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Photo source: www.brivdabasmuzejs.lv

The excursion will take place on Thursday, June 20, following lunch. For your convenience, special buses (free of charge) will transport you to the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, nestled in a pine forest, one of Europe’s oldest and largest outdoor museums. Since its establishment in 1924, the museum has gathered 118 historical buildings from all over Latvia, representing Riga and all of Latvia’s regions: Kurzeme, Vidzeme, Zemgale, and Latgale. These buildings have been arranged to provide visitors with a sense of Latvia’s rural landscape.

The LUMDETR 2024 conference will almost coincide with one of Latvia's most significant traditional festivals - Jāņi, celebrated on the summer solstice, typically around June 23rd. This festival marks the longest day of the year and the onset of summer. Jāņi celebrations are lively expressions of Latvian culture and traditions, where communities come together to celebrate nature's beauty.

The key element of the Latvian Jāņi celebration is bonfires, which are central to the festivities. People gather around large bonfires, which are believed to have purifying powers. Jumping over the bonfire is a common tradition. Bonfires are usually lit at sunset and kept burning until sunrise the next day.

Another traditional activity during Jāņi is wreath making. Women and girls create wreaths of flowers and herbs for themselves, while for men they make oak leave wreaths to wear on their heads during the festivities.

Singing folk songs and dancing are integral parts of Jāņi celebrations. People gather around the bonfires to sing traditional folk songs, known as "dainas," and perform circle dances. These songs and dances, passed down through generations, help connect Latvians with their cultural heritage.

During your visit to the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, you will have the opportunity to experience some of this Midsummer Latvian magic. Please note that the museum is situated outdoors, in a pine forest without paved paths. Therefore, please wear comfortable clothing and footwear.

Special activities will be arranged for excursion participants to provide insight into Latvian traditions:

1. Exploring traditions of wearing wreaths.
2. Participating in Latvian dances and games.
3. Learning about traditional Latvian cheesemaking.
4. Attending a masterclass on herbal magic.
5. Enjoying a tour of the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum.
6. Singing Latvian folk songs.

During the excursion, the participants will have the opportunity to taste traditional Latvian cheese, traditional Latvian “pīrāgi” (pies), traditional Latvian pastry “plātsmaize,” beer, and kvass.

For more information about the museum, please visit: http://brivdabasmuzejs.lv/en/