The goal of the Heritage project was to promote cultural heritage tourism in the program's area by restoring sites and developing cross-border tourism solutions with the highest potential for increasing tourist and visitor numbers. In turn, the goal of the Heritage.lv project was to capitalize on and strengthen the results of the Heritage project.
Main activities of the HERITAGE project (2019 - 2022):
Restoration and adaptation of the Powder Cellar of the 7th bastion of Daugavpils Fortress at 1 Nikolaja Street to function as an exhibition space for the M. Rothko Art Center (“P. Martinsons Gallery”), including the improvement of the surrounding area to create recreational areas, craft sales zones, and a children's playground
Research of Daugavpils Fortress construction archive materials
Publication of a tourism brochure about Daugavpils Fortress
Production of mobile kiosks (carts) for craftsmen
Daugavpils and Madona municipalities on the implementation of the project:
Opening of Martinson's House in Daugavpils:
It is important to mention that the restored Engineer Arsenal and Martinson’s House at Daugavpils Fortress received the Latvian Architecture Award in 2022.
Additionally, for four years now, the international competition exhibition 'Martinsons Award' has taken place, which is the central event of the Latvian Ceramics Biennale and a tribute to the creative legacy of the distinguished Latvian artist and founder of professional and contemporary Latvian ceramics, Pēteris Martinsons. Artists from around the world are invited to participate in the competition exhibition, showcasing the most innovative techniques in working with ceramic materials, as well as each ceramicist's unique artistic style and message.
HERITAGE.LV Project (2023)
The goal of the Heritage.lv project was to capitalize on and strengthen the results of the two previous phases of the Heritage project. The collaboration partners of the Madona municipality included the Daugavpils city municipality and the Rundāle Palace Museum. This brought together three regions of Latvia, fostering joint tourism cooperation and development.
The project promoted cultural heritage tourism in the program’s area, creating regional cross-border tourism solutions with the highest potential for increasing the number of tourists and travelers.
Main activities of the project:
Organizing a music concert at the historical reconstruction festival
Hosting the Latvian Ceramics Biennale at the Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Center and purchasing display stands for Martinsons House exhibitions
Installing tourist flow counters at the fortress gates
Organizing exchange trips for tourism and heritage specialists to Rundāle Palace, Cesvaine Palace, and the historic reconstruction festival dedicated to the Battle of Nations in Leipzig, Germany
Promoting Daugavpils Fortress tourism opportunities
The major events in 2023, attended by project partners, included:
On September 14–15, an international conference titled 'Management and Maintenance of Historic Gardens and Grounds' was held at the Rundāle Palace Museum, where representatives of palaces and museums from the Baltic Sea region countries discussed issues related to the history, restoration, and maintenance of gardens and grounds, as well as attracting tourists and engaging the public.
On October 28–29, the 'Night of Legends 2023' event took place in Cesvaine. Guests were offered an extensive cultural program – at Cesvaine Evangelical Lutheran Church, there was a tour and an organ music concert, while in the palace stables, visitors could try their hand at various Lithuanian artisans' crafts. In the 'Two Towers' salon, visitors enjoyed music by a flamenco guitarist, and Cesvaine's brass orchestra performed at the Creative House. However, the main focus was on Cesvaine Palace, where, in addition to various exhibitions, guests could enjoy Samanta Tīna's acoustic concert 'Letter to You' and the improvisational trio 'Maijers, Čavarts, and Grimms' concert program. To create the ambiance of the Night of Legends, light installations were set up in the attic and cellars by SIA 'DIOGENS AUDIO.'
In addition to the shared activities, each project partner acquired various equipment. Cesvaine Palace received 150 new chairs, featuring engravings that echo the elements of the palace’s historical interior. Four specially designed display cases were created to showcase various items. As a lasting value for tourists interested in exploring the tourism route – Daugavpils Fortress, Cesvaine Palace, Rundāle Palace – brochures in two languages were produced.
