Jana Drēziņa (idea and implementation)
Nora Ikstena in collaboration with the Salaspils Municipal Library (content)
Varis Piņķis (voice)
Toms Burāns (design)
Salaspils Municipality (performance)
