ANDREJS MURAŠKO

For the first time I got to know the name Aizpute in 1973 as a "freshly baked student of the Faculty of Foreign Languages of the State University of Latvia at that time, when I learned the fate of my fellow human beings". One of my fellow students at the time - Gunita was from Aizpute. In September 1973, we, first-year students, spent time harvesting in a collective farm. The supervising teacher also knew many of the old, German names of places we each came from. And it became clear that Gunita comes from Aizpute (the German name of the town - Hasenpoth). Today, I do not remember if she already knew the German name of her town at that time. Most likely yes, because she was a very smart girl and still is today. I also knew that the place I came from was once called Kokenhusen (now: Koknese). And so, I learned that among us there are representatives from Frauenburg (now: Saldus), from Libau (now: Liepaja), Grobin (now: Grobina), from Mitau (now: Jelgava) and so on. It's been quite a while since then ... I may have become a little smarter and more experienced, but the proverb teaches: "You grow old as a house, but never stop learning ..." And it happened that fate brought me back to the topic of Aizpute. . Inspired by Gerda Kola - or rather persuaded - I allowed myself for a "Virtual Walk in Aizpute" by translating these complex texts.

IT WAS NOT EASY!....

But now it's done ... And as a result, I also have learned something new, for example, that there were also such ancient place names as - Goldingen (Kuldiga), Ruhenthal (Rundale), Windau (Ventspils), Rummel (Rumba waterfall near Kuldiga) etc. When I drive to my parents' house, I have to drive through Lennewarden (Lielvārde), Ascheraden (Aizkraukle), Alt-Bewershof (Vecbebri) and Neu-Bewershof (Jaunbebri)…, also through Friedrichstadt (Jaunjelgava), if I take another road. The translation of the texts has awakened the desire in me to visit Aizpute once really and physically....

AIZPUTE, get ready, I'll be there soon!!!!!!