2014
International conference
The Latvian mitten expresses the Latvian taste, creative joy, imagination, craftsmanship and Latvian understanding of the world, perhaps even better than any other element of Latvian traditional costume.
The National Cultural Center of Latvia, in cooperation with the National Costume Center SENĀ KLĒTS, is organizing an international conference "Mitten World" from June 5 til June 7, 2014. Lecturers from Latvia, as well as foreign countries - Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and Estonia - will take part in the conference.
SALONS A has opened!
We are proud to announce that starting from May 2014, Asnāte Smeltere's beautiful shop SALONS A has reopened next to the National Costume Center SENĀ KLĒTS. Congratulations!
Creative restlessness
On May 15, 2014, SENĀ KLĒTS participated in the fashion show "Radošais nemiers", by presenting children's outfits, which used fabrics from ethnographic skirts.
Knitting event in Stacijas laukums on June 6, 2014
The international conference and exhibition "Mitten World"
SENĀ KLĒTS at the Frankfurt Book Fair
The days of autumn have arrived, when the sun shines less, and we are greeted by frozen maple leaves in the early mornings. The cold is starting to bite your hands and for the first time in several months you remember about your old mittens. But maybe it is time for a new pair? Then it is best to knit them yourself, and not only for yourself, but also for relatives and friends, because Christmas always comes sooner than it seems!
For inspiration, you should definitely open the book "Latvian mittens" by Maruta Grasmane, where the author has assesed the unique mittens of all regions of Latvia! Maybe you find a traditional pattern directly from your district and fall in love with it? Either way, they will certainly have a story with them - both about the traditions of Latvians and about the time invested by the knitter, the joy of work and good thoughts! It will definitely be the right accessory for a bright autumn and white winter!
In the autumn of 2014, we went to talk about Latvian mittens outside of Latvia as well. From October 8 to 11, we were at the Frankfurt Book Fair at the Latvian stand. We are sure that the book "Latvian mittens" will reveal the story of Latvian culture and traditions to lovers of handicrafts in many countries of the world.
We thank the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) and European Structural Funds for the opportunity to participate in this book fair..
2013
Puppet exhibition „Ķekatiņas”
On monday, October 21, 2013, the exhibition of Latvian ethnographic dolls was opened in SENĀ KLĒTS. A particularly interesting exhibition for families - children were able to meet the red Fox, the gray Wolf, the Goat, the Crane, the Rooster, the Hen, the Hare and their other friends.
The main sights are the puppets Ieviņa and Jancis created by Ieva Dāboliņa, for whom Sigita Krēsliņa, inspired by Latvian autumn celebration traditions, made outfits. The exhibition is a cooperative work of both authors.
Visitors could also see the puppets Baiba and Jānis, who were dressed in the national costumes of all five ethnographic regions of Latvia.
2012
Voldemārs Cīrulis memorial award event
In the summer of 2012, an exhibition-competition of Latvian national costumes for Voldemārs Cīrulis memorial was held at the Vecpiebalga House of Culture. A total of 36 costumes from all regions of Latvia were displayed at the exhibition. The project was organized by the municipality of Vecpiebalga region in cooperation with the Center for Cultural Education and Intangible Heritage in order to promote the making and wearing of traditional costumes, to encourage interest in our national costumse, and the possibilities of assembling it historically accurate.
Living folk costume
On September 14 and 15, 2012, SENĀ KLĒTS participated in the international conference "Living Folk Costume" in Tartu, Estonia. An exhibition was created from the national costumes in the inventory of SENĀ KLĒTS, which gave the conference participants from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Holland and Estonia an opportunity to get an idea of Latvian traditional costumes.
Don't keep your hands in pockets, wear mittens!
A unique book has been created - "Latvian mittens", which allows you to get to know the Latvian culture through the diverse patterns, elements and colors of ethnographic mittens. In 455 pages, the author Maruta Grasmane has summarized the materials collected over 20 years about Latvian ethnographic mittens and the ways of making them. The book consists of gorgeous photographs of mittens and national costumes, as well as precise technical drawings of mittens. The book will be available for purchase, starting from November 2012.
2012
Exhibition "A girl braided a crown in the middle of Riga"
Opening ceremony on August 2, 2011.
In ancient times, Latvians were familiar with a wide range of headdresses, and special attention was paid to decorating the head. Headdresses had not only a functional, but also a symbolic meaning - others could tell a lot about a persons age, festive customs, as well as the wearer's family status just from the headdress they wore. There was also a special kind of crown, that only women, who were ready for marriage, wore. The crown looked different in each region.
Exhibition „Mūs’ māsiņas jostas auda deviņiem dzīpariem”
Opening ceremony on November 1, 2011, at 4:00 p.m.
Belts are only a small part of the traditional Latvian national costume, however, they complement and enrich the clothing, and give it a special uniqueness, besides, they are one of the oldest, most richly decorated components of the costume.
We invite you to get to know belts made by excellent craftsmen. There is a lot to learn from their variety, manufacturing techniques and wearing traditions.
Puzuri workshop
Puzuri are one of the oldest winter solstice decorations that have decorated Latvian homes and yards long before the well-known Christmas tree. On Friday, December 9, 2011, the National Costume Center SENĀ KLĒTS invites you to learn the skills of making puzuri. Both children and adults are welcome to participate! The lesson is free. Come open-minded and curious!
2008
Exhibition in Kyiv
In Kyiv, at the National Culture Center of Ukraine, at the I. Gonchar Museum from 18.11.-07.12.2008. an exhibition of Latvian national costumes will be organized. In total, 26 national costumes from all the cultural and historical regions of Latvia have traveled to Kyiv. The binding information prepared and distributed by the embassy about the persistence of the Latvian national costume tradition has aroused great interest in the wider Ukrainian society, especially among ethnographers and folklore researchers.
2007
Mitten exhibition
19.09.2007. The exhibition "Ethnographic mittens- knitted, drawn and in electronic image" was held in SENĀ KLĒTS as a part of the project "Electronic library of Latvian mittens". The exhibition was organized with the support of the State Cultural Capital Fund, in cooperation with the Latvian Textile Embroidery Association, V/A Folk Art Center, Latvian National History Museum and Liepāja History Museum.
Exhibition in Washington
21.10.2007. National costume exhibition organized by the Embassy of Latvia in the USA in cooperation with SENĀ KLĒTS was displayed in the exhibition hall of Union Station in Washington. The exhibition was dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Latvia and the USA.
We thank the employees of the Latvian Embassy in Washington for the successful cooperation in preparing and providing the exhibition of ourcostumes! Many thanks to all the supporters and helpers who participated in the creation of the exhibition!