President of Latvia thanked the staff of ‘Vēveri’ for educating young Latvians about various traditional crafts and skills in Latvia.
While visiting Cēsis, President Levits went to three cultural spaces, including exhibition ‘Burning Conscience’, which was recently given a special jury mention by the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2020. ‘My cultural journey today is all about contrast: exhibition ‘Burning Conscience’ reveals the darkest days in our history such as the Soviet mass deportations and national resistance movement,’ said Egils Levits.
President also pointed out that it is important for an exhibition like this to show both sides. Persecution of Latvians under occupation rule and how nation resisted it. Resistance took different forms and remained active throughout occupation. It embodies our nation’s will to fight for freedom.
President Levits then visited Cēsis Castle and Latvian symbolism exhibition. Focused on the most important period in Latvia’s art history, it tells a digital story and shows how modern technologies can be used to create a living story with a fresh perspective.
President concluded his museum tour by going to Global Centre for Latvian Art and its diverse exhibition. President thanked the founders and staff of the Centre and stressed: ‘Diaspora is a vital part of our nation. It has its own distinct culture and art, which forms an integral part of culture and art of the whole Latvian nation. It reflects the historic reality of Latvians and their place in the world. Thank you for preserving it and giving it to us.’
Egils Levits also met with Cēsis regional government leadership and discussed Cēsis position on regional reform, role of culture in development of Cēsis and other current issues.
‘On many levels, culture and museums enrich everyone as a person. We can, of course, live with our eyes and ears closed, but that way we will miss out on many opportunities ahead of us,’ said the President while also urging everyone to explore national cultural space.
