Guntars Račs Releases Autobiographical Memoir “Trakais

Latvian Rocker Guntars Račs Unveils autobiographical Novel “Trakais”

Liepāja, Latvia – Following a captivating concert by ⁣the band “bet bet” at Liepāja’s “Lielais Dzintars” concert hall, Latvian musician Guntars Račs debuted his first ⁣prose work, the autobiographical novel “Trakais” (“The crazy‍ One”). The launch event was attended by several figures featured in the book, including guitarist and “Līvi” frontman Ainars Virga, a childhood friend of⁢ Račs, and Ivo ⁤Fomins, another longtime friend and collaborator on many popular⁣ songs.”Trakais” chronicles Račs’s early career as a musician and poet, set against the backdrop of the Soviet Union’s attempts to conscript him into military service.

“This book covers the⁣ period from 1982 to 1988, a very intense and ‍notable time in my life,” Račs shared. “It was a time of ‍forming my first musical groups, ⁤collaborating with talented musicians like Igo, Ainars Virga, Tomass Kleins, Zigfrids Muktupāvels, Ivo Fomins, Jānis Lūsēns, Uldis Marhilevičs, Modris Šterns, Aivars Brīze, Kaspars Dimiters, Ainars mielavs, and many others who are also characters in this book. It was also a time of ⁤my first poetry publications,receiving guidance from Imants Ziedonis,and immersing ⁤myself in the captivating world⁣ of Riga’s artistic bohemian scene.”

He continued, “Parallel to this, ⁤the Soviet occupation regime, despite the growing sense of the Third Awakening, relentlessly tried to force me‍ into military service. I desperately tried‍ to avoid it, which required ⁢a lot of ingenuity and determination to make risky decisions. This resulted in a whirlwind of comical and tragic events, including feigning illnesses and ending up in hospitals, ⁢even psychiatric ⁢institutions, multiple ⁢times.It was a battle against the Liepāja military commissar, a⁢ battle that seemed lost when I was sent to serve at an anti-aircraft⁤ missile base near Moscow.This lead to my placement in⁣ one of the main psychiatric hospitals in the USSR.”

Račs added, “This was my crazy journey that ultimately led‍ me back to my hometown of Liepāja. This book ⁤is a tribute to my⁢ Ukrainian⁣ friend Heavy, whose help and support were invaluable during ⁤that time.”

“Trakais” features design and typesetting by guntars Petris, with Oskars Lapsiņš serving as ⁣the literary editor. The cover photo was taken by Uldis Briedis.

Readers interested in ‍purchasing “Trakais” can ⁢do so here.

Latvian Rocker guntars Račs⁤ Charts⁤ a “Crazy” Path in New Autobiographical Novel

Liepāja-based musician Guntars Račs, known for his work with the band “bet bet”, has launched his debut novel, “Trakais” ‍(“The Crazy One”).⁤ The book, unveiled after a‍ “bet bet” concert at Liepāja’s “Lielais Dzintars” concert hall, delves into Račs’s formative years as⁤ a musician and poet, set against the backdrop of Soviet-era Latvia.

“Trakais” chronicles ⁢the period from 1982 to 1988,⁢ a time marked by Račs’s involvement with burgeoning musical groups, ⁢collaborations with notable Latvian musicians like Ainars Virga, Tomass Kleins, and Ivo Fomins, and his foray into poetry, mentored by Imants Ziedonis.

This artistic ‍awakening coincided with intense pressure from Soviet authorities to conscript Račs into military service. The ensuing struggle to evade conscription resulted in a series of comical and dramatic ⁣events, including feigned illnesses, hospitalizations, even psychiatric evaluations, culminating in deployment to an anti-aircraft missile base near Moscow.

Račs credits his Ukrainian friend “Heavy” for invaluable support during this tumultuous journey. “Trakais” is a⁤ testament to this friendship and Račs’s eventual return to his hometown.

“Trakais”, designed and typeset by Guntars Petris, with oskars lapsiņš serving as literary editor, can be⁣ purchased online here. ⁤ The cover photo features the work of uldis‍ Briedis.