Ernests Brastiņš was a Latvian artist, amateur historian, folklorist and archaeologist. He is known as the founder and driving force behind the neopagan religion Dievturība, which he started in the 1920s and which was re-established after the fall of the Soviet Union.
Portrait of Ernests Brastiņš on his memorial stone in Riga
Dievturība is a modern continuation of the ethnic religion of the Latvians from what it was before Christianization in the 13th century. Adherents call themselves Dievturi, literally "Dievs' keepers", "people who live in harmony with Dievs". The movement is mainly based on Latvian folklore, folk songs and Latvian mythology.
Portrait of Ernests Brastiņš in Kronvald's Park, Riga
Dievtur̦u cerokslis (1932) was the main inspirational text of Dievturība during the interwar period.
Memorial stone at the Forest Cemetery of Riga to those Latvian Dievturi killed by the Communists 1942–1952.
Aerial view of the Lokstene Shrine of Dievturi in Latvia