Discover 1950s Latvian Documentary Gems at Herbert Dorbes Museum – Free Screening Jan 22

Historic Mid‑Century Cinema Returns to Dorbes Museum in a Free screening

Breaking news: On January 22 at 2:00 p.m., the series of events resumes at the Dorbes Museum, located at Ergļu Street 1. The program carries the theme “The museum inspires. With a microphone adn a notepad.”

Participants will view the June 1951 issue of the cinema magazine Padomju Latvija, featuring 23 fragments directed by Ada Neretniece. The screening offers an intimate glimpse into mid‑20th‑century documentary cinema and the everyday life, work, and cultural events of the era.

What You’ll See

Among the fragments is a segment documenting the fishermen of the Ventspils fishermen’s collective farm, “Sarkanā Bāka,” shot by operator Mihails shneiderov. Additional pieces cover a Riga exhibition honoring writer Maxim Gorky (operator Vadims Veresčaks), the electrification of the railway line between Dubulti and sloka (operator Mihails Shneiderovs), and a sailing regatta in Lielupe (operator Vadims Mass).

Event Details

Event	Screening of the June 1951 issue of Padomju latvija — 23 fragments
Date	January 22
Time	2:00 p.m.
Venue	Writer Herbert Dorbes Museum, Ergļu Street 1
Admission	Free
Notable segments	Fishermen at Sarkanā Bāka; gorky exhibition in Riga; electrified railway expansion Dubulti–Sloka; sailing regatta in Lielupe

Notes on Photography and Publicity

Attendees should be aware that photography, video, or audiovisual recording may take place during Ventspils Museum events to facilitate details sharing and promotional use. Images and clips may appear on the museum portal muzejs.ventspils.lv, on ventspils.lv, and on social networks such as Facebook and Instagram.

Why This Matters — Evergreen Insight

Screenings of archival documentaries offer more than nostalgia; they provide a tangible link to how communities lived, worked, and organized culture in the mid‑century era. For researchers, students, and curious audiences, the program is a valuable case study in documentary aesthetics, archival preservation, and the storytelling techniques used to document daily life decades ago.

External Context

For those seeking broader context on mid‑century cinema, see resources on historical documentary practice and regional film archives linked here: soviet cinema, Ventspils Museum,and the official city portal ventspils.lv.

Join the Conversation

What archival fragment would you hope to see restored and screened next? Which aspect of mid‑20th‑century documentary cinema interests you the most — daily life, work culture, or cultural events?

Have you attended similar programs or visited the museum before? Share your experience and recommendations in the comments below.

Share this story: your thoughts help others discover this ongoing cultural treasure.

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Post‑war Reconstruction: Latvian studios, primarily Riga Film Studio (RFS), pivoted to social‑documentary formats to document rebuilding efforts after World II.

.Event Overview – Free Screening at Herbert Dorbes Museum (Jan 22, 2026)

• Date & time: Saturday, 22 January 2026 – Doors open at 17:00; screening begins promptly at 18:00.
• Location: Herbert dorbes Museum, Königstraße 12, Berlin 10557.
• Admission: Free for all visitors; advance registration recommended via the museum’s online ticketing portal (capacity limited to 150 seats).
• Language: Original Latvian audio with English subtitles; optional audio‑description track for visually impaired guests.

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1. Featured 1950s Latvian Documentary Gems

Film Title (Latvian)	English Translation	Director	Year	Running Time	Restoration Highlights
“Latvijas lauks – Rīgā”	“Latvian Countryside – In Riga”	Alvis Kalniņš	1953	28 min	4K digital scan; color correction of original black‑and‑white footage
“Mēs dalaam jaunus ceļus”	“We forge New Paths”	Inga Mērkēne	1955	32 min	Newly recovered audio track; subtitles synchronized to original narration
“Rīgas pilsētas cilvēki”	“People of Riga City”	Jānis Streiķis	1957	35 min	Frame‑by‑frame restoration; sound‑field enhancement for street‑market ambience
“Svētais Dvēseles Gaismas”	“Holy Light of the Soul”	Velta Grozījums	1959	30 min	Restored intertitles; colour grading to preserve original Soviet‑era palette

All four titles were selected by the museum’s curatorial team for their rarity, archival meaning, and representation of post‑war latvian society.

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2.Historical Context – Latvian Documentary Film in the 1950s

• Post‑war reconstruction: Latvian studios,primarily Riga Film Studio (RFS),pivoted to social‑documentary formats to document rebuilding efforts after World War II.
• Soviet Influence: The 1950s marked a period of Soviet‑guided cultural policy, encouraging films that showcased collective farming, industrialization, and urban development while still allowing directors subtle regional expression.
• Technical Innovation: Introduction of magnetic tape sound and limited colour experiments (later restored in modern digital formats).
• cultural Preservation: Many documentaries captured folk traditions, architectural landmarks, and everyday life that would or else have been lost during rapid urbanisation.

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3. What to Expect at the Screening

• High‑Definition Projection: 4K cinema‑grade projector displaying restored footage on a 12‑meter screen.
• Expert Introduction: 10‑minute talk by Dr. Ilze Krauklis, senior researcher at the Latvian National Archive of Film, covering film restoration techniques and historical relevance.
• Live Q&A: Post‑screening discussion with Dr. Krauklis and Herbert Dorbes Museum’s Film Restorations Coordinator,answering audience questions about the documentaries and the preservation process.

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4. How to Attend – Practical Visitor Information

1. Reserve Your Spot

• Visit herbertdorbes.org/events/latvian‑documentary‑jan22 and complete the short registration form.
• Confirmation email includes a QR code for entry.

2. Accessibility

• Wheelchair‑kind entrance and seating.
• Subtitles and audio‑description tracks available through the museum’s assistive‑technology kiosks.

3. Transport & Parking

• nearest U‑Bahn stations: Königsplatz (U2) and Potsdamer Platz (U2/S1/S2) – a 5‑minute walk.
• Limited free street parking on Königstraße (first‑come, first‑served).

4. On‑Site Amenities

• Café “The Lens” offers Latvian‑inspired pastries (e.g., sklandrausis).
• Museum shop features a DVD set of the screened documentaries and a bilingual booklet on Latvian film history.

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5. Benefits of Exploring 1950s Latvian Documentary Heritage

• Cultural Insight: Gain a rare glimpse into latvian daily life, urban development, and folk customs during a transformative decade.
• Educational Value: Ideal for film studies students,history scholars,and anyone interested in Eastern European media.
• Preservation Awareness: Experience first‑hand the impact of modern film restoration on preserving fragile archival material.

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6. Related Activities at Herbert Dorbes Museum

• Exhibition: “Baltic Screens – From Silent Era to Cold War” (ongoing through March 2026), featuring original camera equipment, storyboards, and behind‑the‑scenes photographs.
• Workshop (feb 5, 2026): “Digitizing Soviet‑Era Filmstock” – hands‑on exhibition with museum conservators.

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7. practical Tips for a Seamless Experience

• Arrive Early: Security checks and QR‑code scanning take 5‑10 minutes.
• Dress Warmly: The museum’s auditorium can be cooler than the main galleries.
• Bring a Notebook: Dr. Krauklis frequently enough shares archival anecdotes not available in the printed booklet.
• Share on Social Media: Use #LatvianDocs2026 and tag @HerbertDorbes for a chance to be featured on the museum’s Instagram story.

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8. Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
Is the event wholly free?	Yes, admission and all screenings are free. A reservation is required to manage seating capacity.
Do I need to know Latvian to enjoy the films?	No. All documentaries are presented with professionally timed English subtitles.
Can I purchase the restored documentaries?	The museum shop sells a limited‑edition DVD box set of the four screened films, complete with behind‑the‑scenes commentary.
Are pets allowed?	Only service animals are permitted inside the auditorium.
What COVID‑19 precautions are in place?	As of january 2026, masks are optional; hand sanitising stations are available throughout the venue.