Aspasia

Aspasia arrived in Athens as a foreigner – and a very, very intelligent one. Her house was said to be filled with Athenian politicians seeking her political advice and assistance in composing speeches. For this reason, comic writers later accused her of being a prostitute.
Whether slander or strategy, such portrayals reveal how easily female intellect was reframed as seduction.
One of the most famous and influential rulers of Athens, Pericles, fell in love with Aspasia and left his wife to be with her. She was known for her rhetorical skill and political presence during his rule (perhaps that was precisely the reason for his fame and influence 🙂 )
Centuries later, Latvia’s most prominent poet, Elza Rozenberga, chose Aspazija as her literary pseudonym. In doing so, she aligned herself with a lineage of female intellect, independence and public voice. Despite dedicating a significant part of her life to her partner, the poet Rainis, her own life trajectory and legacy have been a profound source of inspiration in the making of this exhibition.