The exhibition is meant for both children and adults. While parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts can remember their childhood – admire dolls, bears and cars of their youth, children can play “Riču-raču” (a board game), walk the labyrinth, live the stories of well-known characters from children books – Pippi and Karlsson (A. Lindgren), Little devils (R. Blaumanis), Tom Thumb (A. Brigadere) and princesses. There is a special showcase for gifts – everyone who wants to donate a gift (a certain toy) to the museum can do so by putting it in the showcase. At the exhibition it is also possible to see witnesses of ancient times – dices, which were popular during the Middle Ages, pipes, drummer etc.
Exhibition „Latvia during the Latvian War of Independence (1918-1921)”
The new exhibition can be seen at the National History Museum of Latvia from the 7th of October. It was opened by Valdis Zatlers, the president of the Republic of Latvia, and characterizes the events and the period from November 18, 1918 (the proclamation of Latvia’s independence) until January 26, 1921, when the most powerful countries began to recognize Latvia de jure.
The exhibition has two parts. One part of the exhibition is mobile and will be available in other museums, cultural centres and schools of Latvia as well. The second part consists of the exhibits and will be available only at the National History Museum of Latvia. Both parts of the exhibition are available from the 7th of October until the 15nd of November.
A new guide- book about the Araiši Museum - Park is published
The presentation of guide-book “The archaeological museum- park Araiši” took place on December 18, 2008. The author of this guide-book is Dr.hist. Jānis Apals. His name and life is connected both with the study of lake Araiši and with the reconstruction of the lake castle Araiši. In 1965 - 1969 and 1975 - 1979, Jānis Apals used the newest methods of underwater archaeology and lead the archaeological excavations, when about 2 000 antiquities were found, which confirmed that the castle were inhabited by Latgalians in 9th -12th centuries. The guide-book includes the description of the objects of museum –park, 60 pictures of excavations, museum exhibits, photos and maps, on 98 pages.
Travelling exhibitions
National History Museum of Latvia developed a new exhibition program and offered to Regional governments of Latvia and Town halls to place travelling exhibitions in Culture centres, in the museums or in the buildings of Town Halls. The exhibitions consist of large informative stands, on which great illustrations and text information are located. These exhibitions obtained recognition in Latvia and abroad.
The exhibition “Latvia: state, people, land” is the newest exhibition. It briefly represents the history of Latvia and Latvian nation, the development of Latvian state and traditions. This exhibition obtained recognition not only in Latvia, but also in Croatia (Osiek), and in Poland (Biskupin).
The Exhibition “The Baltic way to freedom 1987-1991” is the travelling photo exhibition, dedicated to one of the most significant periods of the history of Latvia. This exhibition is dedicated to the patriotic action “Baltic way” , in August 1989 1,5 million people in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, a 600 km longlive chain from Tallinn - trough Riga - to Vilnius.
The Exhibition “Francis Balodis - 125” is dedicated to life and activity of archaeologist Francis Balodis (1882 - 1947), who is considered the founder of Latvian professional archaeology and the first Latvian Egyptologist.
Āraiši Museum - Park joined with the National History Museum of Latvia
On the 13th of March, at press conference in the Ministry of Culture it was officially declared that Museum Park of Āraiši joined with the National History Museum of Latvia. Minister of Culture Helēna Demakova, director of National History Museum of Latvia Arnis Radiņš and archeologists Jānis Apals and Zigrīda Apala participated in that press conference. The Museum Park of Āraiši is the cultural-historical monument which is located in the district of Cēsis. The museum is the Lake Castle, which consists of reconstructions of buildings of Stone and Bronze Age where settlement of Latgalians in 9th – 11th century was. There are also ruins of medieval castle dated back to Livonian time. Up to now this museum park was managed by Lake Castle fund of Āraiši, but now the complex became a part of National History Museum of Latvia.
