Description
The project “Restoration of the Museum of Rainis and Aspazija” envisages reconstruction and restoration of three museum units: the reconstruction and restoration of the memorial house “Rainis and Aspazija summer cottage” - which consists of three buildings which are characteristic to Jūrmala wooden constructions - the reconstruction and restoration of the Museum of Rainis “Tadenava” in the Jēkabpils region, Dunava district and reconstruction and restoration of the Rainis and Aspazija House in Baznīcas iela 30, Riga. The project aims to reconstruct and restore Raina and Aspazija three museum exhibition spaces in order to ensure the preservation of cultural heritage and cultural services made accessible the public. Beneficaries of the project are all visitors of the museum units. The Project promoter has two partners - Association of Lillehammer museums in Norway and and the subordinate institution of the Ministry of Culture of Latvia, the Association of the Memorial Museums. In cooperation with these two institutions it will be possible to raise the quality of the restoration works and share experiences which contributes to accelerated learning through best practices.
Summary of project results
The architectural and artistic image and the utilities at Rainis and Aspazija Summer Cottage were morally and technically obsolete and they did not conform with the contemporary quality of life requirements and the requirements for the storage of exhibits. The buildings of the Museum of Rainis “Tadenava” complex lacked the required infrastructure support and the buildings were closed to emergency condition and therefore they could not be used for large scale events and could not host more than 20 visitors simultaneously at the museum complex. The museum lacked premises and equipment for the implementation of educational programmes at the museum. The museum complex lacked an internet connection. The buildings of Rainis and Aspazija House could not be used for large scale events. The museum lacked premises and equipment for the implementation of educational programmes at the museum. Three exposition sites of the Museum of Rainis and Aspazija - Rainis and Aspazija Summer Cottage, Museum of Rainis "Tadenava" and Rainis and Aspazija House have been restored, renovated and opened to the public in summer 2016. The restored and renovated buildings have exhibitions with new design and modern approach to explain the history. Great attention was paid to transfer of knowledge and skills in close bilateral cooperation – theoretical and practical trainings were organized in the Memorial House “Rainis and Aspazija Summer Cottage” with participation of experts and craftsmen from Norway.All three restored museums have received an award “The Kilogram of Culture 2016” in nomination “Heritage”. Furthermore the restoration of the Museum of Rainis “Tadenava” complex won the second place in "Latvian Construction Industry Annual Award 2016" in nomination "Restoration" and received recognition in nomination "Wooden building" and the restoration of the buildings of the Rainis and Aspazija House received recognition from the jury in nomination "Reconstruction" .
Summary of bilateral results
The bilateral cooperation with the Association of Lillehammer museums helped to raise the quality of the restoration works and share experiences which contributes to accelerated learning through best practices. The experience exchange visits of the Norway Association of Lillehammer museums helped to share knowledge and experience to do restoration by the best way. The project partner from the Norway was involved in the Project Management Group and participated at the project meetings and shared experience and best practice. In the project Great attention was paid to transfer of knowledge and skills in close bilateral cooperation – theoretical and practical trainings were organized in the Memorial House “Rainis and Aspazija Summer Cottage” with participation of experts and craftsmen from Norway. Within the practical workshops craftsmen and students have opportunity to restore wooden parts of the summer cottage, for example, windows, and get new skills of the restoration techniques.