Culture mark "Latvian heritage"

Par latvisko pirts tradīciju uzturēšanu un daudzināšanu.

“Piekūni” meklējami Gaiziņkalna pievārtē. Saimnieki piedāvā latviskos pirts rituālus, kur pēršanās procesu pavada dziesmas un zāļu tējas. Saimniece Anita ir arī vietējais gids, kura stāsta par Gaiziņkalna apkaimi, šejienes dabu un tradīcijām.

The owners of the Dieniņas homestead have preserved old traditions related to fishing and fish processing, and they have engaged in this work for three generations now.  Fish are processed in line with ancient and local recipes, making use of technologies that are typical of the coastline.  Visitors can buy local smoked fish.  Tourist groups are invited to take part in an active leisure and cultural event, complete with dishes of fish that will fill their stomachs, a boot-tossing event at the sea, stories by the wives of the fishermen, a theatrical performance, smoking of fish, and tasting of fish.

Preservation of coastline fishing traditions

LATVIAN HERITAGE CULTURAL MARK IS AWARDED FOR:  For popularisation and fostering of Latvian traditions.

On Latvian view on life

A traditional farmstead of Vidzeme situated  15 km from Limbazi, is a place where guests have the opportunity to stay overnight in a romantic barn. The granary built in 1924 has  turned into a barn for welcoming guests. „Dzirnupes” is a good place to relax for a couple or together with children. There is a sauna in the barn as well. There is a pond and a river suitable for swimming and fishing or romantic trip with a boat, arbour, a little house of forge, where the host will show you how to forge a nail; swings, a small allotment with the local vegetables and plants as well as flourishing meadows. One can even visit animals which are allowed to see, feed and stroke. The owners follow  a Latvian way of living, which they have passed on to their children. The host makes different tools for work on the field on his own as well musical instruments. At present the hostess is working at a new touring offer  - “Studies for wives” or “Sievzinibas” ,a programme appropriate in reference to Latvian traditions which offer the possibility for women who have recently got married to acquire different Latvian traditions and skills, int.al., baking bread. 

For modern solutions to the introduction and conservation of Latvian environment and historical buildings

The architecture style of late 19th and early 20th centuries was preserved during the restoration of Meke hotel and appropriate interior was designed. The lobby features photos with the historical evidence of the building. The owners will tell the history of the building and the surroundings to the visitors, and offer social leisure events.

The owners use old recipes to produce aromatic chicory coffee – a true local product from Latvia’s countryside goodies.  All of the raw materials for chicory coffee come from surrounding fields and meadows.  Visitors learn about the process and the history thereof, also looking at traditions related to such coffee.  The coffee can be tasted and purchased.

On praising the Latvian beer culture

Along with Valmiermuizas brewery revives its historical and cultural centre. While visiting the place one can get to know the history of the estate and the making process of beer from natural raw materials up to finished production. During the visit of the brewery one can taste live beer and listen to stories about the Latvian traditional holiday drink.

For the promotion of craftsmen’s skills

The crafts house of Jaunpils hosts Jaunpils Weaver’s Group, which was founded in 1970 and is currently headed by weaving craft master Velga Pavlovska. The weavers use ancient looms and traditional techniques to weave traditional patterns. Visitors may join informative excursions, get involved in creative workshops, try their hand in weaving skills and buy souvenirs.

Par mežsaimniecības tradīciju daudzināšanu

Egļavā, bijušajā kūts/klēts ēkā ir izveidots privāts muzejs, kura ekspozīcijā atspoguļota mežsaimniecības pieredze Latvijā pirmskara un pēckara periodos. Tepat apskatāmas arī Balvu novadā tapušās tekstilijas, keramikas un kokamatniecības darinājumi. Aldis Pušpurs apmeklētājus iepazīstina ar meža apsaimniekošanas vēstures līkločiem un vada ekskursijas. Ceļotājiem pieejama pirts un naktsmītnes.

On Latvian dishes - vegetable tarts

The hostess demonstrates the preparation of vegetable tarts, the traditional dessert of North Kurzeme, as well as offers an excursion for walkers „A walk along the history of industrial Kolka” with theatrical elements and the degustation of the best sprats of Latvia.

SIGN AWARDED FOR:  Latvian landscape, Latvian breeds of horses

The horse farm features friendly and purebred horses from Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus (12 in all), as well as three different kinds of cosy dogs, rabbits, chickens, cows and cats.  This is a true countryside environment involving four different homesteads – Klajumi, Ganiņi, Ķemeri and Krasti.  Visitors can go horseback riding to visit the Rings of Daugava Nature Park and the frontier between Latvia and Belarus.  Please be aware that personal identification is needed when entering the frontier zone.

The owners of the Dieniņas homestead have preserved old traditions related to fishing and fish processing, and they have engaged in this work for three generations now.  Fish are processed in line with ancient and local recipes, making use of technologies that are typical of the coastline.  Visitors can buy local smoked fish.  Tourist groups are invited to take part in an active leisure and cultural event, complete with dishes of fish that will fill their stomachs, a boot-tossing event at the sea, stories by the wives of the fishermen, a theatrical performance, smoking of fish, and tasting of fish.

Preservation of coastline fishing traditions

On Latvian skilled trade – hemp fats

In the fields of „Adzelviesi” hemp is cultivated, from the seeds of which hemp butter and rough grinding is produced. Ancient instruments  of processing hemp fibres are exhibited at the barn (year 101). Here one can taste and buy tasty production as well as enjoy a short and exciting journey along the history of hemp cultivation. Hemp is an ancient Latvian cultivated plant, which has been cultivated more than 1000 years.