Sandija Santa’s “Letters Wrapped in Purple” Offers Intimate Look at Soviet-Era Love Story
Liepāja, Latvia – On February 27th, the cultural space “Pegaza pagalms” will host a performance by Sandija Santa, a playwright, director, and voice artist. “Vēstules purpurā tītas” (Letters Wrapped in Purple) is a deeply personal and poetic work exploring the love story of Santa’s parents during their separation even as he served in the Soviet Army from 1987 to 1990.
A Story Told Through Letters
The performance centers around letters exchanged between Santa’s parents, both 18 years old at the time, as they navigated young parenthood and a long-distance relationship imposed by military service. The letters reveal their feelings and the realities of life in the Soviet Union during that period. As Santa explained, the story highlights the challenges faced by a young couple separated by two years of service, relying solely on letters as their means of communication. “There was no telephone, and you had to queue for television and hope for help from others,” she stated. LSM.lv
From Personal Archive to Public Performance
Santa discovered a box of letters tied with a red ribbon after her mother’s passing. Initially, there was no intention to create a performance, but the process unfolded organically as she reread the letters and began to supplement them with her own reflections. She was struck by the eloquence and philosophical depth of her father’s writing, describing it as “something very special.” LSM.lv
A Ritual of Creation
The performance is described as a “ritual” for Santa, a process of working through her own understanding of her parents’ story and striving to shape it into a book. She envisions the performance as a space where she can “talk to herself,” refining the words and ensuring the story is told authentically. However, she similarly acknowledges a paradoxical fear that completing the book will mean the end of the performance itself.
A Glimpse into the Past
One excerpt from a letter dated January 14, 1989, from Dzintra to Normunds, reveals the longing and anxieties of the time: “We love you very, very, very much, and we look forward to your home just as much! (I cry sometimes when I read, but that’s all to the point.) We waited for a letter from you, and finally we got two at once. I’m getting worried – no letters, no call. I think the housekeeper will call us on the phone. Sandy and I are so bored without you…” LSM.lv Another letter, from Normunds on February 2, 1989, describes the evocative atmosphere of the time, noting a “purple mist” over the sea and a longing for connection.
Performance Details
“Vēstules purpurā tītas” will take place at Pegaza pagalms in Liepāja on February 27th, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The performance will incorporate elements of voice, movement, and sound, creating a multi-sensory experience for the audience. The event will be filmed and photographed for promotional purposes. Pilsetas.lv and Bilesuparadize.lv
Creative Team:
- Author and Performer: Sandija Santa
- Producer: Rita Lielāmure
- Sound and Lighting: Toms Streilis
- Visual Design: ‘’Side Effect Studio”’ and Anna Maskava