Life Dedicated to Literature and Latvia: Harro von Hirschheydt's Journey
Harro von Hirschheydt, a renowned bookseller and publisher who recently turned 100, made a significant return to his homeland, Latvia, in 1991. Born in Riga, von Hirschheydt's family moved to Hasenpoth (now Aizpute) in 1931, where his father worked as a pastor and a teacher.
During his childhood, von Hirschheydt attended a German school in Aizpute and learned Latvian language, history, and geography. However, his stay in Latvia was cut short when the secret pact between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany forced him to leave in summer 1939.
Fast forward to 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, von Hirschheydt was finally able to return to Aizpute. His visit was marked by a historic moment - on 6 September 1991, a hand-painted poster at the gate of the factory "Kurzeme" declared "Mūsu Latvija ir brīva" [Our Latvia is free], signifying the formal recognition of the Baltic States' sovereignty.
Von Hirschheydt's publishing activities in Latvia began with this book project, and later included Latvian children's and youth literature, regional history books, and the publication of Baltic German authors in Latvian. Among the many books he published was the Baltisches Kochbuch, a collection of traditional recipes from the Baltics, which is still hard to find today.
Mirdza Birzniece, a native of Aizpute, guided the German guests during their stay and helped conceptualize and write a book about Aizpute following the visit. Gerda Kohl, one of the travelers, has vivid memories of the seven-day trip to Aizpute, during which they were hosted by around 40 families.
The events of that time deeply affected von Hirschheydt and left a scar in his heart. Nevertheless, his love for Latvia and the Baltic region remained unchanged. After World War II, von Hirschheydt was trained as a bookseller and in 1950 founded his own bookstore and publishing house.
Von Hirschheydt's contributions to the literary and cultural exchange between Latvians and Germans might be documented in academic papers, historical texts, or cultural archives. Unfortunately, without specific information available, it is challenging to provide a detailed account of his life and work.
The publishing house existed until 2011, but its activities are still continued by the German lawyer Theis Klauberg, who also published three books since acquiring the publishing rights from von Hirschheydt, including a new edition of the Latvian civil law in German.
Despite the challenges and hardships he faced, Harro von Hirschheydt's impact on Latvian and German-Baltic literature and cultural exchange is undeniable. His centenarian celebration serves as a testament to his resilience, dedication, and love for the region.
- Harro von Hirschheydt, a centenarian renowned in both literature and publishing, returned to his native Latvia in 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
- Born in Riga, von Hirschheydt spent his childhood in Aizpute, where he immersed himself in the Latvian language and traditional history.
- The events preceding World War II forced him to leave Latvia, but his love for the country and the region never waned.
- After the war, he was trained as a bookseller and founded his own bookstore and publishing house, contributing significantly to the literary and cultural exchange between Latvians and Germans.
- His publishing activities in Latvia encompassed Latvian children's and youth literature, regional history books, and the works of Baltic German authors in the Latvian language.
- One of his most notable publications was the Baltisches Kochbuch, a collection of traditional recipes from the Baltics, which continues to be hard to find today.
- His impact on literature and cultural exchange is documented in academic papers, historical texts, and cultural archives, but a comprehensive account of his life and work is challenging without specific information.
- The publishing house he established continues its activities through German lawyer Theis Klauberg, who has published three books since acquiring the rights from von Hirschheydt, including a new edition of the Latvian civil law in German.
