The Light Trail “World. Meteņi” Opens at the Open-Air Museum on 6 February

From 6 to 15 February, every evening from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM (last entry at 9:00 PM), the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum will host the third and final part of the light trail trilogy Cycles of Light — World. Meteņi. This event continues and concludes the light-based narrative about traditions and seasonal celebrations in the life of ancient Latvians, which began in autumn.During the Meteņi period, visitors to the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum will be able to experience more than 15 light installations featuring video, lighting, special effects, and laser technologies. Powerful lighting equipment will send beams of light soaring into the sky, while the trilogy will culminate in a multimedia laser performance.

The Year of Light, which began at Christmas, has now grown during Meteņi and, like a small, round child, joyfully laughs as pies, sweets, and lucky buttons rain down from above. The long winter is almost over! Meteņi brings barley flour pancakes, slokātņi, zīdenis, and the traditional delicacy of pig’s ears. Meteņi drives away darkness, cold, frost, and ice, plans the work of spring, thinks big thoughts, and forges grand plans for the whole year ahead. Meteņi marks the beginning of a new farming year — as you harness, so you shall ride. The earth, the livestock, and people themselves awaken, sensing strength and the desire to create: to lift shoots toward the sky, to help the sun climb the vault of heaven, to take part in nature’s rituals, and to feel truly alive.

“The great finale and the great awakening are here! As we conclude the story of our light trilogy, we will explore ancient Meteņi traditions — the awakening of the new year, playful mischief, chasing away the mole, masqueraders and revelers, and the great joy of spring’s birth. The lights that illuminated the earth during Veļi and revealed the museum’s historic farmsteads and buildings during the Winter Solstice will now soar into the sky — out into the wide world. Dress warmly and let’s awaken spring together!” invite the project’s creators.

During Meteņi, the light trail World. Meteņi will feature music by bagpipe and drum groups Auļi and MM Orķestris. Folk dance ensemble Līgo will perform along the illuminated walking routes, and visitors will be able to enjoy traditional seasonal dishes prepared by Ilze Briede — a true Latvian hostess from Brantu Manor and the Priedes Inn of the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum.
“At Meteņi, barley and hempseed pancakes, or slokātņi, will be baked. Everyone will be able to taste zīdenis (barley porridge cooked with smoked meat), grūdenis (potato and groat porridge with fried onions), and studeni (jellied meat). I will also prepare rye flour porridge — both savory and sweet — as they say, with fat and with milk,” says Ilze Briede.

Tickets are available via Biļešu paradīze. Ticket price is EUR 15; for children and young people up to 18 years of age, pensioners, and persons with Group I or II disabilities — EUR 8. Tickets will also be available at the entrance of the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum. Payment can be made by card or in cash. The trilogy is produced by the Gaismas stāstu team in cooperation with event operator UNTITLED originals and the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum.

To date, the creative team behind Gaismas stāsti has produced light experiences such as Winter Light Garden, Trejdeviņi, Solstice, Veļi, Winter Chores, Children Draw Latvia, as well as several installations for the light festival Staro Rīga, and is the creator of the concept for the light walk Illuminated Liepāja. In autumn 2024, the light trail Veļi at the Open-Air Museum received two Latvian Event Forum Excellence Awards — for Outstanding Light Event of 2024 and Outstanding Event Scenography of 2024 — and was also nominated in the “Surprise” category in the winter voting of the Latvian Public Media annual culture award Kilograms of Culture 2024.