Summary of the International conference “Military Heritage Tourism: Innovative Approaches and Baltic Cooperation” / March 25–26, 2026
10.04.2026
On March 25-26, the international conference “Military Heritage Tourism: Innovative Approaches and Baltic Cooperation” brought together more than 110 participants from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and beyond - Finland, Norway and Poland - to explore how we can present our complex history through tourism.
The event served as a platform for strengthening Baltic cooperation and exchanging knowledge on the development of a shared Baltic military heritage tourism product.
The conference focused on key topics such as responsible interpretation of sensitive history, accessibility of military heritage sites, storytelling approaches, and military heritage tourism trends. Participants explored practical examples from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Norway and Poland, highlighting how complex historical narratives can be communicated in an engaging, inclusive, and meaningful way.
By sharing experiences and building new partnerships, the conference reinforced the role of military heritage tourism as both an educational tool and a driver for sustainable tourism development. It also highlighted the importance of continued cross-border collaboration in shaping how the Baltic region’s history is understood, experienced, and presented to diverse audiences.
Participants also experienced a guided tour with a glimpse into Jūrmala's elegant resort heritage, interwar artistic life, and the traces left by Soviet-era sanatorium culture, and the visit to the historic leisure complex "Valguma Pasaule".
The event was organized within the project “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia” (Military Heritage II, project number LL-00052), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Programme 2021- 2027, and the project “Improved Accessibility of the Latvian-Estonian Military Heritage Tourism Product” (MIL-HER ACCESSIBLE, project number EE-LV00094), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Estonia–Latvia Programme 2021-2027.
>>> Photos
Presentations:
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The Power of Memory: Cognitive Resistance in Uncertain Times / >>> VIDEO Welcome addresses |
Mārtiņš Kaprāns University of Latvia, Latvia |
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Baltic Military Heritage Tourism: Project Achievements and Future Outlook / >>> VIDEO Military Heritage II and MIL-HER ACCESSIBLE project overview and results in general and in Latvia |
Katrīna Seržante Latvian Country Tourism Association “Lauku ceļotājs”, Latvia |
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Baltic Military Heritage Tourism: Project Achievements and Future Outlook / >>> VIDEO Military Heritage II project overview and results in Lithuania |
Agnė Vaitkuvienė Lithuanian Countryside Tourism Association, Lithuania |
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Baltic Military Heritage Tourism: Project Achievements and Future Outlook / >>> VIDEO MIL-HER ACCESSIBLE project overview and results in Estonia |
Anneli Kana NGO Estonian Rural Tourism, Estonia |
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Adapting Lyduvenai Railway Bridge for Visiting / >>> VIDEO Architectural Perspectives: How to Develop and Restore Military Heritage Sites. Example from Lithuania - Lyduvenai Railway Bridge |
Vygantas Kilčiauskas Directorate of Zemaitija protected areas, Lithuania |
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A Model of Cultural Heritage Revitalization through Education and Innovation / >>> VIDEO Architectural Perspectives: How to Develop and Restore Military Heritage Sites. Examples from Lithuania - Cold War exposition and Kaunas Fortress |
Vladimir Orlov “War Heritage Center” and Fort VII of Kaunas Fortress, Lithuania |
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Responsible Storytelling and Experience Design for Interpreting the Sensitive History – the Soviet Era / >>> VIDEO How to interpret controversial sites and symbols responsibly and legally correctly, and how to balance historical accuracy with visitor sensitivity. Approaches used to contextualize Soviet heritage without glorifying it. |
Valdis Kuzmins National Defence Academy of Latvia, Latvia |
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Military Heritage Tourism Trends. Visitor Demand and Future Opportunities / >>> VIDEO Growing visitor demand is driven by a desire to understand both historical and contemporary conflicts, with increasing emphasis on immersive, experience-based storytelling and emotional engagement. |
Andris Klepers Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Latvia |
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Poland as an Example: Involving and Showcasing Military Heritage in Tourism / >>> VIDEO “Poland at War Tours” offers immersive WWII-history tours across Poland - from major wartime sites to lesser-known heritage locations - emphasizing the occupation of Poland, the Holocaust, Polish resistance, remembrance, and respectful commemoration. Damien Stewart, trained in psychology and with a longstanding passion for WWII history, draws on his background to design thoughtful, visitor-oriented tours that combine historical depth with empathetic storytelling. |
Damien Stewart “Poland at War Tours”, Poland |
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How to Present History in an Engaging Way: The Heavy Water Cellar at Vemork, Norway / >>> VIDEO The Heavy Water Cellar in Vemork shows how historical facts can become a powerful visitor experience. Using the authentic sabotage site, immersive storytelling, and multimedia, the exhibition brings the 1943 operation to life. It demonstrates how dramatic, sensitive wartime history can be communicated responsibly and attractively for a broad audience. |
Gunhild Lurås and Rita Engedalen The Norwegian industrial workers Museum (NIA), Norway |
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Making Military Heritage More Accessible Through Digital Solutions / >>> VIDEO Accessibility in Military Heritage Tourism: developed solution at Zvarde military firing ground. |
Arnis Lazdiņš A1 Performance / Saldus regional municipality, Latvia |
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Survey on education professionals’ experiences working with young people and military heritage / >>> VIDEO Accessibility in Military Heritage Tourism: special solutions for school-aged youth. |
Kārlis Dambītis The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, Latvia |
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Accessibility in Military Heritage Tourism / >>> VIDEO MIL-HER ACCESSIBLE project solution at Tartu Branch of the Estonian War Museum |
Patrick Rang |
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Ideological propaganda during the Cold War and improved accessibility in Railway and Communications museum / >>> VIDEO Accessibility in Military Heritage Tourism: solution at Railway and Communications Museum |
Egon Erkmann Railway and Communications museum, Estonia |
Summary of conference participant survey results:
This publication has been produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Latvian country tourism association “Lauku ceļotājs” and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
