On November 30, 2017, an informative seminar "From the cultural label "Latvian Heritage" to UNESCO" was held at the National Library of Latvia, during which 16 rural tourism entrepreneurs were awarded the cultural label "Latvian Heritage".
The preservation of cultural heritage is based on local residents and communities, and the cultural label “Latvian Heritage” allows us to recognize those local residents of Latvia – tourism entrepreneurs who preserve and celebrate Latvian cultural heritage, demonstrating it in tourism, thus allowing the heritage to be alive and included in modern everyday life. The “Latvian Heritage” nomination is a stepping stone and an opportunity for carriers of intangible cultural heritage to enter the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, and later – the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, thereby giving local cultural heritage significance at the global level.
The seminar participants were addressed by Dace Melbārde, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and President of the Assembly of the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO, Signe Pujāte, Director of the Latvian National Cultural Centre, Asnāte Ziemele, Chairwoman of the Board of the Latvian Association of Rural Travellers and the initiator of the Latvian Heritage label. Representatives of the Livonian Coast and Suiti Land also shared their experience in preserving cultural heritage: Ieva Ernštreite, Head of the Livonian Union, and Dace Martinova, Chairwoman of the Board of the Association “Ethnic Culture Centre “Suiti””.
The cultural label "Latvian Heritage" was awarded as a token of gratitude for the work done so far in promoting cultural heritage. The cultural label "Latvian Heritage" for preserving and demonstrating Latvian cultural heritage in tourism was presented to entrepreneurs by Dace Melbārde, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, and Gints Kukainis, Deputy Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Latvia.
The cultural label "Latvian Heritage" is awarded to Latvian tourism entrepreneurs who preserve and celebrate Latvian cultural heritage, showing it to visitors. The label was created and has been awarded since 2013 at the initiative of "Lauku ceļotājs" to honor and show the Latvian cultural and everyday heritage that lives today. By this label, you can recognize places where hosts are ready to show and tell visitors, treat them with Latvian dishes, teach crafts and skills, and celebrate Latvian holidays.
>>> Photo gallery (Juris Smaļinskis)
| Recipients of the Cultural Label "Latvian Heritage" | Asnāte Ziemele, LLTA "Lauku ceļotājs" |
Development and promotion of small ethnic cultural spaces as a tourist destination | Asnāte Ziemele, LLTA "Lauku ceļotājs" |
The idea and advantages of a list of intangible cultural heritage values | Signe Pujāte, Director of the Latvian National Cultural Centre |
The Suiti community's experience in preserving cultural heritage and ensuring viability | Dace Martinova, Chairwoman of the Board of the Association “Ethnic Culture Center “Suiti”” |
Ieva Ernštreite, leader of the Livonian Union |
The seminar is organized and co-financed by the Estonia-Latvia Programme from the European Regional Development Fund within the framework of the project “Development and Popularization of Small Ethnic Cultural Spaces as a Tourism Destination”.
The seminar is supported by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia.
This information reflects the views of the author. The Programme Managing Authority is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.