The directory «Plots»

Čaks Aleksandrs
(1901—1950)

Aleksandrs Čaks (real name Aleksandrs Čadarainis) is a Latvian poet and writer. He was born in Riga to a tailor's family, and, continuing to live in Riga, he followed the city's life in his poetry. Čaks is arguably the first Latvian writer whose works are distinctly urban, compared to usual depictions of country life or small villages in earlier Latvian literature. Čaks published his first poetry book in 1928, dedicated to Riga and its life. These poems included topics and characters previously not shown in Latvian poetry - the city night life, homeless people, prostitutes, poor suburbs, even the sewers in blockhouses. In his works, Čaks shows his very deep love for Riga as it is, which is well seen in the title of a poem, "Heart on the pavement". Riga isn't, though, the only subject of his poems - Čaks has also written romantic poetry and works dedicated to the Latvian riflemen. Čaks also wrote some short stories, although they are generally not as well-known as his poems.

In 1949, with Latvia being a part of the Soviet Union, Čaks was accused of straying away from Marxist values and writing politically incorrect works. The accusations weakened Čaks's health, and he died of heart illness on February 8, 1950. Currently, one of the central streets of Riga is called in his name, there's also a memorial museum in that street and a statue in nearby Ziedondarzs park.

Latvia, 2000, Horse-drawn vehicle with writer

Latvia, 2000.04.08, Riga. Aleksandrs Čaks

Latvia, 2001.10.27, Riga. Aleksandrs Čaks