Inspiring masterclasses and creative activities that introduce the ancient Latvian traditions, crafts, the power, symbolism and history of the Latvian script!

Austras Raksti is a company that explores and promotes the Latvian cultural heritage through hands-on activities – learning about Latvian costume making, traditional cooking, printing workshops, educational activities and tools related to the ancient crafts. Our work combines folk art, knowledge and a personal story that inspires both students and adults to create and understand the Latvian heritage.
We work in the Life Knowledge and Trades Farm, located in a restored 18th century wooden house in Jelgava, Vecpilsētas iela 2. We call it a living history museum because here you can not only see the unique restored building and its exhibition, but also participate in it.
We offer guided tours with a story about the history of the building, work in the weavers’ workshop and the ancient bakery, organise master classes, creative activities and training in weaving and other handicrafts.

🌀 What do students learn?

The meaning and application of Latvian traditions in ancient and modern times, their connection with folk songs, nature and the everyday life of an ancient Latvian.
Understanding identity and values through cultural heritage.

👐 What happens in the lessons?

In each lesson, students make their own unique piece of artwork, which can be a puzur, a candle or a bread roll.

🎨 Available workshops for students:

1.Exploring and creating ornamental patterns on 18th-19th century walls
Age group: 5th-12th grade
Number of participants: up to 30 students
Price: 7 EUR per student
Duration: ~90 minutes

Description:
During the restoration of the building of the Farm of Life and Trades, the 18th-19th centuries were discovered.
The aim of the lesson is to get to know and study the cultural heritage, to stimulate interest in the historical interior decorative solutions of the buildings. Students learn about the history of the building, explore the decorative wall finishes and gain insight into the restoration process.
Using the stylised bands of plants and ornaments in the decorative paintings on the walls of the building, students make colour-print stencils to be used on cardboard, paper or fabric (e.g.,
Pupils produce creative work in stencil and freehand techniques on age-appropriate paper, cardboard or fabric as requested.

Additional:
Suitable for integrating cultural learning, visual arts and history. Can be adapted to art week or school event activities.

2. Wallpaper as historical material + creative work and photo orientation
Age group: 5th-12th grade
Number of participants: up to 30 students
Price: 7 EUR per student
Duration: 90 minutes

Description:
During the restoration of the building of the Farm of Life and Trades, wallpaper fragments were discovered, reflecting the wall decoration materials used over several decades. One of the rooms in the building displays all the wallpaper fragments found in the buildings of the Old Town Quarter, covering the period from the 19th/20th centuries.
The aim is to promote the transmission of cultural heritage to future generations, to analyse the decorative decoration of the walls of a historic building, integrating it into the content of creative lessons, to stimulate pupils’ interest in the historic interior decoration of buildings.
Content with tasks – workbook, using images of historic wallpaper fragments. The exercises introduce pupils to interior design elements and develop their creativity.
Pupils produce creative work in stencil and freehand techniques on paper, cardboard or fabric as requested by age.

Additional:
A photo orientation activity highlighting the decorative elements of the interior of the building has been prepared to accompany the lesson.

3Bread Baking
Age group: All age groups
Number of participants: from 10 to 25 students
Price: 12 EUR per student
Duration: 120 minutes

Description:
The aim of the lesson is to introduce students to the traditions of bread baking, ancient ways of making bread, beliefs, tools, as well as the importance of bread in Latvian life and folk traditions. Rye bread is included in the list of values of the Latvian Cultural Canon, so it is important to teach, show and help pupils understand the essential role of bread in Latvian material and spiritual culture.
The lessons take place in the ancient kitchen of the building, each pupil makes their own cake from dough, puts it on a lysis and watches the bread being baked in the oven. Each participant receives his or her own bun.
Active, practical, fragrant and delicious experience!

Additional:
While the bread is baking, a tour of the historic building of the Farm of Life and Trades is possible.

4From Wool to Folk Costume
Age group: 1st-9th grade
Number of participants: 15 to 30 pupils
Price: 5 EUR per pupil
Duration: ~90 minutes

Description:
The weavers’ workshop introduces children to the process of making a folk costume, weaving fabric and processing wool yarn, from shearing sheep to weaving. Ancient tools used by our ancestors to process wool are demonstrated, and information is given on the technologies used today. Special emphasis is placed on introducing the Zemgale folk costume and its components. The weaving of patterned Zemgale cloth on a loom with a pulling device is demonstrated. Pupils are introduced to different types of looms – lever looms, drawlooms and semi-automatic looms created by Pēteris Viļumsons from Zemgale. Pupils can try out the weaving process for themselves. Pēteris Viļumsons’ loom and the loom with a pulling device are included in the list of intangible cultural heritage of Latvia.

Additional:
Perfectly fits in with the teaching topics of folk traditions, sustainability, crafts.

In addition, we offer educational hands-on activities and masterclasses:
– Making puzzles and candles; – Cooking on a wood stove or in a mantelpiece; – Baking pancakes, pies, gingerbread, cookies; – Baking hunger pancakes;- Cheese making; – Candle making; – Soap making; – Decoupage; – Weaving or making ribbons, bookmarks, garters; – Other activities by prior arrangement.Workshops and classes are organised for groups of 10 to 20 persons with prior reservation. If you are a smaller or larger group and would like to participate, please call us and we will plan your event. After the class or while the bread is baking, we offer a guided tour of the Farm of Lifestyle and Trades