Topic outline
- General
- Latvian Signs and Ornaments
Latvian Signs and Ornaments
Let’s start!
We had lost contact with our relatives-my grandma’s sister Anna, but last spring we received a letter from Australia. That was from her granddaughter Helen. There were some photos- my grandma Silvija and her sister Anna as children and at the age of 19 - 20. I remember seeing one in my grandma’s album. Now we are expecting Helen’s visit. Silvijas’s granddaughter Inga and her mother are discussing what to show her.
- Part 1. The happy day
Part 1. The happy day
This is the day when Helen is arriving in Riga. Inga is meeting her at the Riga International airport.
Arrival
- Part 2. Sigulda - a place where the present meets the past
Part 2. Sigulda - a place where the present meets the past
The situation continues after the family dinner. Inga and Helen are in Sigulda the next day. They will start with the place which is famous not only for making wooden walking sticks but also where their family’s roots are. Their grandmothers spent their childhood near Sigulda.
Walking sticks – a symbol of Sigulda
- Part 3. The mystery of Latvian signs
Part 3. The mystery of Latvian signs
On the way to Riga Inga tells Helen that signs or symbols/ornaments can be seen not only on walking sticks, but on our mittens, linen blouses and folk costumes. Helen remembers: “I know where I have seen the signs. My grandmother used to sing in a choir when she lived in Sydney. She put on her folk costume on special occasions.” Inga suggests: “Let’s have lunch first and then see mittens in the old town.”
Latvian signs
- Part 4. Wonderful Latvian mittens - even for decorating a house
Part 4. Wonderful Latvian mittens - even for decorating a house
Inga and Helen are in old town where they have found one of the buildings which is decorated with mittens.
- Part 5. You just have to see it!
Part 5. You just have to see it!
Then Inga and Helen visit the exhibition in the folk costume centre “Senā klēts” to see not only a collection of mittens but folk costumes as well.
Inga invites Helen and her grandmother to see the Song and Dance festival this year.
Latvian Song and Dance Festival
- Let’s meet again next year!
Let’s meet again next year!
Sisters Anna and Silvija are happy because their family will not lose contact again. The extended family have enjoyed the time spent together. Inga has invited Helen and her mother or friends to visit Latvia again because there is still so much to see and experience. Ann and Helen are glad and Helen promises to come back next year.