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Paper short abstract:

The interdisciplinary study of the place identity narratives and the practices of local communities in the formation of the place identity and belonging of the newly emerged Selonian region in Latvia.

Paper long abstract:

On July 1, 2021, the Law on Latvian Historical Lands entered into force in Latvia. The aim of the Law is to promote the common consciousness, identity, and belonging to the population of the Latvian historical lands. In the case of Selonia, the new region was shaped on the map of Latvia and also encouraged the local communities to revoice the narratives of Selonian identity, place belonging, and affiliation in the context of the newly emerged region. The Selonians are one of the four ancient Baltic tribes: Latgalians, Semigallians, Curonians, and Selonians, who have formed the Latvian nation by merging with the Livonians. (Livonians are belonging to the Finnic language group). The Selonians are the least studied tribe of ancient Latvia, the least known in chronicles and ancient documents. Besides this historical context, the Selonian cultural and historical region consists of multifaceted territorial units: 4 counties, 2 parts of the territory of state cities, 6 cities, and 42 parishes. Almost 800 years later, after the founding of the Diocese of Selonia, and after several identity awakening attempts, the local communities have linked in the initiative "A Community Growth Catalyst. Identity." The narratives and visual signage of Selonian identity resulted in the concept of “Selonian tribes” which is mostly used in the tourism offer of communities. Considering the complicated region’s administrative structure, the imagined character of the region's cultural landscape, and the local community initiatives, it is a place identity creation phenomenon worth academic study and consideration.