Galleries

23.10.2018

Eve of the Dead Souls

The time when nature is almost ready for the winter and days shorten considerably, marks the end of autumn as everything falls deeper into hibernation. Along with the fog gates to the other world are opened and it is time to expect our ancestral spirits. Hosting the feast for the dead at Hernhuter’s house is a tradition on this Eve and was celebrated by singing in honour of our ancestors together with folk groups.

03.10.2018

Autumn Harvest Festival

Autumn Solstice, or the day of Miķelis, is associated with completion of the field works, harvest festival, rich feast and loud rejoicing. The festival at the museum was enriched with a fair offering autumn harvest bounties, products made by craftsmen, dancing together with a folk group and delicious pumpkin soup.

28.09.2018

Day Of European Cultural Heritage

Event of the European Year of Cultural Heritage. On this day visitors were encouraged to find out about the Agrarian Reform in 1920, the origins of Latvia and everyday life back then, as well as to get an idea of the everyday life in “Jaunsaimnieki“ – a type of household, that arose due to the Agrarian Reform. Also, the visitors were invited to visit the workshops of craftsmen, find out how people used to wash laundry, made butter and managed other daily chores.

04.09.2018

THE DAY OF CRAFTS. THE DAY OF GAMES AND PASTIMES 2018

At the start of a new school year, the museum held a day of playing where it invited children with their parents in fresh air and nature to enjoy playing a variety of both traditional and modern plays and games. Moreover, various contemporary competitions, creative workshops and dexterity outdoor games took place. Every year this event also gathers craftsmen from the entire Latvia. Both masters and trainees arrive at the museum to demonstrate their masterpieces, inviting everyone to participate and try out ancient tools.

07.08.2018

Contemporary Crafts Festival 2018

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.

04.06.2018

The 48th Latvian Folk Applied Arts Fair

This year The Fair gathered more than 520 craftsmen, 170 food and catering companies and 21 dance and music performances from all historical regions of Latvia and abroad.

21.05.2018

The Night of the Museums 2018

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 nature and people.

02.05.2018

Summer season opening

Photo memories from The Summer season opening on May 1, when after the winter houses and farms opened their doors to guests again and craftsmen delighted visitors with demonstration of various handicraft skills. This year we celebrated 50 years of Vidzeme potter’s workshop–kiln “Čipati” being in the museum.

28.04.2018

The Big Cleanup 2018

13.04.2018

Meet your Master! 2018

‘Meet your Master! 2018’ was a chance to meet Latvian craftsmen and learn more about their knowledge and skills. On these days visitors were invited to find out how to make wooden spoons, candles, clay whistles, how to knit and weave, how to play old field games and bake a traditional Latvian bread in an ancient oven. Photo by Reinis Oliņš, courtesy of Latvian National Centre for Culture.