Winter in Latvia is magic. Is that time when fairy tales come true, when adults become children, and children are ruling the world. It’s a playful time, with singing, dancing, playing and fortune telling. Yes, everything is possible now, and you don’t really need a special place to experience the magic, but when that place exists, even better. The Latvian Ethnographic Open-air Museum invites the hurried traveler to stop for a while at the Winter Solstice Events, and enjoy Latvian tradition, music, cookery and fun.
Winter Solstice 2009 in Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum, courtesy Dainis Matisons
The museum invites visitors who stop by on December 19th between 12:00 and 21:00 to celebrate an early Christmas, with folk group performances, acting workshops, and a horse-drawn sleigh ride. They’ll be sipping hot tea by the fire, and, as an alternative to purchasing gifts for the loved ones, the museum offers visitors the possibility to make the gifts with their own hands: candles, soap, gingerbread, postcards and more.
Another image from the Winter Solstice Events 2009 in Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum, courtesy Dainis Matisons
The traditional yuletide log-dragging ceremony will be led by the folklore group Rija and will take place from 14:00 to 16:00. It will be followed by log burning, to beat evil from the land. Later, visitors can enjoy the light show at the LED museum – and this will set the scene for the open-sleight ride in the evening – when the lights of the museum shine brighter, ensuring a romantic atmosphere.
Log burning at the Winter Solstice Events 2009 in Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum, courtesy Dainis Matisons
View more photographs by Dainis Matisons.