2016

Christmas Season Activities in LVM Recreation Facilities

Along with the first Advent, the miracle of Winter Solstice wanders around and lives almost in every heart. Also in the recreational facilities of JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” (LVM), where activities before Christmas are in full swing. Children believe in miracles, and therefore working together by exploring the value of forest and nature  in environmental Master Classes is very essential. Grown-ups also can live the miracle by working diligently in the world of cones, seeds, and other natural goods, making their own Christmas miracle that will warm hearts of their family members and friends.

Holiday mood workshops in LVM Jaunmokas Palace

On two Sundays, on 27 November and 4 December, the Column Hall of LVM Jaunmokas Palace will turn into a gathering place for diligent wizards and a place for creation of master pieces. Guided by Guna Mikute, an experienced landscape architect and florist, everyone interested will have a chance to create their own special holiday decoration from natural materials.

How to make your own Advent Wreath from a straw base or decorations made of cones with laces or even slices of dried apple? How to create feathery clusters whirling in the air from a simple lake reeds? How pine cones, picked up in marine clay, with an artistic touch can be turned into a stylish room decoration of the season? Everyone who is interested will have a chance to find out how it is done in the holiday mood workshops taking place in the LVM Jaunmokas Palace. Advent Wreaths will be made on the first Advent, but on the next advent – interior decorations from cones, reeds and other freely available, usual, and unusual natural materials.

All the necessary materials to create wreaths and decorations are already supplied; the only thing you need to take along is the joy of creation! For more information: 26187442 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Wreath braiding and decorating in LVM Kalsnava Arboretum

How to make a gorgeous, special and one of a kind Advent Wreath only from natural materials? Students of different ages can find it out in LVM Kalsnava Arboretum – the garden of extraordinary trees, until December 11. Together with experienced arboretum dwarfs, each student will be able to learn the basics of how to make the base of a wreath and discover different kinds of cones that may be used in decorating the wreath. Student groups should apply in advance calling 27841099 or 28784290.

Gorgeous Advent Wreaths and holiday decorations made in the LVM Kalsnava Arboretum are already available in the recently opened “LVM Seeds and Plants” store at 1 Vaiņodes Street, Riga.

Listen to the wisdom of LVM Pokaiņi Forest

The Christmas week will take place in LVM Pokaiņi Forest from December 12 until December 16 – “Christmas Stories of Wise Forest Dwellers” – for preschool children and students of up to the 6th grade. LVM Pokaiņi Forest has long been known for its wisdom holders, which are willing to share their knowledge. While waiting for the Winter Solstice, it is possible to meet the Plant Sorceress, Fire Man, Nose Dwarf, and of course Santa Claus, who brings joy to the little forest visitors.

In the wigwam of LVM Pokaiņi Forest, children are invited to reveal the secrets of Mammadaba (Mother Nature) – which plants are the best for health improvement and which for strength. Considering that Winter Solstice is a special time of the year, also in LVM Pokaiņi Forest ziggurat guests will have a chance to take part in a little solstice fire ritual.

After the activities in the nature, in the workshop near the fireplace, each child will have the opportunity to make their own Christmas fragrant ball together with the Nose Dwarf. When the fragrant balls are done, everyone is welcome to the Santa’s house, where true Christmas joy will be created all day long! All interested can apply for the Christmas week until December 1 by calling 26472202.

Workshops for the little ones in LVM Nature Park in Tērvete

There is no more magical place under the sky fulfilled by evening light than LVM Nature Park in Tērvete. In the dark hours of the day, the pedestrian wooden bridge – a laboratory, together with the surrounding pine forest tops play the game of lights. In turn, during the day, little park visitors can visit different environmental and Winter Solstice workshops, where little helpers of the Dwarfs` Forest will assist; listen to the exciting stories within the program “Zem eglītes mazs…” (“Under the tree...”), as well as, meet Santa Claus in the Fairytale Forest right before Christmas.

Within the workshop program that is intended for preschool children and students of the 1st and 2nd grade, participants together with the Dwarf Father will have a chance to make a toy and acquire knowledge about the wood. In turn, the Dwarf Mother will share her knowledge about the forest. The Dwarf Daughter will teach some joyful and new games! Groups of children can apply for the environmental workshops calling: 28309394 or 63726212; there are still free places for the workshops until December 8. In turn, families with children and nature friends that do not go to the environmental workshops are always welcome to walk the park trails and meet the park fairytale characters.