Sandija Santa’s “Letters Wrapped in Purple” – A Poetic Journey Through Parental Love

Liepāja, Latvia – Playwright, director, and voice artist Sandija Santa is set to present “Letters Wrapped in Purple,” a deeply personal and poetic performance piece at the Pegaza pagalms cultural center on February 27th. The performance, beginning at 7:00 PM, uniquely blends artistic expression with the creative process of crafting a book from her parents’ love letters written during their military service.

A Personal Narrative Unveiled

“Letters Wrapped in Purple” offers a unique glimpse into Santa’s experiences and feelings, revealing fragments of correspondence between her parents from 1987 to 1990. The performance isn’t simply a presentation of these letters, but an active exploration of them, as Santa revives their content through emotional resonance and physical expression. Audiences will be invited to witness the unfolding of a book’s creation in real-time.

The Artist Behind the Work

Sandija Santa, born in Riga in 1987, is a graduate of the Latvian Academy of Culture, holding both a bachelor’s degree in theater, cinema, and TV dramaturgy and a master’s degree in theater art. Her work is characterized by its deeply personal and poetic nature. Beyond her writing and directing, Santa has also worked as a teacher at Liepāja Music, Art and Design High School. Her play, “Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table,” received a nomination for a Gambler’s Night award.

Letters from a Soviet Era

The core of “Letters Wrapped in Purple” lies in the letters exchanged by Santa’s parents while one served in the Soviet army. These letters capture the emotions and lives of two eighteen-year-olds navigating love and separation within the context of Soviet Latvia. The performance explores the challenges of maintaining a relationship across distance, with limited communication options available at the time – a stark contrast to modern connectivity.

A Performance as Process

The performance is designed as an open editing process, where Santa uses sensory input and physical impulses to bring the letters to life. This approach aims to provide audiences with a visceral and authentic experience, making them active participants in the book’s creation. Filming and photography will take place during the event for promotional purposes.

Experiencing the Performance

“Letters Wrapped in Purple” will be performed at Pegaza pagalms in Liepāja on February 27th at 7:00 PM. The performance is expected to last one hour and ten minutes. The work delves into themes of love, waiting, and the vulnerability of youth against the backdrop of the Soviet system, offering a human and intimate perspective on a specific historical period.

Santa will also incorporate performative voice elements, using changes in sound, intonation, and rhythm to offer new perspectives on the text and create a physically felt experience for the audience.