On March 21, an event dedicated to the remembrance of the national resistance movement took place in the museum building at 2 Brīvības Street, within the “Road to Freedom” exhibition space. During the event, a discussion was held with members of the Latvian Independence Movement, Jānis Rožkalns and Jānis Vēveris, regarding resistance to the regime in the early 1980s. Both participated in various anti-Soviet actions, and in 1983, the Supreme Court of the Latvian SSR sentenced them to imprisonment.

During the discussion, a handmade flag of the Republic of Latvia, which had been hidden by members of the Latvian Independence Movement in the early 1980s, was donated to the museum.

The event also commemorated national resistance member Bruno Javoišs and his heroic deed. The story of B. Javoišs can be found in the “Road to Freedom” exhibition.

Discussion moderator: Ritvars Jansons

Video: Kristaps Dravenieks

On February 21, 2026, a discussion titled “Nature-Based Solutions: Opportunity, Delusion, or Comfort?” was held.

The discussion was attended by Karina Ješkina, PhD student in environmental geography, Mg. env. sc.; Annija Danenberga, researcher at the “Baltic Studies Center,” Mg.sc.ing.; Tīna Alise Drupa, designer, Mg. hum.; and Anda Ruskule, senior expert and project manager at the “Baltic Environmental Forum,” Dr. geogr. Together with the discussion moderator, Assoc. Prof. Anne Sauka from the University of Latvia, they shared their knowledge and insights on nature-based solutions, society’s readiness to implement them, and the challenges and problems associated with them.

After the discussion, an interactive workshop titled “Games of Elements: Get to Know, Feel, Remember” took place.

Which tree was I once friends with, and why did I love sitting in the sand so much as a child? The workshop invited participants to appreciate the role of inexpressible experiences in human-environment relationships, recall their sensory stories, and thus participate in the exhibition themselves.

Video: Kristaps Dravenieks

On January 17, 2026, in honour of Barricade Day, the Ogre History and Art Museum organised an event in Ogre titled “Stories of the Barricades”.

To honour the Barricades of 1991 and preserve the memory of Latvia’s defence of independence, the Ogre History and Art Museum invited residents and visitors to take part in a special event titled “Stories of the Barricades”.
The event took place both in Independence Square and in the museum premises at Brīvības Street 2. In the square, visitors had the opportunity to view informational displays from the Museum of the Barricades and watch projections about the Barricades. To create an authentic atmosphere, visitors were also offered traditional porridge and hot tea.
At 14:00, a concert took place in the museum building featuring the men’s chamber choir Frachori (artistic director Ingus Leilands), Latvian National Opera and Ballet soloist Guntars Ruņģis, and guitarist Jānis Ruņģis. The concert programme was specially dedicated to the Day of Remembrance of the Barricades.

Photo: Voldemārs Polis

On December 6, 2025, the Ogre History and Art Museum invited residents and city guests to the event “Echoes of the Three Christmas Battles,” which combined historical research, poetry, and live music. The event took place at the Ogre History and Art Museum on Brīvības Street.

When we hear the term “Christmas Battles,” we most often think of the heroic fights of Latvian riflemen in the winter of 1916–1917. However, this evening offered a broader perspective, also focusing on the Christmas Battles of partisans and legionnaires, highlighting their significance in Latvia’s story of freedom.

• Historian Ritvars Jansons spoke about the Christmas Battles involving Latvian riflemen, partisans, and legionnaires.
• Poet, journalist, and cultural critic Toms Treibergs read poetry addressing experiences of war, love for the homeland, and human spiritual resilience.
• Musician and multi-instrumentalist Jānis Ruņģis complemented the readings with meditative and improvised music, creating a special atmosphere. A surprise element was also part of the evening.

Before and after the event, visitors were invited to view the museum’s permanent exhibition “The Road to Freedom,” which offers an in-depth look at Latvian history and provides emotional context for the event’s theme. The museum is located just a five-minute walk from Ogre railway station, making it convenient for those arriving from Riga by train.

Place: Ogre History and Art Museum, Brīvības street 2, second floor
Time: December 6, at 16:00
Admission fee: Adults €2.50; seniors and students €1; Ogre resident card holders – free of charge

Toms Treibergs (born 1985) is a Latvian poet and cultural journalist who is actively involved in both the literary and theatre fields. Born in Riga, he spent his childhood in Taurupe and studied audiovisual culture at the Latvian Academy of Culture and theology at the University of Latvia. Since 2004, he has worked in the etude theatre “Nerten” together with writer Svens Kuzmins. Treibergs has also worked at Latvian Television, Latvian Radio, and the news portal TVNET as a cultural editor. He made his poetry debut with the collection “Conditions of Light” (2012), followed by “Fever” (2015) and “Thicket” (2019).

Jānis Ruņģis (born 1990) is one of Latvia’s most prominent musicians – a versatile guitarist and creator of original music. His album “Yggdrasil” received the Zelta mikrofons (Golden Microphone) award for Best Experimental Music Recording. The albums “Beyond Minds”, “Dwellings”, and “Degrees” have also gained recognition from listeners and critics. Ruņģis has collaborated with many well-known artists, including Gustavo, Ainars Mielavs, Elza Rozentāle, Aminata, Linda Leen, and Satellites LV. brivibas2pasakumi-ziemassvetki – 2

In February, enthusiasts gathered at the museum to learn more about Meteņi traditions and celebrate the festival together.

Jānis Kušķis, a researcher of Latvian traditional wisdom, spoke about the significance of holidays and customs not only in the Latvian context but also in their connections with other cultures and historical periods.

After the speech, participants enjoyed a Meteņi barley porridge feast, strength and boasting contests, the symbolic chasing away of Meteņi, games, communal singing with the Ogre folklore group “Artava”, and dancing together with the Ogre Dance Club.

The event was organised by the association “Ogriņa.”

“Man is a puppet guided by divine forces,” as the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle once said.

On January 26, 2020, the museum hosted a lecture by Ināra Liepa titled “The History of Doll Art in Latvia and the World.” The lecture explored the history of dolls and professional doll art – how it originated, how it developed, and what its current state is today.

Following the lecture, a paper doll workshop took place, during which each participant had the opportunity to create a unique and imaginative paper doll designed by Ināra Liepa, using elements inspired by 19th-century paper dolls and Christmas tree ornaments.

On December 22, 2019, the Ogre Museum celebrated the winter solstice. The event featured storyteller Gunta Saule, the Ogre Culture Centre folklore group “Artava”, and the Ogre Dance Club. The celebration was organised by “Etnosfēra.”

Residents of Ogre, along with friends, relatives, neighbours, and like-minded people, were invited to take part. Everyone who wished to gather at the dawn of the new Sun year – to bless and honour it and to wish prosperity for themselves, their families, their circle of relatives and friends, their city, and their country, Latvia – came together.

The celebration included communal dancing and singing, the sharing of stories about traditions, a bonfire, Yule log dragging and burning, and tea drinking.

On December 14, 2019, in anticipation of Christmas, the Ogre Museum invited visitors to a lantern workshop.

Everyone had the opportunity to create their own original piece, using patience, skill, and imagination. Each participant went home with a unique Christmas lantern, bringing warmth and joy to the festive season.

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In the third week of June, the Ogre Museum was filled with laughter, lively chatter, and a creative atmosphere. During the day camp “My Region, My City OGRE”, children gained knowledge about the history of their city and region, attended a Latvian Railway safety lesson, went on a hike from Ikšķile to Blue Hills Nature Park and on to Ogre, took excursions to Ķeipene Cinema Station and the Great Kangari Trail, and participated in various creative workshops, creating both larger and smaller artworks.

A look back at May 18, 2019, when the Ogre Museum opened its doors to visitors during unusual hours, delighting residents of Ogre and city guests with a variety of activities and offering the opportunity to view the exhibition “LETA – 100” and the permanent exhibition “Stop OGRE” until midnight.