Ilmārs Šlāpins

Ilmārs Šlāpins (1968) is a Latvian philosopher, writer, translator, essayist and poet. He studied philosophy in Latvian University (1989-1993), was teacher of Oriental philosophy, editor and journalist in the magazine Rīgas Laiks (1993-2010), editor-in-chief of internet magazine Satori.lv (2012-2019). He has translated many plays for Latvian theaters, including libretto for a musical “Spring Awakening”, his literary translations are “Rubashka” by Yevgeni Grishkovetz, Ayn Rand’s “Anthem”, collection of poems by Dmitri Prigov “In My Life” (2021). He has written books “Jokes about the average Latvian and Rainis” (2007), “Jokes about the average Latvian and particular people” (2009), “Dictionary of New Latvian” (2013), “A Latvian. 100 national peculiarities” (2018), poetry collections “Karmabandha” (2007), “I Can’t, Commas. Poems for hardly educated children” (2019) and “never” (2023). Illustrated poem “I want a little puppy dog” was published by The Emma Press (2020). The book “I Can’t, Commas” received Latvian Public Media Annual Award A Kilogram of Culture 2019. The book “never” was shortlisted for Poetry Days Award and Poetry Award of magazine “Domuzīme” in 2023.