“One of the most exciting processes in art is learning something new, experimenting, and allowing the material to become a co-author. By working with non-traditional materials, we abandon the notion of the only ‘right’ way and begin to trust the process itself. That is where the most unexpected discoveries are made. In this workshop, I invite you to create your own concrete apple and get to know the material through practical experience. It will be an opportunity to observe how form is created not only as a result of our intention but also by collaborating with the material itself and its properties.” (Dārta Madara Cielava)

During the workshop, participants will create their own concrete apple, which the artist will later finish by varnishing and deliver back to the museum so they can find their way back to you.

Duration of the session: 3 h

You can apply for the session by writing to liena.subatina@ogresnovads.lv

The number of places is limited.

Participation fee: 15 EUR

Location: Ogre History and Art Museum, Brīvības iela 36

The event may be filmed and photographed.

Photo: Oksana Okmi Mizgajeva

The concert is organised by the Ogre History and Art Museum to highlight the significance of the Baltic Way and the Third Awakening in Latvia’s history, while inviting the public to commemorate together the events that shaped the country’s path to the restoration of independence.

Together with Leons Sējāns, the acclaimed guitarist of the band “Pērkons”, and her son Matīss Akuraters, a virtuoso percussionist, Ieva Akuratere will perform both the iconic songs of the Singing Revolution and powerful acoustic arrangements of Juris Kulakovs’ compelling compositions.

As in all of Ieva Akuratere’s concerts, this performance will bring audiences together through shared memories and hopes for the future, inspired by the power of song.

Admission to the concert is free of charge. However, due to the limited capacity of the museum, attendance is possible by invitation only. Free electronic invitations will be available through the Biļešu paradīze ticketing system from 10 August at 10:00 AM. The number of invitations is limited, and each user may reserve up to two invitations.

Event link: https://www.bilesuparadize.lv/lv/event/176027

The concert will be filmed and photographed. The recorded material may be used for promotional and publicity purposes.

Venue: 2 Brīvības Street, the “Path to Freedom” exhibition, on the 2nd floor of the building.

]]> https://ogresmuzejs.lv/en/museum-education-programmes-in-the-permanent-exhibition-the-path-to-freedom/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:50:37 +0000 https://ogresmuzejs.lv/?p=7878 The permanent exhibition The Road to Freedom, located at 2 Brīvības Street, Ogre, offers museum education programmes for students of all age groups. Through interactive activities, discussions and hands-on learning, these programmes introduce pupils to Latvia’s history in an engaging and meaningful way.

Museum Educational Programme Case No. 1918: Freedom and Resistance for Grades 10-12

This programme introduces students to the key events of the 20th century that shaped Latvia’s path towards freedom and independence. Through an engaging and thought-provoking approach, participants explore the courage, choices and actions of individuals during different periods of history, discovering personal stories and historical events that have become an essential part of Latvia’s national identity.

During an interactive guided exploration of the exhibition, students will examine four major historical themes united by the enduring pursuit of freedom:

• World War I, the founding of the Republic of Latvia and the Latvian War of Independence;
• World War II, the Soviet and Nazi occupations of Latvia, and political repression;
• The National Partisan movement and other forms of resistance;
• The Awakening (Atmoda) and the restoration of Latvia’s independence.

The practical part of the programme encourages students to work with specially prepared activity folders, analyse historical sources and reflect on the power of language, symbolism and identity. Through role-playing activities, participants place themselves in the situations faced by people of the time, making difficult decisions and considering the consequences of their actions. The session concludes with a discussion that encourages students to reflect on the meaning of freedom and its significance today.

Participation fee: €1.50 per student

Duration: 2 hours

Registration:  uldis.veliks@ogresnovads.lv

Museum Educational Programme Case No. 1918: Freedom, Identity and Self-Determination for Grades 5-9

This programme encourages students to explore the importance of freedom, identity and self-determination in both Latvia’s history and contemporary society.

It invites participants to consider that freedom is not merely a historical achievement or a value won once and for all, but an ongoing process built upon everyday choices, responsibility, participation and civic engagement. The programme helps students strengthen their sense of belonging to Latvia while developing an understanding of national identity and its significance.

The first part of the programme takes students on an interactive journey through the exhibition. Guided by thought-provoking questions, discussions and moments for reflection, participants explore Latvia’s path to freedom by tracing the most significant events and personalities of the 20th century whose courage, decisions and actions shaped the nation’s history.

The exhibition narrative is organised around four key historical themes:

• World War I, the founding of the Republic of Latvia and the Latvian War of Independence;
• World War II, the Soviet and Nazi occupations of Latvia, and political repression;
• The National Partisan movement and other forms of resistance;
• The Awakening (Atmoda) and the restoration of Latvia’s independence.

During the second part of the programme, students work in groups, examining historical sources, documents and archival materials. Through a variety of practical tasks, they analyse information, evaluate historical events critically and seek answers to questions about freedom, personal choice and identity.

Participants are encouraged to connect historical events with their own experiences, values and personal identity while developing their ability to express and justify their opinions.

The programme concludes with a discussion about the symbols of freedom and their significance in Latvian culture and society, exploring how they reflect national identity, belonging and shared values. Students are invited to share their impressions of the programme and reflect on the ideas, stories and experiences that inspired or surprised them most.

Participation fee: €1.50 per student

Duration: 2 hours

Registration: uldis.veliks@ogresnovads.lv

Museum Educational Programme Case No. 1918: Freedom and Courage Through a Child’s Eyes for Grades 1-4

In this programme, historical events are presented through simple language, educational games and creative activities designed specifically for younger learners.

Children explore Latvia’s history through the values of courage, unity and love for their country, without the need to engage with complex historical details. The programme encourages them to understand history through their own feelings, experiences and associations.

As they journey through the exhibition, students discover four major events of the 20th century that shaped Latvia’s path to freedom. Each theme is accompanied by an interactive activity, game or practical task, helping children understand the key events that contributed to the creation of the Latvian state and its national identity.

The programme explores:

• the development of the Latvian people’s aspiration for their own independent state;
• World War I in the territory of Latvia, the Latvian Riflemen, the Latvian War of Independence, the founding of the Republic of Latvia, the achievement of independence, recognition symbols and military awards, as well as Latvia’s development and innovations during the interwar period;
• World War II, the occupations of Latvia, the National Partisans, different forms of resistance, and the preservation of objects important to Latvian identity;
• the Awakening (Atmoda), the Baltic Way, the Barricades and the restoration of Latvia’s independence.

During the creative workshop, children draw what they love most about Latvia, inspired by what they have experienced during the programme. The session concludes with singing a song together, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

Participation fee: €1.50 per student

Duration: 1.5 hours

Registration: uldis.veliks@ogresnovads.lv

Location: 2 Brīvības Street, Ogre

Photo: Oksana Okmi Mizgajeva

Madara Rutkeviča (b. 1988) is a writer and playwright. She studied screenwriting for television, film, and theatre at the Latvian Academy of Culture. The exhibition is dedicated to Lēdmane Primary School, where she was a student.

“In 1997, my family moved to a new home, and I started third grade at Lēdmane Primary School. On my first day, I was seated at the very back of the classroom. My new classmates and the strange, big building frightened me. Throughout the following years, until I graduated from the school in 2003, those irrational fears never really left me.”

Exhibition artist: Madara Rutkeviča
Curator: Elīna Cērpa

During the workshop, you will:

• learn about the history of batik and its various techniques;
• discover the secrets of hot wax batik, wrapped batik, folded batik, and ice dyeing;
• learn how to prepare materials, apply dyes, and finish your creations;
• design and create your own unique hand-dyed garment.

Please bring a white cotton, linen, or viscose T-shirt, scarf, dress, or any other garment you would like to transform into a one-of-a-kind work of art. All other materials and dyes will be provided by the museum.

The workshop is suitable for adults, as well as adults attending together with school-age children. The maximum group size is 15 participants.

Duration: up to 2.5 hours

Participation fee:

• Adults – €5.00
• Children – €3.00

Registration:
Phone: +371 20217889
Email: liena.subatina@ogresnovads.lv

The workshop will be led by museum educator Liena Subatiņa-Brazeviča.

Come and discover the magic of batik—let colours transform an everyday garment into a unique work of art!

The exhibition’s title is grounded in themes of dialogue, empathy, space and time, with particular emphasis on materiality and spatial thinking. It serves as a deliberate—perhaps even slightly naive—invitation to reconsider the role of contemporary art and its ongoing search for meaning in today’s turbulently unsettling world. The exhibition is a collective reflection by the participating artists on vulnerability and healing, on seeing and finding refuge, and on the continuous responsibility we bear towards ourselves and the space we inhabit.

The exhibition also seeks to decentralise the region’s cultural landscape by bringing contemporary art into direct dialogue with audiences in Ogre.

Curator: Māris Grosbahs

The program is designed as an inspiring and educational experience, where participants will not only engage in creative activities but also explore different art forms, ask questions to professional artists, and become familiar with their daily work, creative journeys, and the specifics of their professions.

At the end of the sessions, an exhibition of the participants’ best works will be organized, offering an opportunity to publicly present the results of the creative process.

The exhibition will be gradual. It begins with the first workshop day on 08.07.2026 and will be open to visitors until September 13.

The exhibition opening will take place during the Ogre City Festival on 22.08.2026 at 12:00 in the small hall of the Ogre History and Art Museum.

The programme is designed as an inspiring and educational experience, offering participants the opportunity not only to engage in creative activities but also to explore various art forms, ask questions to professional artists, and gain insight into their daily work, creative journeys, and the unique aspects of their professions.

CREATIVE WORKSHOPS:

08.07. | Liena Subatiņa–Brazeviča
“Design Your Own T-Shirt” – a tie-dye workshop introducing the batik dyeing technique.

During the workshop, participants will observe demonstrations and learn different batik techniques, including stencil batik, tied batik, and hot wax batik. They will learn about traditional and contemporary fabric-dyeing practices, natural dye production, and the materials and tools required for creating batik artworks. In the practical session, each participant will create their own unique T-shirt using the tie-dye batik technique. The workshop will be led by fashion designer Liena Subatiņa-Brazeviča.

15.07. | Laura Ikauniece
“When Words and Images Become a Story” – a creative writing masterclass.

Inspired by various texts, images, and associations, participants will create their own unique stories, developing imagination, language skills, and the ability to creatively interpret what they see and read. The session will reveal how text and visual material can combine to create engaging narrative worlds. The masterclass will be led by Laura Ikauniece, author of the book Kate Cukurvate Conquers Meatball Soup.

22.07. | Māra Gaņģe
“The Museum of Lost Things” – a performative and research-based art workshop.

The workshop consists of two parts. In the first part, children and young people, equipped with vinyl gloves and paper collection bags, will explore the urban environment in search of objects they consider lost or abandoned. In the second part, upon returning to the theatre space, each participant becomes the curator of their own “museum,” reflecting on the meaning, story, and display possibilities of the found objects. The workshop encourages participants to think about the value of everyday items, the environment, and human relationships with objects. The workshop will be led by performance artist Māra Gaņģe.

29.07.| Oto Holgers Ozoliņš
“Form-Making Workshop” – an introduction to sculpture mould-making and casting techniques.

Participants will explore various sculptural materials and working processes while listening to a sculptor discuss the nuances of the profession, creative experiences, and the process of creating a sculpture. During the workshop, participants will develop spatial and sculptural thinking through hands-on practice, creating a mould and producing a plaster cast of their own hand. The workshop will be led by sculptor Oto Holgers Ozoliņš.

05.08. | Dārta Madara Cielava
“Impasto Oil Painting” – a workshop exploring oil painting techniques.

Participants will become acquainted with the impasto oil painting technique, which uses thick, textured paint and expressive brushstrokes. During the session, they will gain an understanding of colour layering, composition, and the importance of texture in painting, while creating their own individual artwork using the technique. The workshop will be led by painter Dārta Madara Cielava.

12.08. | Ilze Krastiņa
“Draw the Summer” – large-format flower and plant painting using acrylic paints.

Participants will explore the diverse possibilities of acrylic paints while learning about colour harmony, composition, and various application techniques. In the practical part of the workshop, each participant will create an individual A2-format artwork, expressing their own vision and creativity. The workshop will be led by mural and decorative wall painting artist Ilze Krastiņa.

19.08. | Auce Biele
“Splash Studio: Painting Emotions Through Abstraction” – an abstract painting workshop.

Participants will explore the principles of abstract art and create their own artworks using emotions, movement, and spontaneous interactions of colour as tool of creative expression. The session will include discussion about the feelings and associations evoked by abstract art, as well as the role of art as a form of emotional self-expression. Participants will also hear the artist speak about her creative experiences in different countries around the world and her work at the Latvian National Opera and Ballet, The workshop will be led by visual communication artist Auce Biele.

To register, please call +371 20217889 or email liena.subatina@ogresnovads.lv.

Participation Fee: EUR 3.00

All materials are included.

When registering, please provide the participant’s name, a parent or guardian’s contact phone number, and the name of the responsible adult.

At the end of the workshops, an exhibition of the participants’ best works will be organized, providing an opportunity to publicly showcase the results of their creative process.

The exhibition will develop gradually throughout the project. It will begin with the first day of the creative workshops on 8 July 2026 and will remain open to visitors until 13 September 2026.

The exhibition will officially open during the Ogre City Festival on 22 August 2026 at 12:00 PM in the Small Exhibition Hall of the Ogre History and Art Museum.

“In July 1940, J. Gucevičs bought two mercury thermometers in Riga, while J. Nemo purchased apple pies at the buffet of the Ogre railway station. The contents of one broken thermometer were poured into one of the pies. The ‘enhanced’ pie was then fed by J. Nemo to V. Jupatins at the Ogre Community Hall, following a ceremonial rally held in honor of a visit by commanders of the occupation army.

J. Gucevičs did not know that ingesting mercury is not lethal. The harm done to V. Jupatins was limited to severe stomach cramps and groaning while lying on a couch in his office.”

📍You can read the full story in the permanent exhibition “The Path to Freedom”

Photograph: Organizers of the parliamentary elections at the Ķegums open-air stage. 1940. Collection of the Ogre History and Art Museum.

Dārta Madara Cielava studies at a Master’s program in painting. Although the artist is a painter by education, other media and materials also play a significant role in her practice. Each technical solution is chosen deliberately, as painting becomes a language that freely transcends the boundaries of a single medium.

The author of the exhibition reflects: “I am a student; I have school, work, and home. And at home, I also work, paint, write, and send endless rows of emails. Routine arises from comfort and the connection of small problems and joys. I am affected by expensive heating in a rental house; I am affected by stupid, ill-considered expressions uttered by people whose staged plays we are all subjected to. My bed is my safety; it is like the starting point of a coordinate plane. I am not untouchable; I am in a cage of my own building. Stepping out of it, a new act begins.”

In her works, Dārta Madara Cielava perceives everyday objects as signs that form a personal visual language. Compositions are formed intuitively, seeking connections between the visible and the experienced, between the physical environment and its emotional resonance. The artist does not try to provide unambiguous answers but rather draws attention to questions and experiences that characterize the daily life of a modern person. In the paintings, impasto brushstrokes, bright colors, and unpainted areas of linen canvas intermingle. This contrast creates a balance between presence and absence, allowing meaning to form not only in what is depicted but also in what remains unsaid.

Dārta Madara Cielava became the laureate of the 2025 competition exhibition “Artists of Ogre Municipality” with the work “Grandpa Doesn’t Know My Name,” which depicted a personal story of the artist. The jury commission consisted of Māris Grosbahs, curator of exhibitions at the Ogre History and Art Museum, photographer Georgs Avetisjans, art historian Māra Lāss, graphic artist and art historian Valdis Villerušs, and scenographer and multimedia artist Ineta Sipunova. The winner of the competition’s main prize received the opportunity to hold a solo exhibition in 2026 in the museum’s Great Hall. Through the work “Grandpa Doesn’t Know My Name,” the author touches upon a relevant and new theme in Latvian painting—dementia. It is important for the Ogre History and Art Museum to support young artists from the region, promote their professional growth, and enhance the visibility of their work in the broader cultural space.

The exhibition will be open to visitors from July 3 to September 27.

Exhibition artist: Dārta Madara Cielava

Project manager: Elīna Cērpa

Creative process mentor: Madara Kvēpa

Graphic design: Kristīne Martinova

Photo: Oksana Okmi Mizgajeva