Latvian and Lithuanian Seniors Discover the Culture, Traditions and Health Practices of Augšdaugava Municipality

On 26–27 August, a two-day social inclusion event for seniors took place in Augšdaugava Municipality, bringing together participants from Augšdaugava Municipality and Dobele in Latvia, as well as from the Lithuanian project partner municipalities of Plungė and Akmenė.

The programme combined practical sessions on health and safety, cultural heritage, experience exchange and informal social activities. The aim was to promote social inclusion and cooperation among seniors while introducing project partners to the cultural diversity and distinctive border-region identity of Augšdaugava Municipality.

At Subate Library – staying calm in a crisis

The event began at Subate Library, where the participants visited the sensory room created within the Interreg “INCLUSIVE” project and learned how sensory equipment can help reduce stress and promote wellbeing.

1. Samagare, Civil Protection Engineer of Augšdaugava Municipality, introduced the participants to crisis preparedness and discussed how to remain calm and act thoughtfully in unexpected situations. Seniors discussed how to prepare for different types of emergencies, assess a situation and protect themselves while being able to help others when necessary.

A practical part of the session focused on the contents of a 72-hour emergency preparedness bag and the essential supplies that should be available in case regular services become temporarily unavailable.

Daugavpils – from history to contemporary art

The seniors visited Daugavpils Fortress and the Rothko Museum, combining an introduction to the city’s history with contemporary art.

The museum visit offered a particularly diverse experience. Participants saw Roger Ballen’s provocative photography, which sparked discussions about how differently people can perceive art and what may be considered beautiful, unusual or controversial. In contrast, the peaceful and meditative works of Chinese artist Liu Guofu created a completely different atmosphere.

The visit also included Peteris Martinsons’ House, offering an insight into the artist’s personal environment and creative world.

The diversity of the exhibitions encouraged the seniors to share their impressions and opinions.

“It was interesting to see how differently people can perceive the same artwork. Everyone has their own perspective, and when you discuss it together, you discover a completely different picture,” said Valentīna, one of the participants.

Sharing experience at Višķi Day Care Centre

At the Višķi Day Care Centre, the guests learned about the centre’s work and the opportunities available to seniors.

For participants from Dobele, Plungė and Akmenė, the visit provided an opportunity to compare experiences from different municipalities and discuss services and activities that support seniors in their everyday lives.

Such experience exchange is particularly valuable in cross-border cooperation, as it allows participants to discover not only new places, but also different approaches to supporting older people.

Healthy sauna traditions – knowledge and wellbeing

At the “Virogna” recreation centre, the seniors were welcomed by local sauna practitioners Jānis and Dzintra from Višķi.

The participants learned about healthy and safe sauna traditions, including how to prepare for a sauna session, listen to their body’s signals and use traditional sauna practices to promote wellbeing.

During the practical activity, the seniors prepared natural body scrubs and learned about plants that can be used for relaxation, wellbeing and health.

“Everyone has their own sauna habits, but there was a lot to learn here. I had no idea making a body scrub could be so simple – you just blend it,” said Adele with a smile.

The informal evening provided an opportunity for seniors from different regions to get to know each other better while sharing their own experiences and traditions.

Practical knowledge for better health

Health and the ability to respond appropriately in emergency situations were also an important part of the programme.

The participants learned how to recognise the signs of a stroke and heart attack, what to do when emergency medical assistance is needed and how to provide basic assistance until professional help arrives. They also discussed which health issues and preventive measures are worth discussing with a family doctor.

The seniors had an opportunity to check their blood glucose levels and discuss healthy lifestyle choices and everyday habits.

“It is important not only to know that you need to call for help in an emergency, but also to stay calm and know what to do while waiting for assistance. This is knowledge that can really be useful,” said Ludmila, one of the participants.

Slutišķi – discovering the multicultural heritage of Augšdaugava

The cultural programme concluded with a visit to the Slutišķi Old Believers’ village and Naujenes Local History Museum.

For the Lithuanian participants from Plungė and Akmenė, as well as the guests from Dobele, this was an opportunity to discover a part of Augšdaugava’s cultural heritage that is less familiar in other regions of Latvia and Lithuania.

Slutišķi offered an insight into a region where different cultures, traditions, religions and communities have coexisted for centuries. The participants discovered the heritage of the Old Believers, traditional rural farmsteads and the historical way of life of the local community.

The visit also created an opportunity to compare traditions from different regions and discuss how cultural heritage can be preserved and passed on to future generations.

Two days that brought people closer together

The two-day event demonstrated that social inclusion begins with the opportunity to meet new people, share experiences, learn from one another and feel part of a community.

For seniors from Augšdaugava Municipality, Dobele, Plungė and Akmenė, the event offered an opportunity not only to discover new places and gain practical knowledge, but also to build new contacts and friendships.

“We came to discover Augšdaugava, but we will also leave with new friends. What I appreciated most was that the programme was not only about excursions – there were practical activities, conversations and simply time to be together,” said Rasma from Dobele.

Cross-border meetings help participants discover the people and traditions of neighbouring regions while also seeing the values of their own communities from a new perspective. Experience exchange between seniors from Latvia and Lithuania creates a strong foundation for continued cooperation.

The organisers thank all Latvian and Lithuanian seniors for their enthusiasm, active participation and warm atmosphere, as well as everyone who helped make these two days informative, practical and memorable.

 

Visit project: EMERG