The Estonian Association of Designer Bookbinders, in cooperation with the Latvian Association of Bookbinding and Leather Design,
presents a joint Estonian–Latvian selection exhibition of book art
at the 4th-floor gallery of the National Library of Latvia

Scripta manent VII “In principio. The Word in Arvo Pärt’s Music“
6 February – 4 May 2026

In 2025, the world-renowned Estonian composer Arvo Pärt celebrated his 90th birthday, and at the same time 500 years passed since the first mention of a book in Livonian, Latvian, and Estonian. The jubilee year of the national-language book, launched to mark this anniversary, “The Year of the Estonian Book,” runs until 14 March, while “Latvian Book 500” continues until the end of 2026.

For the international bookbinding exhibition-competition Scripta manent VII, a numbered reprint edition of 200 unbound copies of the book “In principio. The Word in Arvo Pärt’s Music“ was produced. The publication brings together the texts used in Arvo Pärt’s musical works. The book addresses a key aspect of Pärt’s oeuvre – the role of texts in his compositions, the selection of those texts, and the meaning of the Word in a broader and deeper cultural context. The volume contains 81 texts in nine languages, accompanied by English translations. The handwritten materials used in the book’s design, including the illustrations in the central section, originate from the composer’s archive and include sketches, manuscripts, and music diaries.

Artists created unique bookbinding interpretations for the event (www.scriptamanent.ee), which took place for the seventh time in Tallinn in autumn 2025. A record total of 151 artists from 19 countries participated with 148 bindings. The international jury awarded one of the three Golden Book prizes to the Baltic region – to Latvian artist Lolita Katkovska. The Best Student Award was granted to Katriin Raudsepp (Estonian Academy of Arts), and additional incentive prizes were presented by Estonian artists.

The inner sections of the book were hand-sewn in individual styles, and the covers uniquely designed by professional Estonian and Latvian bookbinding artists, designers, and students. The bindings reveal a wide range of approaches in structure, composition, and thematic interpretation. A total of 70 original bindings are exhibited at the National Library of Latvia.

LATVIA: Biruta Auna, Liene Eltermane, Inga Galvāne, Ilizane Grīnberga, Lolita Katkovska, Agate Lazdiņa, Agnese Lietuviete, Dace Pāže, Inese Pitkeviča.

ESTONIA: Tiina Andron, Tiia Eikholm, Illu Erma, Anneli Filipov, Peep Gorinov, Inna Grinchel, Rene Haljasmäe & Tarrvi Laamann, Avely Jaave, Kerli Jõgi, Eve Kaaret, Riina Kermik, Urve Kolde, Tiina Kraav, Sirje Kriisa, Rünno Kulver, Maila Käos, Jolana Laidma, Leelo Leesi, Kert Lokotar-Reimann, Liisa Lääne, Rein Maantoa, Rutt Maantoa, Lennart Mänd, Piret Männa, Kadri Paloveer, Tiina Piisang, Jaana Päeva, Jane Rannamets-Heinsalu, Maarja Roolaht, Tähti Roostalu, Dorel Sabre, Signe Taremaa, Maie Teivik, Ulla Torop, Tulvi-Hanneli Turo, Tõnu Uusküla, Raivo Vahtra, Eve Vetemaa, Tiiu Vijar, Merle Visak.

STUDENTS: Anete Aurelie Aas, Aita Ambos, Janika Autor, Kadri Eliise Eensaar, Lisete Jõepera, Maksim Kapustin, Merilin Kask, Angelica Kokla, Regita Lepla, Katriin Raudsepp, Carolin Reedi, Sofia Robbe, Ringo Roots, Heli Saar, Eliise Sallaste, Marlen Uusjärv, Dhana Vaimann, Helen Vetik, Rita Lenore Viitkar, and Helene Triin Õunapuu.

Exhibition Coordinators:
Estonian Association of Designer Bookbinders – Rene Haljasmäe
Latvian Association of Bookbinding and Leather Design – Ilizane Grīnberga

Katriin Raudsepp Foto Tiia Eikholm

Katriin Raudsepp (photo Tiia Eikholm)

Kutse

Lolita Katkovska Foto Tiia Eikholm

Lolita Katkovska (photo Tiia Eikholm)

Scripta manent VII “In principio. The Word in Arvo Pärt’s Music“