The childhood of Rainis (1865 – 1929), Latvia’s outstanding poet, translator, master of drama, political and public figure, whose impressions are reflected in the collection of poems “Dagda’s Five Sketchbooks”, passed in the Berķenele half-manor. The personality and worldview of the future poet are formed in Berkenele, and the first poems are written. Today, the half-manor house offers exhibitions dedicated to the poet, various art exhibitions, excursions, creative workshops and seminars.

MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS

• Exposition “Rainis and Berķenele”;
• Exposition “Children’s Room”.

Excursions (prior reservation required):

• “Journey to the Land of the Sun ” – a tour of the house and garden for preschool and primary school children; a story about Rainis’ childhood, watching an animated film based on Rainis’ poetry.
• “The Sun Trail ” – a tour of the house and garden for primary school-age children; the guides tell, in a playful way, how the events of Rainis’s childhood influenced his later destiny. During the tour, participants spin the “Sun Wheel”, launch wooden boats into the pond and do other activities.
• “The Only Scene ” – a tour for young people and adults through the house and garden; visitors are introduced to the poems in Rainis’ collection of poems “Dagda’s Five Sketchbooks”; participants visit the places mentioned in Rainis’ poems.
• “The Sun and the Boy ” – a tour for children and young people; during the tour the main action takes place in the exhibition “Nursery”, visitors learn what Rainis dreamt about as a child, what books he read and why “the sun” became his favourite poetic image.
• “Sacred Heritage ” – the story of Birkineliai Church and cemetery.
• “The Taste of Apples ” – a tour itinerary including a visit to the “Selija” nursery, where the owner, Alberts Mendriķis, introduces his farm, telling the “life story” of the apple tree, showing the farm’s apple orchard, warehouses and processing workshops, and treating children to apple wine (or juice for children). A visit to Rainis’ house in Berķenelis, a visit to the poet’s children’s day house and garden, and a rich feast made from apples in the Latgalian style.

Creative workshops (advance registration required):

• Wooden toy dyeing workshop;
• Wool spinning workshop;
• Wool toy workshop;
• Soap casting workshop;
• Wood engraving workshop “The Rhythm of the Sun”;
• Letter writing workshop;
• Postcard making workshop “The Smell of Atmata”.

Museum lessons (advance registration required) “Do you remember me? Rainis.” A series of lessons for children of different ages in educational institutions of Daugavpils district and city. In March and April Rainis’ House in Berkenele offers thematic lessons on selected topics to educational institutions of Daugavpils district and city.

PRICES

Entrance fee:
1.00 € – for adults; 0.50 € – for students of educational institutions and pensioners; 4.

Conducting museum lessons and workshops:
1.00 – 3.00 € – for students of educational institutions. Guide

services:
4.50 € – for a group of up to 10 people; 7.00 € – for a group of 11 to 30 people.

Photos from Daugavpils TIC archive.