In March, the Liepāja Museum's collection was enriched with an unusual Soviet-era witness – a black typewriter from the Continental company.

The typewriter was made in the first half of the 20th century. What makes it unique is the fact that it was used in the 1970s to transcribe the Pentecostal congregation's hymn book. The giver of the typewriter, Rihards Bitēns from Liepāja, undertook such a task.

The man transcribed the hymn books owned by the congregation on a typewriter, the originals of which had been printed in the 1930s. As the Soviet authorities denied freedom of religion, Mr Bitēns' actions were anti-state and criminal. Therefore, rewriting the hymnbooks and the church meetings were carefully hidden. Rihards Bitēns had also preserved some of the transcribed hymn books. They have now also become part of the collection of the Liepāja Museum.

Photo: from the Liepāja Museum archives – Pentecostal congregation typewriter, LM 53408