LLI-539 Craftsmanship as Tourism Product without Borders (Tour de Crafts)
PROJECT DURATION: 01.07.2020 – 31.12.2022
PROJECT ERDF FINANCING: 694404,70
PROJECT CALL: 3rd call
The project developed a new tourism products in craftsmanship.
During the project implementation was stimulated sustainable use of traditional skills in craftsmanship by preserving and promoting it as a common feature and joint tourism product of the cultural and historical heritage of the Latvia-Lithuania cross-border area that attracts the interest of tourists. It was targeted at the sector of craftsmanship and local craftsmen and artists as preservers and promoters of local cultural heritage and traditions of Latgale and Zemgale regions in Latvia and Utena and Panevežys counties in Lithuania.
The project was designed to tackle two main challenges faced by the sectors of craftsmanship and tourism on both sides of the Latvian-Lithuanian border –
1. development of a competitive product and service in craftsmanship that could attract an interest of potential tourists, and
2. remoteness and fragmentation of local services offered in the sector of craftsmanship thus leaving their tourism potential unattended. Therefore, the project had encouraged existing and potential local craftsmen and artists to use traditional skills, eco-innovative initiatives and local resources in developing products and services that are creative and modern and could attract the interest of visitors.
During the project partners and attracted experts worked together for creation local craftsmanship offers in joint product Tour de Crafts offering potential visitors a wider range of activities and implemented joint marketing for their attraction. This was done through 2 intertwined blocks of activities:
Capacity building in craftsmanship for local craftsmen including:
(1) theoretical trainings on latest tendencies in tourism, branding and being visible and recognized online and digital solutions for attracting audience.
(2) creative workshops for creating products that are unique for this cross-border area, modern and developed using traditional skills, local resources and eco-innovative initiatives.
(3) art fairs for presentation of the results of creative workshops, exchange of experience and networking.
Development of Tour de Crafts including:
(1) development of the concept and branding for a new cross-border tourism product in craftsmanship,
(2)Development of digital activities on craftsmanship :
2.1. Interactive 5D exhibition on crafts is located in Preili castle, Raiņa bulvāris 30, Preiļi, Preiļu pilsēta, Preiļu novads. The exposition is free of charge and tourists can book visiting it in TIC or Preili Castle and Manor Park administration.
2.2 Interactive story on craftsmanship for Dobele is located in Dobele Adult Education and Business Support Centre, Brīvības iela 7, Dobele, Dobeles pilsēta, Dobeles novads. The demonstration of stories is provided for free and visitors can introduce it in working time of Centre from Monday- Friday 9-17.
(3) improvement of equipment for organisation of creative workshops and public masterclasses in craftsmanship indoors and outdoors, as well as for displaying crafts products and organisation of art fairs for 4 project partners,
(4) improvement of infrastructure at 3 existing sites of cultural and historical heritage – Preili Manor complex, Balvi Manor and Upytė Craft Centre in Panevežys County – that as an objects are as points of attraction for tourists and created places hosts creative workshops, craft exhibitions and digital activities.
(5) organisation of 15 creative workshops for wider public targeted at specific groups of local inhabitants and tourists such as children, youth, families, seniors and persons with disabilities, etc.
These activities were supported by series of communication activities including promotion of the developed Tour de Crafts in the form of visual stories and short videos through the communication channels of the project partners and through media advertising. As well as promoted Tour de Crafts by printed information and marketing materials and small souvenirs distributed during project events – trainings creative workshops and art fairs.
Brandbook here
Tourism guide – brochure here
Tourism concept here
Short look in video stories about craftmanship in Dobele, Latvia: here
- What is craft? Video(LV)
2. How it start?Video(LV)
3. Craftsmanship in Dobele. How is it formed ? video(LV)
4. VIDEO(LV)
5. Video(LV)
6. VIDEO(LV)
7. VIDEO(LV)
8. VIDEO(LV)
9. VIDEO(LV)
Video:
Join the Simson Family on an Unforgettable Journey to Latgale
Lithuanian tourism video stories video
The Interreg V-A Latvia – Lithuania Cross Border Cooperation Programme 2014-2020 aims to contribute to the sustainable and cohesive socio-economic development of the Programme regions by helping to make them competitive and attractive for living, working and visiting. The webpage of the Programme: www.latlit.eu. Official EU webpage: www.europa.eu.
