ABOUT US
Garkalne is a place in Garkalne municipality, in the Pierīga region, where the poet, writer, painter and avid fisherman Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš (1877-1962) lived for 6 years, unfortunately the last in Latvia
In Garkalne, Saules iela 1 is the house where the writer lived (1938-1944). On 21 June 1991, a memorial stone was erected in front of the house and in 2011 the “ Memorial Room of the Writer Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš” was created in Garkalne, 33B Vidzemes šosej . In 2017, the “Writer Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš’ Cognitive Trail” was opened, which leads to the lakes where he fished and where 1 km of stands are placed on the theme of nature – lakes, plants, birds, bats, fish and the writer’s sayings about nature.
Programmes:
“The White Book”- memories of Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš’ children’s days in 100 images in words and lines.
Programme for pre-school and 1st grade students.
Aim of the programme: to give children an understanding of the creators of books – writers and J.Jaunsudrabiņš’ talent to represent his children’s days in words and drawings.
Content of the lesson: pupils are shown the exhibition and briefly told about J.Jaunsudrabiņš and his life in Garkalne. Then, depending on the time of the year, one of the images from the “White Book” is read and the children are given the task to colour in the corresponding drawing for the story. The process and the result are analysed. The drawings are kept in the Memorial Room.
Duration of the lesson: 1 h 20 min.
About Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš as a writer, his works – “The White Book”, “The Green Book” and “At School” – stories about 19.
Programme for pupils of grades 2-5.
Aim of the programme: to provide pupils with an in-depth understanding of rural life andteenage school life in the 19th century. Content of the lesson: visit of the exhibition and antiquities, story about the life of Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš, more about the shepherds, school time and curriculum. A crossword puzzle on the topic. And an autograph, written with an ink pen, which will remain in the memorial room.
Duration of lesson: 1 h 30 min.
Biography of J.Jaunsudrabiņš “My Life”, literary activity and the artist’s life.
Programme for pupils of grades 6-9.
Aim of the programme: to create in pupils a deeper interest in Latvian folk writers and to encourage reading. Content of the lesson: a tour of the exhibition, the life story of Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš – from Nereta to Garkalne, his emergence as a writer and artist, his most popular works and their film scripts. Readings of J.Jaunsudrabiņš’ poetry.
Duration of the lesson: 1 h. 30 min.
Biography of J.Jaunsudrabiņš “My Life“, other authors about J.Jaunsudrabiņš, trilogy “Aija”, long story “Flowers of the Wind” and artistic activity.
Programme for pupils of grades 10-12.
Aim of the programme: to stimulate young people’s interest in Latvian writers and artists, their personality and contribution to our culture.
Content of the lesson: examination of the exposition and analysis of biographical data. Poetry and prose – more about “Aija” and “Flowers of the Wind”. The painter’s career. Life in Garkalne and emigration, film about it. At the end – a crossword puzzle.
Duration: 2 h.
Jaunsudrabiņš and nature – an excursion along the educational trail.
Programme for pupils from 1st to 12th grade.
Aim of the programme: to enjoy nature, also as a barefoot trail and to get to know Jaunsudrabiņš as a friend of nature and an avid fisherman.
Content of the lesson: a story about Jaunsudrabiņš memorial sites in Garkalne, a 1 km walk through the Pierīga forest from the Recreation Centre “Niki” along Dūņezers to Peldezer, listening to stories and reading stands with information about plants, lakes, fish, birds, bats and the writer’s sayings about nature. At the end of the trail – a resting place and a knowledge test.
Duration: 1 h 30 min. – 2 h.
Classes and the Memorial Room are free of charge.