Gita Usāne, a bathhouse attendant, plant and flower expert, offers to regain your strength in a traditional, wood-fired country sauna. Gita performs wonderful sauna rituals in which she uses herbs collected and specially prepared by herself. Gita uses the herbs to make teas, syrups, herbal powders and natural cosmetics. She shares her vast knowledge of herbs in her master classes, where everyone can make their own cosmetics and learn a lot.
Types of crafts
Sauna, making of sauna accessories and natural products for bathing rituals, herbal teas, natural cosmetics and body care products.
The distinctive in their field of activity
Flower and herbal therapy, traditional bath combined with comfortable and modern equipment.
When to book a tour in advance; When to book a master class in advance
1 week
Liena Brūvere is a jeweller from Līvāni region who makes beautiful jewellery – beaded earrings, bracelets, angels, brooches, linen wallets and bags, as well as other lovely accessories. Liena’s signature product is the long-beaded earrings. Each pair of earrings is unique, with a special design and colour combination. You can see and order Liena’s jewellery on several sites online.
Types of crafts
Jewellery making
The distinctive in their field of activity
Native American Style beaded earrings and original beaded angels, as well as purses and accessories with folk ornaments.
When to book a tour in advance; When to book a master class in advance
1 week
In the centre, there is the exhibition “Museum of “Līvānu stikls””, which presents several thousand unique glass works that were once made in the Līvāni Glass Factory “Līvānu stikls”. From simple glass bottles to intricate masterpieces. The second exhibition – “Craftspeople in Latgale in the 19th-20th century” gives an opportunity to learn how people lived in Latgale in the past. A unique offer is the opportunity to visit the Glass Blowing Workshop and see how glass art is made.
Types of crafts
The historical home of “Līvānu stikls”, which integrates the “Museum of “Līvānu stikls””, the Glass Blowing Workshop and the exhibition of traditional Latgale crafts into a single complex.
The distinctive in their field of activity
The largest exhibition of historical “Līvānu stikls” products in the Baltics and the longest folk belt in Latvia.
When to book a tour in advance; When to book a master class in advance
3 days
The Līvāni region has rich weaving traditions. Weavers working in the applied folk art studio “Dubna” take care of the preservation of weaving traditions, study the ethnography characteristic of Latgale and weave ancient signs into modern textile works. The studio organises weaving classes, master classes, and has a large exhibition of works. There is also a guided tour, during which you can explore the journey from sheep’s wool to finished socks.
Use of denim in rugs, linen skirt fabric making, making of handbags.
When to book a tour in advance; When to book a master class in advance
2 days
The handicraft group “Māra” brings together the most hard-working and creative knitters of the Bebrene area. Socks, gloves, scarves and other knitted items are made here. The knitters from Bebrene have even made socks and hats for the 2020 collection of the Italian fashion house Neil Barrett. Now, knitted items from Bebrene master knitters are ordered online from all over the world. The knitted items feature many ethnographic patterns from the Selonia region.
Types of crafts
Knitting, crocheting, pattern research, and in the future, candle making from natural beeswax.
The distinctive in their field of activity
Glove and sock knitting, use of the French heel when knitting socks, old pattern restoration
When to book a tour in advance; When to book a master class in advance
1 week
Daugavpils Clay Art Centre offers an opportunity to get to know the renowned Latgale ceramics and pottery traditions. Ceramists work here, hold classes and master classes, and you can watch them at work. At the centre you can see the unique Baltic Raku ware, which is post-processed in fermented rye flour liquid. There is an exhibition and everyone can order or buy various ceramic products.
Types of crafts
Ceramics classes for adults and children in 3 workshops and a studio; permanent exhibition; exhibition hall with a change of theme every 2 months.
The distinctive in their field of activity
A wide range of ceramic styles in one place – from colourful and painted tableware to ascetically monochrome, from classic to modern. A place where traditional Latgalian black ceramics are well represented.
When to book a tour in advance; When to book a master class in advance
Min. 1 day
Igors Trešutins is a self-taught metalsmith. The master craftsman makes a variety of environmental objects and interior items, as well as fine design products and souvenirs. In his workshop, everyone has the opportunity to get to know the basic principles of metalsmithing, watch the blacksmith at work, forge a souvenir nail on their own, and see and buy the works created by the metalsmith.
Types of crafts
Forged metal items
The distinctive in their field of activity
The only smith in the area who lets you visit the workplace. A special product of the metalsmith – door knockers in the shape of dragons.
When to book a tour in advance; When to book a master class in advance
3 days
Annele Slišāne is a well-known textile artist in Latgale, author of the project “100 deči Latvijai”, weaver, craftswoman and author of Latgalian prose. She has founded the company “Anneles zeme”, where she makes environmentally friendly toys, weaves rugs, tapestries, rag rugs, sauna rugs and herb rugs from a variety of materials. In the historic Latgale farmhouse “Zeļču sola” (Grass Snake Island), home to the Annele family, weaving master classes are organised and everyone can try their hand at real loom weaving. The place is special because, starting from the country’s eastern border, it is the first populated are on Latvia’s longest parallel – the 57th parallel.
Types of crafts
Weaving, knitting, toy making
The distinctive in their field of activity
An ethnographically authentic environment that can serve as a “time machine” and a venue for creative events and exhibitions. Various materials are used for weaving – natural resources, industrial products and packaging, recyclable materials.
When to book a tour in advance; When to book a master class in advance
Min. 2 days
Vilhelms Laganovskis from Baltinava, a master craftsman for wood, makes personalised wooden products using laser-cutting technique. The range includes souvenirs, boxes in various sizes and designs, baskets, ornaments, charms and more. The master craftsman has his own wooden souvenir workshop, where visitors are welcome to participate in the creation of wooden works, have their photo taken and create their own portrait on the wooden décor.
Types of crafts
Carpentry works, the making of wooden souvenirs, laser engraving, photographer services.
The distinctive in their field of activity
Individual orders – from earrings to vintage carriages. Portrait engraving on solid wood.
When to book a tour in advance; When to book a master class in advance
3 days
The craftspeople village of Briežuciems is a place where traditional crafts are cared for and honoured. Here they bake bread, brew beer, process leather, weave rag rugs, floor coverings, blankets and other items. The weavers have united in the Briežuciems handicraft workshop “Atspole”, where everyone can learn the basics of weaving colourful blankets and other types of handicrafts, as well as see and buy the works of the weavers and craftswomen of Briežuciems.
Types of crafts
Weaving, weaving of scarves, knitting and crocheting, candle making, cake baking, the bread bakery “Kronīši”, a leather brand, a workshop and an exhibition of old sewing machines at Leatherely.
The distinctive in their field of activity
Authentic old looms are used for weaving, and the brown-green colour tones of Northern Latgale. For leather design – specially designed prints and leather painting. Bread at “Kronīši” is baked on dried maple leaves according to an old recipe.
When to book a tour in advance; When to book a master class in advance
