Galleries
Contemporary Crafts Festival 2019
Unlike the traditional ethnographic June Fair, the August Festival invites Latvian craftsmen who apply a wide variety of methods and materials, involving in their production of goods not only crafts skills, but also elements of technology development and modern design. The crafts combine the beautiful with the useful: artistic individuality, crafts skills and mercantile wisdom.
Regions’ days
Traditionally, every second year, fans of folk music from close and far-away regions of Latvia gather in Riga to show their magnificent national costumes, and to please public with sonorous songs, cheerful games and tricks of musicians. Photo: Reinis Oliņš
The 49th Latvian Folk Applied Arts Fair
Since 1971, the Museum annually hosts craftsmen’s fair, which is traditionally held at the first weekend of June. In forty-nine years of its existence, the fair has become an event of national significance – now it is a symbol of crafts of Riga and Latvia and a feast for its participants and visitors.
The Night of the Museums 2019
On a May evening, the museum filled up with a special atmosphere when children’s games and pastime in the meadow of Kurzeme fishing village and agility relay races for families woke the joy of spring and vernal breath in the nature and people.
Summer season opening
When trees blossom out and meadow flowers start to bloom, the Open-Air Museum opens the summer season. The museum becomes full of trills and birdsongs. After the winter season, houses and farms open their doors to guests, and craftsmen delight visitors with demonstration of various handicraft skills. This year the festivities took place in the Livs' fishing and farming homestead “Dēliņi”.
Easter celebration
Easter at the museum represents the intertwining of folklore, modern and Christian traditions, staring the day with a service in Usma church and continuing with dying eggs and swinging on swings. These days were full of songs, games, customs and "driving away of birds" under the guidance of folklore groups. At the “Priedes Pub” and “Pūnīte” gourmets were delighted by the variety of traditional dishes, but those interested in local crafts were able to visit craftsman fair.
Celebration of The Great Day / Spring Equinox
Traditionally this day was the celebration of spring equinox – a time when the Sun has climbed celestial mountain so high that daytime and night-time are equal length. On The Great Day there are several essential customs that are loved and demanded by everyone - egg dyeing and swinging on swings. On this day everyone was also be able to play many ritual outdoor games and sing together with folk music group "Skandinieki".
Shrovetide (Metenis)
Metenis is the herald of spring and beginning of a new year, as well as the most cheerful holiday of the year and the most popular time for mummeries. On this day museum was filled with masks, dancing and playing together with folk groups, everyone was offered a chance to visit candle maker's and blacksmith's workshops, go horseback riding and try delicious Metenis' treats.
Winter Solstice. Yule Log Eve
The Winter Solstice or Yule Log Eve is celebrated on the shortest day and the longest night of the year. As in old times, to ward off the darkness, cold, last year's mishaps, bad work and thoughts, people roll the Yule Log from one farm to another and eventually burn it. At the museum it is time for masking, creative workshops, Christmas market and seasonal treats, dancing and singing together with folk groups and, of course, rolling and burning the log.
The Martin's Day
Masking and mask parade, dancing and singing together with folk groups, creative seasonal workshops, craftsmen, horseback riding, games of old and delicious Martin's Day treats.