Liepāja’s “Austras istaba” is continuing its work preserving Latvian musical heritage. Kristīne Locika has successfully organized and digitized the Austras sheet music archive, a project that began with a broader effort to catalog the space’s extensive collection of photos, videos, and audio recordings.
“We started sorting and digitizing the vast archive of Austras and song creators, and it will continue to do so,” Locika said. The creative space, which translates to “Austra’s Room,” is a popular destination for fans of Latvian folk music and songwriters.
Located in the basement of the “Romas dārzs” art gallery in Liepāja, Austras istaba hosts events in the nearby Berči Hall. The ongoing archival project highlights the importance of preserving cultural touchstones for future generations, a growing trend within the music industry.
The space also maintains an active presence on Facebook, where it currently has over 1,800 likes. According to liepajniekiem.lv, the resolution of rental issues ensures the space will remain in its current location.