5th meeting at Aizkraukle in Latvia
Our 5th meeting took place at the period of the 25th of April till the 29 of April, 2022.
During the first day, Turkish, Portugal, Romanian and Lithuanian teams visited our VET school, where our students together with us, teachers, told and showed the courses, facilities and activities available here, as well as the history of school.
Then we had a workshop with a teacher Renars – creating a video for VR glasses, we were able to acquire the knowledge what the thing it is, how to make it, what equipment we need, because creating of such a video is quiet new technology, only few people know it.
After that, teams had the opportunity to participate in an ice-breaking sport activity called „Fool`s ten”, which is a traditional and popular school`s entertainment. In the evening we had dinner party , where our school`s band „Roses and Chains” showed their best, performing latvian songs, our students showed some traditional dances, people can see them in every latvian dance party.
The second project day we spent in Aizkraukle, we had a tour around the town, then teams visited Hidroelectric Power Plant, which is one of the biggest in Europe and very important industrial heritage element. We continued with the visit of Aizkraukle history and art museum, as well as, its permanent exhibition „Soviet Era; museum`s guides have told us interesting historical facts about Aizkraukle and its region, which was founded by russian migrants, and, in fact, it is the soviet era legacy.
The third day – a trip to Gauja National park and its historical center – town Sigulda. It is the largest and the oldest national park in Latvia; the centre of nature, cultural, historical tourism from the 19th century.We saw Sigulda Livonian Order castle, Turaida castle,Krimulda manor and church; walked along Sigulda trails.
Day 4: Teams travelled to the west of Latvia to town Kuldiga, on the way to it, we had a stop at Kemeri bog. The bog is unique by its untouched nature; it is a home to a lot of species of birds and wildlife. Kuldiga is famous for its well-preserved historical centre,which dates back to 16th century. We had the opportunity to see there the Venta river`s 240-meter wide natural waterfall ( Ventas rumba), which is the widest in Europe.
Teacher Renars was travelling with us the whole week, filming us and sightings, using special camera for creating videos for VR glasses, so on the last meeting day he presented an example how video would look like in the end.
We ended up the meeting with going to our capital city – Riga, which, of course, is the main historical and cultural heritage element. We walked around Riga historical centre, saw there a lot of old churches and cathedrals, had a stroll along Art Nouveau street, because Riga is famous for this architect style.
We hope students and their teacher got enough information about Latvia, found something similar or something different in our culture, traditions and life style and all that is broaden their view of the world.
Our final product – video for VR glasses is available for watching on project`s site d-ambassadors.com. So come and see it!