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Holiday Guide: Looking Forward to Summer Solstice

The feeling of midsummer solstice is in the air. Waiting for the magical and mysterious shortest night of the year, JSC "Latvia's State Forests" (LVM) encourages everyone to head for an adventure in the nature and explore the leisure facilities managed by LVM, draw natural energy in walks and songs, as well as acquire new skills in workshops.

The Herb Day in LVM Nature Park in Tērvete

LVM Nature Park in Tervēte, surrounded by scents of wildflowers and forest, looking forward to the midsummer night celebration will host a very special event - the Herb Day.

From 11.00 to 17.00, Nature Park visitors are invited to take part in a number of exciting and educating activities. Residents of the Dwarfs' Cottage together with their special guest - Mint Dwarf - will tell about the mysterious forest herbs (fern, sedge, a variety of mint and other wild plants), as well as show some simple tricks how to make natural jewellery. In turn, at the wooden sculpture called Ķēkša (Kitchen Maid) there will be a workshop for making chaplets of herbs that are told to be able to attract good health, success and luck.

And the big event of the day – a play by Rūdolfs Blaumanis “Trīnes grēki” performed by the amateur theatre “Trīne” of Culture House of Tērvete Municipality, stage director – Dzintra Zimaiša. The play will start at 15:00.

More information on the entrance ticket prices: http://www.mammadaba.lv/en/tervete-nature-park.

Having a Great Time in Tērvete Butterfly House

From 16 to 18 June, the tropical Butterfly House of Tērvete will host the Blue Morpho Festival - its truly magical atmosphere is perfect for the time of summer solstice. There will be more than 100 magnificent and impressive Blue Morpho butterflies, the wingspan of which reaches up to 15 centimetres, as well as 200-300 butterflies of other species.

More information on the entrance ticket prices: tervetestaurini.lv.

Natural Rituals in LVM Pokaiņi Forest

Already for many centuries, summer solstice has been bringing together people in places of natural energy to draw joy and strength. LVM Pokaiņi Forest, a place surrounded by mystical stories and experiences, will mark the beginning of summer solstice on 17 June at 12:00.

During the event, visitors guided by the Mother Forest will have an opportunity to pick up herbs and flowers in the meadows of LVM Pokaiņi Forest, while folklore group “Svitene” will give some very special festive performances. In the stones piles or ziggurat, there will be a Flower Ritual, while in the Ozolkalns Square guests will be served a delicious festive meal and Pokaiņi Forest special tea, which will be enjoyed singing and dancing.

Participation in the event with LVM Pokaiņi Forest entrance tickets: EUR 2.00 for adults; EUR 1.70 EUR for seniors, univeristy and school students; for pre-school children - free entrance.

Solstice Workshop in LVM Jaunmokas Palace

On 18 June from 12:00 to 16:00, everyone is kindly invited to LVM Jaunmokas Palace to take part in a very special summer solstice workshop. It will begin with a chaplet twisting training where visitors will have an opportunity to make different chaplets out of flowers, adding some beautiful leaves. It is a chance to make something that is both traditional and a little extravagant. Materials for twisting chaplets will be prepared and available in the meadow, but if you would like to entwine some special plant, just bring it along.

Those who not only want to work creatively, but also get to know a variety of medicinal herbs will have an opportunity to head for an educational walk in the Palace Park, which will start at 14:00.

The participation fee:

• chaplet twisting training - EUR 3 per person
• herbal tea walk - EUR 2.50 for adults, EUR 1.50 for children and seniors
• chaplet twisting training and herbal tea walk - EUR 5 for adults, EUR 4 for children and seniors

Read more about Mammadaba (Mother Nature) at: http://www.mammadaba.lv/en