Valts Ernštreits is a poet, translator, artist and researcher at the University of Tartu. He was awarded a doctoral degree from the University of Tartu, Department of Philosophy, Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics. He now teaches a course in Livonian Language and Culture at the University of Latvia, as well as in other universities in Germany and Finland, and is an author of multiple research publications. His graphic art has been displayed in solo-exhibitions and group shows. Valts Ernštreits has received several nominations and awards in various fields of research, literature and translation. On several occasions, he has been interpreting for Estonian presidents during state visits. Valts Ernštreits actively promotes Livonian culture – he works at the University of Latvia Livonian Institute, and is closely engaged in assembling and publishing works in the Liv language, such as the anthology of Liv poetry Ma akūb sīnda vizzõ, tūrska!/ I'm far shrewder than you, cod! (1998), or the largest Liv-Estonian-Latvian dictionary. His poetry was first published in 1983, in the youth magazine Zīlīte. Since then he has participated in various literary and poetry festivals. His début collection of poetry Inter/rational came out in 2003, and eleven years passed before his second book Dark Energy was published in 2014, and shortlisted for the Latvju Teksti Magazine Award. His poems have been translated into English, Finnish, Estonian, Dutch, Macedonian, and Swedish.