Vintsevich V. Rezekne Kise P. Rezekne Vase and vase 1978
Artistic crafts of Latvia. For a long time, since the 1st century A.D. e., artistic processing of metals, wood, ceramics and weaving were known here. Artistic crafts in different regions of Latvia developed unevenly, and this was due to many natural and historical conditions.
The north-western part of Latvia - Kurzeme, since ancient times inhabited by the ancient people - the Livs, from the 13th century often experienced invasions of the Swedes and Germans. But even on these long-suffering lands, the artistic creativity of the people developed.
The interiors of the dwellings were not rich: simple wooden furniture, modestly decorated with carvings, painted cabinets. oil paints, chests with metal lining and floral painting. Forged products made of ferrous metals gave great originality to the dwelling, first of all, these were various kinds of lamps. The metal was skillfully worked out in the product, its forms look strict and restrained, the color is dark, the silhouette lines are simple.
Ceramics. Ceramics were just as modest. Pots, bowls, jugs, mugs, pipes were almost without decoration. But their forms are beautiful, plastic. Particularly interesting are the "twins" vessels - two small pots connected by their sides with one upper handle.
They are still being made today.
Production Association "Daylrade" of the Ministry of Local Industry of the Latvian SSR Riga Applied Arts Combine "Maxla" of the Art Fund of the Latvian SSR Riga Julite E. Pendant brooches made according to national motifs 1978
Latgale is located in the southeast of Latvia. Latgalians are ancient settlers of the Latvian land. Here, in these territories, it was crowded, because the land was better and it was safer to live. But because of the crowded areas of land were tiny. By the beginning of the 20th century, 80% of the population were peasants, of whom two-thirds were landless. Artistic crafts have become widespread. There was little metal, and even rukomoi were made of clay. There was essentially no craft for artistic metal processing, but pottery flourished. Silayaii was the largest ceramics manufacturing center in Latgale. They were also engaged in it in Andrupene, the towns of Vilyaki and Ludza.
Latgale artistic ceramics goes far beyond the limits of the craft of local importance. It is a unique phenomenon and entered the All-Union Fund of Artistic Values. This pottery is characterized by a wide variety of forms, a combination of work on a potter's wheel and free hand molding in one product. The forms of products are soft, rounded, plastic, so they give the impression of such a cozy home. The decor of products includes surface engraving, watering, sometimes inscriptions, stucco molding of handles, wavy soft-plastic edges, sculptural images of funny birds and animals. Sometimes, for fun, vessels were made with a whistle. Often the dishes were decorated with moldings not only of a relief, but also of a high high relief character. Such stucco decorations on vessels are made exclusively decorative. The color was sonorous, beautiful combinations of green, yellow and golden brown.
Ceramic craft in Latgale has a pronounced folk character. In products that are still produced here in great abundance, the practical function is organically and naturally combined with decorative festive decoration. These dishes brought joy to a person’s house, and sometimes fun. There were no useless things, the folk master gave beauty and entertainment to every thing. Sometimes these utensils were simpler, and sometimes they were rather labor-intensive and differed in the complexity of the compositional solution.
Combine of Applied Arts "Maksla" of the Art Fund of the Latvian SSR Riga Masters Vizules A. Liepinsh V. Boxes for household trifles 1976-1979
It would seem that the ceramic art of the masters of Latgale has always preserved a world of bright ideals, a dramatic note did not intrude into the harmony of cloudless images. But in this E. time, in parallel, side by side, there was oral folklore, in which it was in Latgale that the theme of irrevocable, the denial of everything bright in life, all hope became especially acute. These themes reached a special tragedy in the farewell songs of the brides - this unique monument of folk art. There is so much human pain in these songs that on ceramic household products the bird is no longer perceived only as a decorative element, but more and more persistently it is associated with a bird-girl.
Of course, it is impossible to detect dramatic notes in decorative, everyday art. Previously, this art was created not so much to reflect, but to counterbalance the phenomena of life. Today, Latgalian ceramics - this is a wonderful Latvian folk art - has retained its light, clean decorative image.
Artistic processing of wood. If blacksmithing was predominantly developed in Kurzeme, and ceramics in Latgale, then in Zemgale, the southern part of the republic, woodworking was a traditional art craft.
Forms of national furniture, household utensils and crockery were massive and heavy. Chairs with high carved wooden backs and soft wicker seats are traditional to this day. Wardrobes and beds with column legs were made with carved wooden details.
For a very long time, the forms of furniture and dishes did not change. In addition to furniture and utensils, sleighs were decorated with beautiful and rich carvings. Since the 19th century, the art of decorating wooden products by burning has become widespread. With such a decorative design, many home and table decorations were made. The wooden utensils had beautiful simple shapes and modest decor.
Weaving. In Vidzeme, another cultural and historical region of Latvia, especially powerful handicraft weaving centers have been formed. In Jaunpiebalga, Vecpiebalga, Rauna, excellent fabrics were woven from linen and wool, which were in great demand throughout Latvia. But imported fabrics, even quite beautiful ones, were not successful among the inhabitants. Documents from the 19th century often note the lack of demand for factory-made imported fabrics, which "do not correspond to the tastes of the local population." The conservatism of artistic predilections was a kind of reaction to the rejection of everything foreign, introduced, foreign, and this had its own positive features, as it allowed folk art to preserve traditions and national identity. A loving attitude towards one’s own, understandable, close one led to a rather slow variability traditional forms decoration of works.
Ushpelis A. Geilishi village, Preili district Candlestick 1978
Tablecloths, rugs, curtains, fabrics for clothes, belts were woven at home. Weaving by the middle of the 19th century was a rather complex technique: satin, shaft, twill. Easier - linen. And all these techniques were enriched by the methods of drawn in loops, the use of different thicknesses of threads, and the weaving of fringes. Fabrics for skirts were of two types - simply striped and patterned striped. By the end of the 19th century, the weaving technique became even more complicated. In addition to patterned colored fabrics, a lot of thin bleached linen with beautiful interlacing of geometric ornaments was produced. Elegant tablecloths and towels were made from such fabrics.
By the end of the 19th century, in Vidzeme, as well as in other regions of the Baltic states, the decorativeness of fabrics and their color increased due to the use of chemical dyes. Patterned tablecloths, wall curtains, multi-color textured bedspreads with complex patterns appear. They begin to give preference to floral ornaments. Jacquard weaving is spreading, various complex types of twill weave of specifically Latvian types of fabrics, not known in other Baltic republics, appear.
Since the 1880s, patterns in Latvian home weaving have become more sophisticated, and the range of colors has become more intense.
Costume. The national women's costume consists of a white linen shirt with a small stand-up collar, a skirt, a sleeveless jacket and a headdress. As for the design of women's clothing, embroidery was used in it, but only shading the details of clothing, extremely modest. In general, embroidery is not typical for artistic crafts in Latvia. Glass beads are often added to embroidery. In Kurzeme, beaded cuffs with strict geometric patterns in black, white, gray and blue flowers. The skirt was checkered, more often with a predominance of red, or striped. The sleeveless jacket was the same color as the skirt. The addition to the costume was a knitted
woolen shawl with tassels. The shawl could be with metal pendants. most distinctive characteristic feature The costume is a traditional long, almost to the floor, shoulder cover - "villaine". The coverlet was often inherited from mother to daughter and retained the ancient motifs of ornamentation.
In one of the burials of the VHI century, the costume of a Latvian girl has come down to us. A well-preserved shoulder woolen villaine veil, decorated with bronze spirals. Villaine of the 13th-15th centuries had rosette-like tin buttons, beads and shells of the distant Indian Ocean - cowries. Modern villainas can be white with a beautiful stripe. decorative finishes, embroidered large geometric ornaments, checkered white-red, plain.
Production Association "Dailrade" of the Ministry of Local Industry of the Latvian SSR Riga Women's breast decoration.
Since the end of the 19th century, bedspreads have been made in a fairly wide range of colors, but in close tones, for example, burgundy with blue and dark green, dark green with black and burgundy.
A women's costume is usually completed with a scarf or namitka, and for girls, a traditional rim is made of braid or metal plates connected by several rows of metal spirals. The rim of the lace was decorated with colored glass beads, silk embroidery and wool in white, red and yellow colors. Long plentiful pendants descended from the metal strip of the head rim: spirals, bells, metal plates, shaped like hatchet blades. Beads of round large amber completed the costume.
Artistic handicraft of wool knitting has been widespread throughout Latvia since ancient times. Latvian openwork shawls are distinguished by high taste and originality. They are more often monochromatic, and if a second color is introduced, it is usually combined in a beautiful restrained range: silver-gray with white, gray with red. A more decorative, but less commonly used combination of red and black. In other knitwear, unlike Estonian ones, for example, preference is also given to one color.
Jewelry Art. Even from the 4th century, women's jewelry made of bronze with dotted and round
with a dot, eye, ornaments. From a somewhat later time, neck metal torcs and rings have been preserved. In the burial of the 8th century, which we recalled, there were decorations: spiral rings, cuff-shaped wide bracelets, a head rim made of a metal strip, rim pendants with characteristic bells, which girls still wear today, more than a thousand years later. One can imagine the appearance of that distant girl, separated from us by many centuries, in a long villain and bronze jewelry.
What were the characteristics of those traditional jewelry, which at the beginning of the 20th century were present in women's suit? From simple metal they made large breast brooches - sakts with rich engraving and notches, besides, bracelets, rings, jewelry and pendants. Often the metal was enriched with colored stones, mainly red carnelian, amber or colored glass. Shoulder sacts were cone-shaped, very large in size, but without stones. These shoulder saktas, or brooches as they are called, originated in Latvia from very ancient times. Their most interesting prototypes are the large, so-called crossbow-shaped brooches of the 6th century Semigallians. They are beautiful for their massiveness, the harsh simplicity of polished metal, and the lack of decor. Only a thin filigree cord and the faceted surface itself are the decorative design of the brooches.
Currently, folk craftsmen are part of the Association of the Union of Artists of Latvia. This association has been given opportunities for a broad creative initiative. The experience of working in the republic with folk craftsmen deserves the widest dissemination in our time of active search for the most optimal organizational system. The Daylrade association and the Maksla plant produce a wide range of folk art products that are in great demand and have a good reputation. Here, first of all, we should pay tribute to the magnificent knitwear, hand-woven items and products made of wood and wicker. These works preserve best traditions folk art of Latvia.
Production Association "Dailrade" of the Ministry of Local Industry of the Latvian SSR Riga Combine of Applied Arts "Maxla" of the Art Fund of the Latvian SSR Riga Julite E. Pendant brooches made according to national motifs 1978 Vintsevich V. Rezekne Kise P. Rezekne Vase and vase 1978 Group of folk craftsmen Mittens . 1978 
Kapostins A. Rezekne Beer jug 1978
Kapostiņš A. Rēzekne Jugs for milk 1978 Paulan A. Šembas village, Preili region Jug (with whistle) for beer 1973 Paulan A. Šembas village, Preili region Jug (with whistle) for beer, 1973. Paegle M. Valmiera Jansone A. Tukums Blankets-spreads 1977
Production Association "Dailrade" of the Ministry of Local Industry of the Latvian SSR Riga Women's mittens 1980
Mighty, strong, unbending - like Latvia itself. He has been living for a thousand years and has seen a lot in his long life. A symbol of masculinity and our national treasure, the unique Kaiva oak, which has no equal not only in our entire country, but also in Lithuania, Estonia and even Poland. Kaiva oak and other unique trees growing on the territory of Latvia are the focus of today's "100 Natural Treasures" program.
Trees are one of the greatest and most unique natural wonders. Oaks and lindens are everywhere in Latvia. In nature, in dains, in pictures. Even the most popular Latvian banknote - five lats, was decorated with the image of a sprawling century-old oak. In Latvian mythology, oak is a symbol of masculinity. Linden is a symbol of femininity. By the way, the largest number of century-old oaks and lindens grows in our country. And the largest, thickest and oldest oak is also ours.
And it has a name - Kaives senču ozols (Ancient Kaiv oak). It grows in the Tukums region near the northern outskirts of the town of Kaive, not far from the Senchi farm. In the old days, pagans revered it as a real magical artifact. Nowadays, the legendary oak tree is also carefully guarded by the state. The tree, which looks more like a huge branched baobab than an oak, is under the supervision of the Latvian Petroglyph Center, which is engaged in the study of historical and natural monuments and objects. Kaiva oak is definitely one of the most important and significant treasures in Latvia, says the head of the center Andris Grinbergs.
We check it from time to time and this moment I can say that the circumference of its trunk is 10 meters 52 centimeters. This is the largest century-old tree not only in Latvia, but in the entire Baltic.
In Lithuania, the closest competitor of our oak grows - the Stelmuzh oak, the circumference of its trunk is 9 meters 80 cm, so ours is more than 70 centimeters more powerful," emphasizes Grinbergs.
The age of such trees - oaks and lindens growing in our region - can be determined quite simply: you need to divide the circumference of the trunk in centimeters by 2. That is, it turns out that the age of the Kaivsky oak is about 530 years. There is information that he is over a thousand years old, but this is most likely not true. And about the Stelmuzh oak in tourist booklets they write that it is over 2 thousand years old, but this is nonsense - by the circumference you can say that it is less than 500 years old. This has been scientifically proven, by measuring the circumference of oaks, we notice that in our conditions, an oak “gets fat” by an average of 2 centimeters per year. All our trees have such growth rates, except for pines that grow in swamps or in dunes. Here they have a smaller annual increase.
In general, it must be said that we can rightfully be proud of the abundance of age-old trees in our country. In Lithuania and Estonia there are much fewer of them.
Let's say, if we take the top 20 Baltic oaks, then number two in this twenty is the largest oak in Lithuania. And the largest oak in Estonia is somewhere in the fifteenth place, if not lower. It is only about 8 and a half meters in girth. The remaining 18 largest century-old trees in the Baltics are ours!
We are lucky with the climate, the oaks like it very much. In Poland, by the way, there are also a lot of oaks, but there they do not grow so large. They have a lot of eight- and nine-meter oaks, but there is only one tree more than 10 meters in circumference - 10 meters, 10 centimeters, so it also falls short of ours. They had one oak larger than Kaivsky, but hooligans burned it several years ago.
We also have other outstanding old-timers. The largest linden tree in our country grows in Kurzeme, in the town of Valdemārpils, on the outskirts. Its circumference is almost 9 meters, approximately 8 meters and 80 centimeters. It is one of the largest by Baltic standards.
It is more difficult with pines: they often become multi-stemmed with age, and growing too tall they break under the onslaught of the wind. Therefore, the largest pine in Latvia is the Allu pine in Kurzeme, with a girth of “only” 4 meters and 44 cm, with a height of more than 24 meters, which is a very good result for a pine.”
The Allu pine, which Andris Grinbergs, the head of the Latvian Petroglyph Center, is talking about, is located on the left bank of the Stende River near Ventspils. And the oldest linden, which grows 14 km from Talsi on the outskirts of Valdemarpils, also saw Duke Jacob. She also has a name - Elku, the linden of the Idols.
Board member of the "Rīgas Meži" enterprise Uldis Sommers is a big fan of the Kaiva oak and is very sorry that the capital cannot boast of such centuries-old heroes. But, according to him,
there are plants in Riga that you will not see anywhere else in Latvia. This tradition was introduced a hundred years ago by the famous landscape architect Georg Kufaldt,
being the director of gardens and parks in Riga, he planted many exotic flowers, shrubs and trees in its green areas. Today, a century later, even in the most ordinary public garden, you can sometimes stumble upon amazing plants that are in no way associated with our region.
A tulip tree has been growing on Washington Square with the light hand of the US Embassy for 6 years now. Under normal conditions, it can grow even up to 50 meters. Opposite the opera house, in the park of the University of Latvia, grows the oldest tree on the planet, which has remained unchanged since the Mesozoic era - this is ginkgo. In Riga, the first trees of this species were planted personally by the legendary Kufaldt. And at the opera there grows a sapling donated to Riga by the inhabitants of Germany.
Swiss Shahverdi Ahadov plants walnuts all over Europe. With his light hand, in the Ebelmuižas park in Ziepniekkalns and on the Daugava promenade, nuts of the Francquette variety, bred in France, grow.
And a certain resident of Plakantsiems, a Siberian by origin, presented Riga with a real Siberian cedar. It can be viewed in the capital's Victory Park. And in Riga there are magnolias. Previously, these exotic trees grew only in the botanical garden. And now magnolia, the visiting card of the subtropics, grows and blooms in Riga parks: Vermansky, Kronvalda and the square near the opera.
But the most exotic plant for our latitudes is the Kentucky coffee tree, it is also soapy, it is also a dioecious hazelnut, it grows right on the embankment of the Riga Canal.
Not far from the house of the beaver Askold. It appeared in Riga back in the 60s of the last century, and some of the seedlings not only took root, but even bear fruit - brown pods with beans and a green gel-like substance.
Despite the name, Bunduk beans are not coffee beans, they are even poisonous when raw. But the gel filling of the pods lathers well and the American natives used it instead of detergents.
By the way, for those Latvians who want to donate a tree to the capital or another city, "Rīgas Mezhi" advises to coordinate the location of the gift with the companies that manage green spaces. And he wishes everyone else to enjoy the living treasures of Latvia carefully – not to pluck the leaves, to protect them from vandals so that many more generations of Latvians can see them.
Latvia- land of forests. It ranks 4th in the European Union in terms of forested area.
In the past Latvia (Latvian republic) was part of the USSR as a union republic. FROM August 21, 1991. it is an independent state.
Latvia borders on Estonia, Russia, Belarus and Lithuania. It is washed by the waters of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga.
State symbols of Latvia
Flag- a rectangular panel of three different-sized horizontal stripes: burgundy, white and burgundy in a ratio of 2:1:2 to each other. The ratio of the flag's width to its length is 1:2.
According to legend, the red-white-red flag of Latvia is one of the oldest in the world. Its history dates back to the time of the battle between the Knights of the Sword and the Letts near Wenden in 13th century According to legend, the basis of the flag was a white cloth, in which the mortally wounded leader of the Latvian tribe was carried out from the battlefield. The warriors raised the blood-soaked cloth at both ends like a banner, and it led them to victory.
Coat of arms- crossed and semi-cut into azure, silver and scarlet shield. The azure field depicts a stylized golden rising Sun with divergent rays, in silver - a scarlet lion looking to the left, in a red field - a silver griffin looking to the right, holding a blade in its right paw. Above the shield are three arched golden five-pointed stars. The shield is supported by a rearing scarlet lion and a silver griffin, standing on a base of green branches entwined with a ribbon.
There are three types of coat of arms: large, small expanded and small coat of arms.
Great coat of arms used by the President, the Parliament (Saeima), the Prime Minister, the Cabinet of Ministers, ministries, the Supreme Court, the Prosecutor General's Office, the Bank of Latvia, as well as diplomatic and consular representations of Latvia.
Small supplemented coat of arms used by committees and commissions of Parliament and the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as by institutions directly subordinate to these authorities.
Small coat of arms used by other government agencies, municipal local governments, and educational institutions on official documents.
Brief description of modern Latvia
Capital- Riga.
Largest cities- Riga, Daugavpils, Liepaja, Jelgava, Jurmala.
Form of government- parliamentary republic.
head of state- President elected for 4 years.
Head of the government(Cabinet of Ministers) Prime Minister.
Territory- 64,589 km².
Population– 2 201 196 people Latvians make up 76.97% of the population, Russians - 8.83%, Belarusians - 1.4%, Poles - 2.6%, Lithuanians - 1.2%, Jews - 4.9%, Germans - 3.3%.
official religion- No. But the predominant number of Latvians are Lutherans, Russian speakers are Orthodox, Poles are Catholics. The society is tolerant towards various religious movements.
Economy- the share of the service sector in Latvia's GDP is 70.6%, industry - 24.7%, agriculture - 4.7%.
Main export commodities of Latvia: electrical machinery and equipment, machinery and mechanisms, iron and non-alloy steel, lumber, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel products, iron and steel primary products, round timber, knitwear and textiles, non-ferrous metals and their products.
Russia remains a traditional trading partner of Latvia.
Official language- Latvian. Among national minorities, dissatisfaction is caused by the lack of official status for the Russian language, which is native to 37.5% of the population.
Currency- Latvian lat.
Education The education system is divided into basic, secondary and higher education. The state provides secondary full education. Compulsory education is 9 years, then optional school education can be continued up to 12 years.
Grade 1 starts at age 6 or 7. Basic education is designed for 9 years. In secondary education, there are two types of programs: general secondary (its task is to prepare for further studies, it is designed for 3 years) and professional secondary educational program (focused on obtaining professional qualifications). The Latvian education system has implemented a system of centralized examinations (Unified State Examination, USE).
Climate- moderate, natural disasters are rare.
Ecology- Generally favorable. In 2012, Latvia ranked second in the world (after Switzerland) in terms of environmental performance index.
Culture of Latvia
Literature
In fact, original Latvian literature began in the 19th century, when Latvians began to receive higher education, as a result of which a full-fledged national literature was created. Famous poets of this time - Janis Rainis(Jan Pliekshans) and aspasia(Elsa Rosenberg).
In the USSR, much attention was paid to the translation of national literatures into Russian. As a result, the names Latvian writersLatsis, Upita, Manes, Sudrabkalna, Kempe, Ziedonis, Grigulis, Skuinya, Vatsietis and etc.
Music
Latvian National School of Music began to take shape in the second half of the nineteenth century. One of its first representatives were composers Karlis Baumanis(1835-1905), author of the text and music of the Latvian national anthem, and Janis Cimze(1814-1881), who collected and processed folk music. Among the musical genres, choral singing developed most actively, in 1873
passed the first song festival, which has become traditional and is held every five years.
The main opera venue of the Latvian SSR was the State Opera and Ballet Theatre. Classical and modern operas, including the latest works by Latvian composers.
Modern musicians have gained worldwide fame: composers Janis Ivanov, Paul Dambis, Maya Einfelde, Arthur Grinups, Imants Kalnins, Romualds Kalsons, Raimonds Pauls, Romuald Kalsons, Imants Zemzaris, conductors Arvid Jansons and his son Maris, singers Karlis Zarins, Ingus Petersons, Samson Izyumov, Alexander Antonenko, singers Germaine Heine-Wagner, Inesse Galante, pianists Artur Ozoliņš, Ilze Graubina, Vestards Simkus, violinists Baiba Skride, Ieva Graubina-Bravo, Valdis Zarinsh and Gidon Kremer, piano duet Nora Novik and Raffi Kharajanyan, cellist Eleonora Testelec, organists Talivaldis Deksnis, Iveta Apkalne.
- an outstanding violinist and conductor, winner of many international violin competitions. Gidon Kremer's repertoire includes works by classics (Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach) and contemporary composers.
Sport
The most popular sport is hockey, then basketball, football, volleyball, tennis, cycling, bobsleigh and luge.
Natural sights of Latvia
Waterfall on the Venta River
The widest waterfall in Europe, located in Kuldiga. Its width depends on the amount of water (on average 100-110 m), but in high water it can reach 279 m. The height is from 1.6 to 2.2 m. The rapids of the waterfall form an intricate zigzag line.
Gutman cave
The largest cave in Latvia and the entire Baltic. It is located on the right bank of the Gauja River in the Gauja National Park near the city of Sigulda.
The walls of the cave are made of red sandstone formed in the Devonian period (ca. 410 million years ago). A stream flows out of the cave and flows into the river Gauja. The depth of the cave is 18.8 m, width 12 m, height 10 m.
white dune
It is one of the most beautiful coastal dunes in Latvia with a beautiful view of the Vidzeme coast. There is a special observation deck where you can relax. From the White Dune along the sea coast, a 3.6 km Sunset Walking Trail has been created. From the white dune you can see the mouth of the river Inchupe.
Bulduri Dendrological Park
Bulduri- part of the city of Jurmala, 20 km from Riga. This place is named after the owner of the estate, Johann Buldrink, who lived in the 15th century. On the territory of Bulduri there is a Dendrological Park. The park has a rich collection of flowers and trees.
At the beginning of the XXI century. a shopping center and a water park have been built near the bridge across the Lielupe.
Waterfall on Alekshupite
Waterfall in Kuldiga, at the very source of Alekshupite, which flows from the Venta River. Height 4.15 m, width 8 m. second waterfall by height in Latvia. Above the waterfall is a bridge, as well as a mill dam. It is believed to have been built in 13th century. along with the castle. In the 17th century it was reinforced to turn the wheel that powered the first paper mill in Kurzeme.
Gauja (national park)
The biggest national park in Latvia. It occupies an area of 917.45 km² in the valley of the Gauja River, a few kilometers from the city of Valmiera. Founded in 1979, it is the oldest national park in Latvia.
The park is particularly famous for the Devonian sandstone cliffs along the banks of the Gauja River. In some places in the Sigulda region, the height of these cliffs reaches 90 meters. The southeastern part of the park is a popular recreation area for residents of the city of Riga, while the northwestern part is more of a nature protection zone.
The territory of the park includes several historical buildings: Turaida Castle, Lielstraupe (castle and church), Ungurmuiža manor. 47% of the territory of the park is covered with forests, mainly spruce and pine. There are many lakes in the park, the largest of which is Ungurs.
Ķemeri (national park)
Founded in 1997 It includes the Great Ķemeri Bog, Lake Kanieru, the valley of the Slocene River, the sulfur springs of the Zala (Green) Bog, ancient continental dunes, a sandy beach with coastal dunes and Lake Valguma. It occupies an area of 38165 hectares, of which 1954 hectares are in the Gulf of Riga.
Kolka (cape)
A strategically important cape located at the extreme northern tip of the Kurzeme Peninsula in the historical and geographical region of Courland. It has a strategic location at the entrance to the Gulf of Riga of the Baltic Sea. Also known for Kolka lighthouse (since 1875). Translated from Liv, it means "sharp corner" (the shape of a cape).
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Latvia
Old Town (Riga)
The oldest part of the city on the right bank of the Daugava River. Old Riga is famous for its cathedrals and historical buildings. A significant part of the sights of Riga is concentrated in Old Riga, where the streets are still lined with cobblestones and where the medieval flavor of the city is felt. In the 80s of the XX century. the city authorities, with rare exceptions, banned traffic on the territory of Old Riga.
Sights of Old Riga
The Cathedral of the city of Riga, its symbol and one of the main attractions. It is the largest medieval church in the Baltic States. The name of the cathedral comes from the Latin "Domus Dei" ("House of God") and "D.O.M." (short for Deo Optimo Maximo, "To the Most Benevolent Greatest God"). Currently - the main church building of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia. Was founded in 1211
Numerous rebuildings have led to the interweaving of different architectural styles. From the Gothic period, the northern portal of the church, the former main entrance, has been preserved. In addition to Gothic and Baroque, there are fragments in the Renaissance and Romanesque styles. Due to floods, the streets of Riga have been graveled for centuries, as a result, the floor level in the temple is much lower than the street level, as a result, there is a feeling that the cathedral is located in a lowland.
The sights of the cathedral also include a memorial stone of small guilds (19th century), baroque carvings (c. 1641) and the tomb of the first bishop of Livonia, Meinhard von Segeberg.
Lutheran Church of St. Petra
The oldest religious building of the city, first mentioned in 1209. The church is famous for its original, recognizable spire (the total height of the church tower is 123.5 m, of which 64.5 m falls on the spire). It was built as a folk church: merchants, artisans and other residents of the city took an active part in raising funds for the construction. One of the oldest schools in the city operated at the church. Created in gothic style.
Cathedral of Saint James
brick monument gothic, the fourth largest church in Riga, the main Catholic church in Latvia, the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Riga. For several centuries and until the middle of the XX century. was a cathedral Lutheran church.
An example of the transitional period from Romanesque to Gothic. First mentioned in 1225 g. The windows of the Riga St. James Church are covered stained glass windows that were created in the 19th century.
house with black cats
The building in the central part of the Old Town of Riga, built in 1909 architect Friedrich Scheffel in the style of the late rational modern. It is one of the most "legendary" buildings in the Old Town.
There is an unverified legend that the wealthy homeowner Blumer (Plume), unhappy that he was not allowed to become a member of the Riga Great Guild, the representative body of the Riga merchants, undertook an act of psychological retribution. He commissioned sculptures of black cats with curved backs and placed them on the pointed turrets of his tenement house, located on the opposite side of Meistaru Street. These cats were turned with their tails towards the windows of the office of the elder of the Big Guild. A lawsuit was started against Blumer, but legal measures failed to get Blumer to turn the cats around. Far from immediately, the cats managed to deploy the “correct” angle.
Large and Small Guilds
The Great Guild was formed in 1354, in the same year the Small Guild appeared, this is not a coincidence: until that time, the inhabitants of Riga had a single guild of citizens, called the Guild of the Holy Cross and the Trinity, and in 1354. it split into two - the guild of craftsmen (Small) and the guild of merchants (Big).
Unlike the Small Guild, which united craft people under its roof, the Big Guild accepted only the Riga merchants into its ranks.
powder tower
The only surviving tower, part of the Riga city fortification system, which is a branch of the Latvian Military Museum. For the first time in the annalistic source it is mentioned in 1330 in connection with the conquest of the city by the troops of the Livonian Order. Especially for Master Eberhardt von Monheim, a hole was made in the fortress wall with a cannon shot, through which he pompously drove into the newly conquered Riga. It was decided to improve the fortification system of the city, a tower was erected, which was named after the features of the surrounding relief - Peschanaya.
Riga castle
It is currently the residence of the President of Latvia. One of the most historically and culturally significant buildings in the Latvian capital.
The history of the castle dates back to 1330 when its construction was started by the Livonian knights forced out of the city at that time.
House of the Blackheads
Architectural monument 14th century The building has been rebuilt several times. During the Second World War it was destroyed. Restored today.
In the end 13th century. There was a brotherhood of St. George, which accepted young unmarried foreign merchants. Its original patron was St. George - the patron saint of knights and warriors, later - St. Mauritius (its symbol - a black head - was in the coat of arms of the brotherhood) and the name of the Blackheads was assigned to them. The corporation was completely secular.
Three brothers
Architectural complex. A characteristic example of the architecture of medieval Riga. In the Three Brothers complex, each of the buildings shows different periods in the development of residential building construction in medieval Latvia. Today, the State Inspectorate for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, the Union of Latvian Architects, the Latvian Museum of Architecture and the editorial office of the magazine Latvijas Architektūra are located here.
Most old brother(White brother) built around 1490.,middle-brother- in 1646., the youngest(Green brother) - at the end 17th century
swedish gate
The Swedish gates were cut in the Riga fortress wall in 1689 Legend has it that the building where the gate is now belonged to a wealthy Riga merchant. In order not to constantly pay taxes when importing goods into the city, he took and cut through this passage. This is the only city gate in Riga that has been preserved in its original form.
Latvian National Opera
The building was built in the city center in 1863. as the 1st city (German) theater, but after 20 years there was a major fire, as a result of which the building was destroyed in 1885-1887. rebuilt.
AT 1919. The Latvian National Opera, which previously did not have a permanent location, moves into the theater building. The first performance took place on January 21, 1919, it was Richard Wagner's production of The Flying Dutchman.
Riga Central Market
One of the oldest and largest markets in Europe and America, featuring an original design. The design of the pavilions shows features of functional modernity, the neoclassical style that was common in Riga before the war - this pompous manor style traditionally served wealthy Riga merchants and entrepreneurs. Some details of the facades are decorated in the Art Deco style. Under the pavilions, underground storage facilities and refrigeration units are equipped.
Riga Aviation Museum
The largest aviation technology museum in Latvia and one of the largest in Europe. The most big collection Soviet aircraft outside the CIS. Leads its history from the formation of the Club of Young Pilots. F. Zander in 1965. It was officially opened in 1997 on the initiative of V.P. Talp, a former military engineer of naval aviation of the Black Sea Fleet. The territory of the Riga International Airport was allocated to house the museum.
Other sights of Latvia
Freedom Monument
Installed in 1935. in memory of the fallen fighters for the independence of Latvia. Sculptor Karlis Zale, architect E. E. Shtalberg. It is a vertical monument 42 m high. It is made of gray and red granite, travertine, concrete and copper. At the base, there are 13 sculptures and bas-reliefs depicting pages of the country's history, from the legendary hero Lachplesis to the Latvian Red Riflemen.
At the top of the main pylon, 19 meters high, there is a 9-meter figure of "Freedom" - a young woman holding three stars on her outstretched arms, symbolizing the three provinces of Latvia: Kurzeme (Courland), Vidzeme (Lifland) and Latgale (Latgale).
An inscription is carved on the facade of the monument: "Tēvzemei un Brīvībai" ("To the Fatherland and Freedom").
Rundāle Palace
Country residence of the Dukes of Courland, 12 km northwest of Bauska in the village of Pilsrundale. Built in baroque style according to the project F. B. Rastrelli for E. I. Biron. Laid in 1740., finished in 1768
The palace ensemble consists of the palace building itself with stables and other outbuildings, to which a French garden of 10 hectares adjoins from the south, closed on all sides by a canal, followed by a hunting park (34 hectares).
Currently, the palace and the garden adjacent to it are a museum. It is also used for the reception of high-ranking foreign guests by the President of Latvia.
Riga Motor Museum
Automobile Museum in Riga, expositions include over 230 cars, motorcycles and mopeds XIX to end XX century. The Motor Museum presents sports and military vehicles, Latvian-made cars, limousines and cars of the 1930s (including Molotov's car, Brezhnev's limousine).
Art Museum (Riga)
One of oldest museums Riga. The collection of the museum consists of over 52,000 exhibits, divided into two extensive collections: Latvian and foreign art. The Latvian art collection is the largest in the world and reflects the history of the development of painting, graphics and sculpture in Latvia from the middle of the 18th century. until now.
Latvian Ethnographic Museum
One of the largest museums in open sky in Europe. Was created in 1924, open to visitors in 1932. Located in a picturesque place on the shores of Lake Jugla, away from city buildings, almost on the border of Riga.
On the territory of 84 hectares is located 118
residential, commercial, public wooden buildings built in XVII - XX centuries. in different historical regions of Latvia.
Jurmala
Jurmala- the largest resort city in Latvia and the Baltic countries. AT concert hall"Dzintari" annually hosts the KVN music festival and international competition young performers "New Wave", as well as the festival "Yurmalina", performances of "Full House" and other concerts and festivals.
Daugavpils
The second largest and most important city in the country after the capital Riga. First mentioned in 1275 g. The historical center of Daugavpils (the building of quarters of the city center of the 19th - early 20th centuries) is a monument of urban planning of national importance, it was included in the list of protected objects, monuments in 1998.
History Center
Daugavpils fortress (Dinaburg)
A fortification located on both banks of the Zapadnaya Dvina (Daugava) River. Monument of urban planning and architecture of national importance.
Construction was started in 1810. by order of the emperor Alexander I on the eve of the war with Napoleon I in order to strengthen the western border of the Russian Empire. The work was supervised by a military engineer, General E. F. Haeckel. During the war 1812 the fortress was damaged. AT 1830. the fortress of Dinaburg was transferred to martial law as a result of the Polish uprising. 2 June 1833
In the presence of Emperor Nicholas I and the highest clergy of Russia, the consecration of the fortress took place.
AT 1863. in connection with the Polish rebellion, the fortress was again transferred to martial law. Construction work in the fortress continued until 1878, although the main volume was completed in 1864
Entertaining sculptures are installed in the city, for example, turtle sculpture, bat monument, cat sculpture, etc.
Liepaja
A city in southwestern Latvia on the coast of the Baltic Sea. The third largest city in Latvia after Riga and Daugavpils and an important ice-free port.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Anna.
It has a unique organ, the third largest in Latvia.
Orthodox Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas. The first stone was laid by Tsar Nicholas II himself.
Liepaja is a center of culture and sports, various sports events are held here: the International Chess Tournament, the World Championship in rocket modeling, the basketball championship "Līvu alus", one of the stages of the international tennis tournament "Davis Cup", the annual July rally "Kurzeme", Liepaja Games Vikings organized by the Association of Latvian Heroes, international orienteering competitions (KĀPA) and "sports weekends", during which every Liepaja citizen can take part in beach volleyball, football, streetball, minigolf, floorball, cycling and relay races.
Liepaja Sports Center
Jelgava (original name Mitava)
Founded in 1573. Located on the river Lielupe.
Mitava (Jelgava) Palace
The largest baroque palace in the Baltics, built in 18th century project B. Rastrelli as the ceremonial city residence of the Dukes of Courland and Semigallia in their capital Mitava (now Jelgava).
Cathedral of Simeon and Anna
Cathedral of the Latvian Orthodox Church in the city of Jelgava, consecrated in honor of St. Simeon the God-Receiver and St. Anna the Prophetess. It has a chapel in the name of St. Alexis, the man of God. AT 1711 Peter I at the marriage of his niece Anna Ioannovna with the Duke of Courland Friedrich Wilhelm demanded from him a promise to build an Orthodox church in the capital city of Mitau. This has been done.
In September 2010, a multifunctional sports complex Zemgale Olympic Center. The Jelgava football team plays its home matches at its stadium, while basketball and volleyball teams play in the sports hall.
House of fairy tales "Ondine"
Located next to the station Dubulty. Undine in Western mythology is called a mermaid.
The main goal of "Ondine" is to preserve and revive fairy tales, ethical values, folk traditions, crafts. Creative people like to visit the House of Fairy Tales: artists, poets, musicians, artisans, everyone tries to leave something about themselves as a keepsake as murals, carvings, sculptures, handicrafts, songs.
History of Latvia
Until the 12th century the territory of Latvia was inhabited by pagan tribes of the Balts, Finno-Ugric peoples, Slavs, Livs. The Livs paid tribute to the princes of Polotsk, others paid tribute to the kings of Sweden. From the second half 12th century on the territory of eastern Latvia, Russian missionaries preached the Christian faith in the Orthodox version, but the locals were reluctant to move away from pagan beliefs. During the era of the Crusades, Christians Western Europe went to convert to Christianity and northern pagans.
AT 1201. Riga was founded. Riga, due to its geographical position, has always been an important trading region (in the past, part of the “ Ways from the Varangians to the Greeks).
In the picture: I. Aivazovsky "The Varangian Saga - the path from the Varangians to the Greeks"
Residents of Riga actively participated in the Reformation, in 1517. a preacher of ideas arrived in Riga Luther Andreas Knopken. Most of the burghers readily accepted the new doctrine. In 1530, Nikolaus Ramm translated passages from the Bible into Latvian for the first time.
AT 1558 invaded the territory of Livonia Ivan the Terrible. The pretext is non-payment of tribute for 300 years. AT 1583 Russia lost the war. The territory of Livonia was divided between the Polish-Lithuanian Grand Duchy, Sweden (the north of present-day Estonia) and Denmark (she got the island of Ezel, now Saaremaa); the lands of the Order to the north of the Western Dvina became the Duchy of Zadvinsk, ruled by Poland, and the lands to the south became the vassal state of the Commonwealth - the Duchy of Courland.
John Vasilyevich the Great, Emperor of Russia, Prince of Moscow
17th century is the time of the formation of the Latvian nation as a result of the consolidation of individual peoples. AT 1638 Georg Manselius compiled the first Latvian dictionary "Lettus", in 1649 Historia Lettica (Latvian History) by Paulus Einhorn was published.
18th century AT 1721 according to the results of the Northern War, Livonia departs from the Russian Empire. Riga became part of Russia in fact already in 1710
During the first division of the Commonwealth in 1772
Latgale goes to Russia. During the third division of the Commonwealth in 1795. Kurzeme and Zemgale are ceded to the Russian Empire.
19th century War with Napoleon 1812 partly affected the territory of Latvia.
AT 1817-1819. serfdom was abolished in Courland and Livonia provinces.
AT 1861 the first in the territory of modern Latvia was put into operation Railway Riga-Daugavpils. AT 1862. The Riga Polytechnic Institute was opened. From the middle of the XIX century. growth intensifies national consciousness Latvians. At the end of the XIX century. industrial development begins.
The Russian-Baltic Carriage Works, the Feniks Carriage Works, and the Provodnik Rubber Products Plant began to operate, and the first cars and bicycles in Russia were produced. The leading industries are mechanical engineering and metalworking.
20th century An active struggle for the independence of Latvia begins. AT 1915 Germany occupies Kurzeme, industry is evacuated from Latvian cities, great destruction occurs in Dvinsk (now Daugavpils), creation of Latvian rifle units. They were later used to suppress anti-Bolshevik uprisings in a number of cities (Yaroslavl, Murom, Rybinsk, Kaluga, Saratov, Novgorod, etc.)
AT 1918-1920. going on Civil War in Latvia. The main participants in the conflict: the national bourgeois government K. Ulmanis, supported by the Entente, and Soviet power, supported by Soviet Russia. Pro-German formations participated in the war, from among the military personnel of the German army, the Baltic Germans, the Russian White Guards who supported them and the White Guards who joined the Entente.
December 22 1918. Lenin signed the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars on Recognizing the Independence of the Soviet Republic of Latvia.
May 15 1934. going on coup d'état, absolute power in the country is concentrated in the hands of K. Ulmanis.
August 23 1939 The Third Reich and the Soviet Union sign the Non-Aggression Pact (also known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact). The treaty was accompanied by a secret additional protocol on the division of the countries of Eastern Europe into spheres of German and Soviet interests ( Latvia fell into the sphere of influence of the USSR).
June 15 1940 USSR military units attacked Latvian border guards in Maslenki. The next day, the Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs, V. Molotov, read out to the Latvian Ambassador F. Kotsins the ultimatum of the USSR government, which demanded the resignation of the Latvian government and the introduction of an unlimited contingent of Soviet armed forces into Latvia. The government of K. Ulmanis decided to accept the ultimatum and resign.
The Saeima proclaims Latvia a Soviet Republic (Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic). In the first wave of repressions (until June 22, 1941), about 17000 people(including about 4,000 citizens under the age of 16), up to 400 people were shot. During World War II, by mid-July, the entire territory of Latvia was occupied by the Wehrmacht. AT 1941-1943 battalions of the "auxiliary security police", regular police battalions, volunteer battalions are being formed; these formations participate in police and punitive operations on the territory of Latvia, Belarus and Russia. From september 1941 Latvian police battalions took an active part in sabotage and punitive attacks on the territory of the Pskov region, Belarus, destroying the civilian population and partisans. During World War II, out of 80,000 Jews in Latvia, 162 survived. For 1941-1944 only the "Latvian Auxiliary Security Police" or, as it was also called the "Arajs team", destroyed about 50 thousand Jews.
October 13, 1944 Red Army units enter Riga.
Before 1991. The Latvian SSR is part of the USSR. Industry is developing in the republic (enterprises VEF, Radiotekhnika, RAF, Laima). During this period, many party leaders of Soviet Latvia were promoted to leading positions in Moscow, among them a member of Pelshe A. Ya., the head of the KGB of Latvia, Pugo B. K., and others.
August 21, 1991. Latvia becomes an independent state.
Latvia became a member of the European Union in 2004 and signed Treaty of Lisbon in 2007
Written evidence of a red flag with a white stripe dates back to the second half of the 13th century, when the ancient Latgalian tribes fought with the Estonian tribes with such a flag. This information makes it possible to rank the Latvian flag among the oldest flags in the world. In the late 60s of the XIX century, the mention of the red-white-red flag in the past in the “Rhymed Chronicle” of the Livonian Order was found by the Latvian student Jekabs Lautenbachs-Jusmins, a folklore researcher,later became a professor. The “Rhymed Chronicle” describes the events that took place on the territory of Latvia until 1290, glorifies the merits of the Crusaders for converting the pagans living in the territory of Latvia to the Christian faith. Based on the above historical information, the artist Ansis Cīrulis in May 1917 developed a modern design for the national flag of Latvia. The red color of the Latvian flag has a special dark tone. The proportional distribution of the colors of the flag is as follows: 2:1:2 (the lower and upper red part of the flag is always twice as wide as the middle - white), and the proportions of length and width are 2:1. The state flag of Latvia in this form and the coat of arms were approved by a special resolution of the Parliament on June 15, 1921.
The area of use of the state emblem of Latvia is strictly regulated. Three types of state emblems are used - large, small supplemented and small coat of arms.
National anthem"God bless Latvia" is National anthem Latvia. The author of the text and music of the anthem is the Latvian composer Karlis Baumanis (Karlis Baumaniu). The song "God Bless Latvia" was composed in the second half of the 19th century, when the process of national awakening of the Latvian people began. Karlis Baumanis was the first Latvian composer who dared to mention the word “Latvia” in the lyrics of a song. Despite the fact that at that time the Latvian people did not yet dare to dream of creating a state that was completely independent and independent of the Russian Empire, the song "God Bless Latvia" helped to strengthen the self-consciousness of the people. The use of the word "Latvia" in the song should be assessed as a vivid confirmation of the awareness of the Latvian national identity, but this did not satisfy the Russian Empire. At first, the Russian authorities even forbade the mention of the word "Latvia" in the title and in the lyrics of the song, and it had to be replaced by the word "Baltic". For the first time this song, which later became the anthem of Latvia, was performed at the First General Latvian Song Festival at the end of June 1873 in Riga, and as a national anthem on November 18, 1918 during the act of proclaiming the Republic of Latvia. On June 7, 1920, the song "God Bless Latvia" was officially approved as the national anthem.
The use of the official symbols of Latvia - the flag, coat of arms and anthem - has been banned since June 1940, when Latvia was occupied by the communist USSR. They were re-approved as official state symbols on February 15, 1990.
Other symbols of Latvia
national bird
The name of this insect in Latvian is a synonym for the Latvian ancient deity Mara, who embodies earthly power. The two-spotted ladybug was approved as the national insect of Latvia in 1991 by the Latvian Society of Entomologists.national flower
national trees
Linden is considered the national tree of Latvia (
Tilia cordata) and oak ( Quercus robur). Oak and linden are characteristic elements of the Latvian landscape. Both trees are still used for medicinal purposes. Lime inflorescences and oak bark are used to make medicinal products for tinctures. In Latvian folk songs (dainas), which express the primordial folk concepts of morality and ethics, linden and oak are most often mentioned among other trees.In Latvian folk beliefs and folklore, linden is traditionally considered a symbol of femininity, and oak is a symbol of masculinity. The reverence of the people for these trees is evidenced by the rural landscape, where often a mighty century-old oak or a majestic linden is left untouched or even fenced in among the cultivated field.
AmberAmber has long been considered a precious stone characteristic of the territory of the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. The Latvians themselves sometimes call the Baltic Sea the "Amber Sea", thus emphasizing the symbolic significance of amber in the history of the people and the country. Unlike other precious and semi-precious stones formed as a result of inorganic chemical processes, Baltic amber was formed from organic matter- from the petrified resin of coniferous trees. Therefore, amber absorbs body heat and is easy to work with.
In the distant past, the territory of Latvia was widely known as a place where amber was mined. Amber from the coast of the Baltic Sea was used as a raw material in jewelry, as well as a means of trade in Ancient Egypt, Assyria, Greece and the Roman Empire. In some places it was valued even higher than gold. Both in the old days and today, amber is mainly used as an ornament. Since ancient times, in Latvia and elsewhere in the world, it has been used to make amulets, pendants, buttons, necklaces, as well as very complex jewelry and ornaments. Amber has been used and is still used for medical purposes, since the succinic acid contained in it is considered a unique biostimulant.
Symbol of Latvia's fate - DaugavaThe national river of Latvia is popularly considered to be the Daugava. The Daugava is the largest river flowing through Latvia (the total length is 1005 kilometers, of which 352 kilometers are in Latvia). Since the time of romanticism in Latvian literature, the Daugava has been considered the river of “destiny”, or the “mother river”, which influences the history of the people. For many centuries, the Daugava has been an important transport artery, a source of livelihood and a source of energy (the largest hydroelectric power plants in Latvia are located on the Daugava). In the past and at present, the Daugava demarcates various historical regions, it separates Kurzeme and Zemgale from Vidzeme and Latgale.
Symbol of Independence - Freedom MonumentThe Freedom Monument in the capital Riga has undoubtedly become a symbol of Latvia's independence. It was erected from 1931 to 1935 with donations from the people. The monument was sculpted by the Latvian sculptor Karlis Zale. Sculptural groups at the base of the monument illustrate certain important events in the history of Latvia, and the monument ends with the image of Freedom - a female figure symbolizing the idea of Latvian sovereignty.
At the foot of the Freedom Monument there are always flowers that are placed here as a sign of deep respect for those who created the state and gave their lives in the battles for independence in the name of the national state and the well-being of the people.
Janov dayThe most significant Latvian traditional holiday is considered by the people to be Janov's Day or the Ligo holiday. For the Latvian people, this holiday has acquired a deep symbolic meaning and is known outside of Latvia.
Ligo evening is celebrated on June 23, and Janov's day is celebrated the next day, June 24. The holiday coincides with the period of the summer solstice, and it is celebrated following many ancient traditions. The celebration of Ligo is mainly expressed in the gathering of herbs, flowers, wreaths of oak leaves and flowers are made on this day, yards, buildings and domestic animals are decorated with wild flowers and plants, bonfires are burned in the evening and special songs “ligo” are sung. The ritual treat is Janov cheese and barley beer.
©Text: Raimonds Ceruzis
Symbol of independence
The Freedom Monument in Riga has undoubtedly become a symbol of Latvia's independence. It was erected in 1931-1935 with donations from the people.
The monument was sculpted by the Latvian sculptor Karlis Zale.
Sculptural groups at the base of the monument illustrate certain important events in the history of Latvia, and the Freedom Monument ends with a female figure, symbolizing the idea of Latvian sovereignty.
At the foot of the monument there are always flowers that are laid as a sign of deep respect for those who created the state and gave their lives in the battles for independence in the name of the well-being of the people.
The idea of creating a monument dates back to the 1920s. Its initiator was the architect E. Laube. He even sketched a sketch of the monument. But he was not supported. After the war, there were not enough funds for the construction of two monuments - the Fraternal Cemetery and the Freedom Monument.
The conditions of the competition in 1923 indicated that the total amount could not exceed 300,000 lats, which was by no means cheap. Two years later, President Gustavs Zemgals called out: there is no money in the budget, we are collecting from the world one by one!
In 1927, the relatively non-partisan Freedom Monument Committee met under the leadership of the same president. Two years later the real giving began. Lotteries, dances, concerts and other charity events were held in parallel.
About three million lats were collected for the construction of the monument (2 381 370.74 Ls were used). A special competition was created for the best design of the monument. Its winner styles are sculptor Karlis Zale and architect Ernests Shtalbergs. After finalizing the project, the construction of the monument began.
In 1931, on Independence Day, the groundbreaking ceremony took place. Near another whole pedestal of the monument to Peter, they buried a copper capsule with coins, fresh press and the Orders of the Three Stars - the third and fifth degrees. An orchestra played, a hymn was sung, cannons were fired at the Opera.
Opening the monument, Latvian President Alberts Kviesis said:
Four years have passed since the very day when we gathered at this place to lay the foundation of the Freedom Monument. During these four years, the monument gradually grew upwards, until, finally, it grew in all its nobility - now ready for opening ... The people created this monument with voluntarily donated funds. The family of donors, regardless of ethnicity and social status, is unusually large, their number is completely incalculable. Our industrialists, merchants, farmers, intellectuals participated in their contribution. Out of their smallness, workers and school youth also gave. In the hearts of all donors, and especially those whose well-being is not so great, an ardent love for the Fatherland burned. Opening the monument to the Freedom of the Latvian people, I wish it to stand for as long as the sun will shine over our country.
After the president's speech, an artillery salute was fired from the 21st volley. The curtain covering the monument has fallen.
An epic sculptural and architectural composition, 42.7 meters high, is made of granite, travertine and copper. The diameter of the composition is 28 meters.
Two main themes are reproduced in eight sculptural groups located at the base of the monument. In the bottom row, everyday images are the cornerstones of true statehood: spiritual and physical labor, family and motherhood, wars and sufferings of the earth. The top row reflects the cult of heroes - demigods, warriors and bards: Lachplesis, Videlot and "chain breakers", in which the people see vivid examples of heroic deeds.
The monument continues with a stele, on the top of which is the figure of Mother Latvia, holding in her hands three stars - Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Latgale. The people call the figure Milda. The prototype of Milda was the mother of the artists Gemma and Hugo Skulme.
The figure is 9 meters high and weighs 1.2 tons. The figure is made of copper sheets mounted on a special frame. The copper sculpture was forged by the Swedish sculptor Ragnar Mirsmeden in Sweden. The stars of the monument were also forged in Sweden by Latvian metal artists Janis Siebens and Arnold Naika.
The monument survived the war calmly, not counting the grenade, which slightly spoiled the foot, and seven bullets that hit the statue. Another "bullet" aimed at the monument after the fighting. On September 29, 1945, the local Communist Party asked Moscow if it would not be better to restore the monument to Peter.
The one, sawn into fifteen parts, is well preserved, and the entire restoration would cost 300,000 rubles. The famous sculptor Vera Mukhina stood up for the monument and it remained in its original form.
At the end of the twentieth century, the monument was restored (1980 and 1998-2001).
fate
The national river of Latvia is popularly considered to be the Daugava (Western Dvina). The Daugava is the largest river flowing through Latvia (total length is 1,005 km, of which 352 km are in Latvia). Since the times of romanticism in Latvian literature, the Daugava has been considered the river of “destiny” or “mother river”, which influences the history of the people.
For many centuries, the Daugava has been an important transport artery, a source of livelihood and a source of energy (the largest hydroelectric power plants in Latvia are located on the Daugava).
In the past and at present, the Daugava demarcates various historical regions, it separates Kurzeme and Zemgale from Vidzeme and Latgale.
national bird
The national bird of Latvia is the white wagtail (Motacilla alba). From April to October in Latvia you can often see this graceful bird. The white wagtail is found near settlements and various water bodies.
Usually the wagtail runs nimbly on the ground, shaking up and down its long, narrow tail. She builds a nest under the eaves, in piles of firewood, in piles of stones and in bird cages. Winters in Southern Europe and North Africa.
The white wagtail, the national bird of Latvia, was approved in 1960 by the International Council for the Protection of Birds.
Insect
The national insect of Latvia is the two-spotted ladybug.(Adalija bipunctata).
The two-spot ladybug is known as a beneficial insect that protects plants from pests.
By its nature, this insect is rather slow, but it knows how to defend itself well. Due to its appearance and behavior, this insect is widely known and loved in Latvia.
The name of this insect in Latvian - marite - is a synonym for the Latvian ancient deity Mara, who embodies earthly power. The two-spotted ladybug was approved as the national insect of Latvia in 1991 by the Latvian Entomological Society.
Trees
Linden is considered the national tree of Latvia. (Tilia cordata) and oak (Quercus robur). Linden and oak are characteristic elements of the Latvian landscape.
Both trees are still used for medicinal purposes. In Latvian folk songs (dains). Which express the primordial folk concepts of morality and ethics, among other trees, oak and linden are most often mentioned.
In Latvian folk beliefs and folklore, linden is traditionally considered a symbol of femininity, and oak is a symbol of masculinity. The reverence of the people for these trees is evidenced by the rural landscape, where the majestic linden or the centuries-old oak are left untouched or even fenced in the middle of the cultivated field.
Flower
The national flower of Latvia is the wild chamomile. (Leucanthemum vulgare, formerly also called Chrysanthemum leucanthemum). Under the climatic conditions of Latvia, ordinary or wild daisies bloom from June to September. Daisies are a favorite flower and are often given as gifts.
Amber
Amber has long been considered a semi-precious stone characteristic of the territory of the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. The Latvians themselves sometimes call the Baltic Sea the "Amber Sea", thus emphasizing the symbolic significance of amber in the history of the people and the country.
Unlike other precious and semi-precious stones formed as a result of inorganic chemical processes, Baltic amber was formed from organic substances, from the petrified resin of coniferous trees. Therefore, amber absorbs body heat and is easy to work with.
In the distant past, the territory of Latvia was widely known as a place where amber was mined.. Amber from the coast of the Baltic Sea was used as a raw material in jewelry and as a medium of trade in ancient Egypt, Assyria, Greece and the Roman Empire. In some places it was valued even higher than gold. In the old days, and today, amber is mainly used as an ornament.
Since ancient times, in Latvia and elsewhere in the world, amulets, pendants, buttons, necklaces, as well as elaborate jewelry and ornaments have been made from it. Amber has been used and is still used for medical purposes, since the succinic acid contained in it is considered a unique biostimulant.
Janov day
The most significant Latvian traditional holiday is considered by the people to be Janov's Day or the Ligo holiday. For the Latvian people, this holiday has acquired a deep symbolic meaning and is known outside of Latvia. Ligo evening is celebrated on June 23, and Janov's day is celebrated the next day, June 24. The holiday coincides with the period of the summer solstice and is celebrated following many ancient traditions.
The celebration of Ligo is mainly expressed by gathering herbs, flowers, wreaths of oak leaves and flowers are made on this day, yards, buildings and domestic animals are decorated with wild flowers and plants, bonfires are burned in the evening and special songs “ligo” are sung. The ritual treat is Yanov (caraway) cheese and barley beer.