Painting by Juris Ģērmanis. Ziedonis Krūmiņš, the first leader of the Ogre Photo Club

One of the treasures in the Ogre History and Art Museum’s collection is a depiction of Ziedonis Krūmiņš, the first leader of the Ogre Photo Club, in a 1970s painting by Juris Ģērmanis.

In the autumn of 2017, the Ogre Museum’s collection acquired three works by Juris Ģērmanis and 28 photographs by Ziedonis Krūmiņš.

Museum staff were surprised to receive three works by Juris Ģērmanis from the 20th century from Mārtiņš Bagātais, godson of Ziedonis Krūmiņš’s wife Astra. century 70. created in the 1970s, which were found in an apartment building on Grīvas Prospectus in Ogre.

The painter was active during the establishment of the Ogre Knitwear Factory in the 20th century. century 60. the painter worked there as a decorative artist. He came to Ogre hoping to receive an apartment. At that time, the factory’s Jaunogre residential area was being built. He received an apartment on Soviet Prospectus (now Mālkalnes Prospectus), married a woman from Ogre, and their daughter Agnija was born here, who attended school in Ogre.

The technical supervisor during the construction of the Ogre Knitwear Factory was the socially active Ziedonis Krūmiņš (1932–2008), who, upon the establishment of the Ogre Photo Club in 1969, became its first leader until 1974.

He shared an office at the Ogre Knitwear Factory with Juris Ģērmanis, and the two became friends. During this time, a painting was created featuring Ziedonis Krūmiņš, who, in a free moment, is relaxing in an armchair, reading a book. In the background, there is a window with curtains and a view of Ogre’s buildings.

The painter Juris Ģērmanis also created two sketches of his friend’s portrait: one in pencil, the other in pastel, as well as a portrait of Ziedonis Krūmiņš’s wife, Astra Krūmiņa (1928–2017). All these artworks are now part of the museum’s collection.

Ziedonis Krūmiņš was a very erudite and versatile person. He had two higher education degrees — he graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Riga Technical University and obtained a higher education degree in journalism through distance learning. However, curiosity guided him throughout his life; he quickly mastered everything new and kept up with the times.

It is known that he read a lot and was a passionate smoker.

Ziedonis Krūmiņš was also passionate about mountain skiing, and to indulge in his hobby, he traveled not only to Gaiziņš but also to Elbrus. One of his passions was music, especially classical jazz. 1979. Once, when Mārtiņš Bagātais visited Ziedonis Krūmiņš, he put on a tape recording and said: “Mārtiņš, listen to this fantastic band! This is something else!” It turned out to be “The Jackson 5,” which also featured Michael Jackson.

Ziedonis Krūmiņš obtained his tape recordings from Juris Lapinskis, who was a leading recording specialist in Latvia in the 70s and 80s, living in a private house in Pārdaugava, where he carried out music recording and distribution.

Ziedonis Krūmiņš was also a great aesthete when it came to dressing. He had a closet at home with suits and about 350 ties.

After retirement, he was active not only in the Ogre Photo Club but also served as an assessor at the Ogre Court. On one occasion, a court hearing was scheduled for Roma people. The entire camp had gathered, children were making noise, and it happened that Ziedonis Krūmiņš and a colleague, finely dressed, entered the courtroom before the judge. One of the Roma women turned to the noisy crowd and exclaimed: “Quiet down, you fools! The gentlemen of the court are coming!”

In later years, the large tie collection was donated to the Latvian National Theatre.

Ziedonis Krūmiņš possessed a zest for life and a sense of humor. Even when he was already suffering from cancer and in poor health, he was able to joke in various situations.

Ziedonis Krūmiņš took many photographs and participated in exhibitions. As evidence of this, there’s a poster printed at the “Cīņa” printing house for the 2nd Amateur Photographers Club exhibition in 1962, dedicated to the 45th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution. The opening of the exhibition took place on November 18.

The museum also received a donation of 28 black-and-white photographs by Ziedonis Krūmiņš, depicting people participating in various sports activities, relaxing by the sea. Many people are portrayed in their daily lives: working, chatting, having a meal, or doing everyday tasks. century 70. The photographs were taken in the 20th century.