The Manor Network concept is based on the desire of employees, owners and active citizens of manor houses, castles and cultural heritage sites in Valmiera region to cooperate in problemsolving, realise ideas and find new uses for historic sites. It will be a network for challenges related to the exploration and preservation of cultural heritage, responsible management, tourism development and events organisation. The long term goal – a tool to provide knowledge and skills to network members.
Regional
Latvia
Valmiera region
Mainly rural
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
No
No
As a representative of an organisation
Name of the organisation(s): Valmiermuiža Association of Culture (Valmiermuižas kultūras biedrība) Type of organisation: Non-profit organisation First name of representative: Sabīne Last name of representative: Vandāna Age: 30 Please attach a copy of your national ID/residence card:
By ticking this box, I certify that the information regarding my age is factually correct. : Yes Gender: Female Nationality: Latvia Function: Public benefit organisation: development of civil society, promotion of culture Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Dzirnavu street 2 Town: Valmiermuiža Postal code: LV4219 Country: Latvia Direct Tel:+371 26 488 399 E-mail:kultura@valmiermuiza.lv
Valmiera is a micro-city of Latvia, the administrative center of region – population: 54642 (OCMA, 2021), of which 45 % live in Valmiera and 55 % live in the rest of the territory, municipality area: 2947,91 km2, of which 1,3 % is urban area, 98,7 % rural area. The post-Soviet stigmas that Latvia experienced when we were incorporated into the USSR against our will, continue to live on in the consciousness of people in Latvia and many Eastern European bloc member states, often as a denial of our individuality, belonging and place, forcing us to ask ourselves whether we feel we belong and fit into the European cultural space, how we see ourselves and express ourselves? The practices of the falsified socialism of the Soviet period made people lose the courage to speak up and express their opinions freely, and to be participatory and believe that their voice mattered.
The Manor Network concept is based in the desire of employees, owners and active citizens of manor houses and cultural heritage sites in Valmiera region to cooperate in problemsolving, realise ideas and find new uses for historic sites. It will be a opportunity for cooperation on challenges related to the exploration and preservation of cultural heritage, responsible management, tourism development and events organisation. For visitors, it will be a resource and an opportunity to enjoy culture and nature at a leisurely pace, providing a sense of interaction between the historic and the contemporary. Sabīne Vandāna from Valmiermuiža Association of Culture coordinate the development of the network.
The network will promote the creation and availability of new cultural offering, create job opportunities and improve access to culture in the region's rural areas, by improving the quality of life of local communities. We will give an example of how to preserve the ancient breath of manor houses and inspire them to find a new archetypal image that promotes community values, local patriotism, place identity.
Networking
Heritage
Community
Culture
Identity
The Manor Network will promote the members' understanding of the values of sustainability in the most direct way. The more educated and knowledgeable the members of the Manor Network are, the more sustainably they will be able to maintain their properties, cultural values and find opportunities to improve the environment.
Manors, as witnesses of the glory of the past and cultural heritage, can become a significant contribution to social sustainability – involvement of the local community and building a sense of belonging, joy of life, acceptance, mutual attention, formation and consolidation of new interest groups, accessibility of events to the local community (prevention of cultural elitism), highlighting the cultural values that we want to preserve in today's society.
There are many nationally recognized art, architecture and cultural monuments in the Valmiera region, which highlight their value at the national and regional level, and therefore impose the obligation to take care of them in the long term. These objects require responsible and heritage-appropriate restoration and restoration methods.
Economic sustainability will be ensured in different ways – involved local entrepreneurs, service providers, adjustment of cultural costs according to solvency, diversity of investment attraction sources.
Likewise, the care and development of historic manor gardens and parks, and the preservation of green areas improve biological diversity and preservation/restoration of ancient crops (principle: local – ancient – better adapted to our climatic conditions, with higher nutritional value). Important role play biological solutions in plant protection and horticulture (less pesticides, chemically synthesized nutrients, use of compost material for soil enrichment, etc.). Some manors are especially familiar with the creation of historical gardens, and also create seminars and lectures to inform the local community and specialists about it.
Valmiera was almost completely destroyed in the two world wars. The region unfortunately cannot offer a picturesque, historic Old Town, but we are proud of around 30 castles and manor houses (currently recognized: https://goo.gl/maps/W5fhxFo6o48JHZg88), which impress with the architectonics of their buildings, as well as the exquisite beauty of their parks and gardens. This heritage is diverse – from a single building to an entire farm with gardens, parks and farmland. Unfortunately, in the course of historical events, the manors were confiscated and nationalised, thus condemning this cultural heritage to a slow demise: the buildings were mismanaged, irresponsibly destroyed and arbitrarily adapted to inappropriate functions, with no respect for artistic and cultural values.
There are known challenges with the adaptation of historical buildings to modern requirements and amenities, but this can be solved step by step by receiving various financial supports. In the meantime, we will make the manors available to the wider public and interesents to learn about history and create new cultural experiences.
The Manor Network members are interested in the restoration and renewal of cultural heritage in order to preserve it for future generations. Cultural heritage sites are essential to the local landscape and its preservation. An aesthetic and comfortable living environment is important for the local community to promote the feeling of belonging and also for visitors to enjoy the area and cultural events. The members of the network will defend this historical and aesthetic value in cooperation with the local municipality.
The Manor Network is a concept based on the initiative of enthusiasts, therefore it is open to any interested person who wants to act, help, share knowledge and skills or give advice in professional areas. It unites associations, entrepreneurs and private individuals, as well as the public sector – local municipality institutions.
Events within the Manor Network bring together different generations as well as social groups, and enthusiasts of historical heritage come from both urban and rural areas. The audience of the organized cultural events also accords to the identity of each manor (depending on its location and possibilities) – families with children, seniors, the local community, and tourists from near and far.
The more cultural monuments, the more accessible they should be to the public – the objective is to invite not only public, but also private owners to be proud of their manors and make them accessible and affordable to a wide range of society. If it is a residential house, then we encourage the accessibility of at least part of the facade, so that visitors can learn about the historical architecture. Knowledge sharing plays an important role in promoting accessibility in the restoration and adaptation of historic buildings, which is a major challenge in this sector.
Anyone interested in the meaningful, responsible development of cultural heritage, as well as industry specialists who can help with advice and historical materials and research, are invited to join the Manor Network.
The network is a successful communication tool for civil society and the municipality of Valmiera region. We are in dialogue to identify opportunities, how we can support each other. Due to the initiative of the activists, the municipality is creating a funding competition for cultural heritage. Every citizen will be able to apply for the possible financing for the preservation of the cultural heritage values under their management.
“This summer, a workshop called “New European Valmiermuiža” took place in Latvia, based around a principle of the New European Bauhaus initiative – “Renew, don’t build new”. Valmiermuiža is a perfect example of how old and dormant buildings can regain new life with a new purpose. Some buildings of the former manor are already the home of the pioneering Valmiermuiža Craft Brewery, with its slow-food approach and appreciation of craftsmanship and local ingredients. They have also become the basis of new initiatives in the area aimed at reviving the village through art and design interventions and cultural events. This workshop was organized [..] with its goal to discuss and evaluate the aesthetics, sustainability, and the approaches to restoring local and cultural life within Valmiermuiža and its manor park and tower particularly.” (Commonities_expo: https://www.instagram.com/p/ClobeFGOvPy/) After the workshop, ideas were submitted to the municipality and are considered in the planning process of regional development documents. The Manor Network members plan to organize such workshops in other cultural heritage sites as well.
All those who create an aesthetic, culturally filled, scenically valuable environment useful for their own well-being and that of others also contribute to the growth of the entire region.
Sabīne Vandāna, as the head of the creative team of the Manor Network, collaborated with various stakeholders in the development of the European Capital of Culture application “Valmiera2027”. The concept was created by joint efforts, but without obtaining the hoped-for title, the local community continues to operate and develop the Manor Network with its own initiative.
Creation of concept: regional manors and castles, municipal council of Valmiera region. Currently around 20 active members are involved in the network, and the number is increasing.
Local partners, regional studies: Valmiera Museum, Valmiera Integrated Library. Seminars on the collection and research of historical materials are planned with cooperation partners.
National partners, information and support: Latvian Association of Castles and Manors, Tourism Cluster "EnterGauja", Vidzeme Tourism Association. The partners engage in tourism, marketing and publicity activities, as well as share their experience on public accessibility of cultural heritage objects. National Heritage Council evaluates the importance of cultural heritage objects at the national level, as well as provides advice on historical value, restoration and development possibilities.
Potential international partners for exchange of experience: Les Amis de l'Esparrou (France), Garden Pearls, Green Railways.
Potential encounter: European Network for Country House and Estate Research (Denmark), The Danish Research Centre for Manorial Studies (Denmark), Aarhus University (Denmark), TURIHAB network (Portugal), The European Route of Historic Gardens.
The tasks of the Manor Network are to help develop historical places in the Valmiera region – that's why various specialists and experts work and are involved in it. Cultural heritage objects require an interdisciplinary approach, therefore, in strengthening the identity of each manor, specifying the function and creating development scenarios, evaluations from different disciplines are important:
Intangible and tangible cultural heritage research, restoration, architecture, construction, urban planning, landscape architecture, horticulture, tourism, entrepreneurship, non-governmental sector activity, project management, brand management and marketing, production of cultural and artistic events.
As one of the examples and the extended workshop “New European Valmiermuiža”, which brought together representatives of various disciplines, who worked in several groups and created a short-term and long-term scenario for the tower of the Valmiermuiža manor house. The results of the workshop are valuable working tools for the Valmiermuiža Association of Culture and the municipality of Valmiera region, which owns the historical object. Several more workshops are planned to create development scenarios in the historical places of other members of the Manor Network.
Various seminars and lectures on topics that ensure management of cultural heritage objects and responsible and sustainable management are planned for the members, attracting the relevant specialists and experts.
During more than 2 years of field research for Valmieras` European Capital of Culture candidacy, the Manor Network creative team recognized there are close to none organized civic initiatives in Europe that care for preservation of cultural heritage (with additional education program). Still the recognized challenges are extremely common and the present everywhere – how do we look at torn down cities, which don`t hold great aesthetic value and have difficulties attracting tourists? Could the aesthetical parts of the “city” be viewed as a whole separate network outside of the city center? Could this be a sustainable and innovative solution to Valmiera and other similar “valmieras” in Europe? We think that it can!
The protection and preservation of cultural heritage is an important issue throughout Europe – owners and managers of manors and castles in France, the Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia and other European countries are looking for answers on how to preserve cultural heritage site and not lose or help find its identity in a changing environment in the face of global challenges. With the Manor Network we will give an example of how to preserve the ancient breath of manor houses and castles and inspire them to find a new archetypal image that promotes community values, local patriotism and place identity. By providing adequate resources and opportunities, we are ready to develop a methodology that other countries could also use when creating their networks of historic sites. In the long term, it would expand the opportunities for networking internationally, as well as create a diverse exchange of experience in the field of cultural heritage preservation.
Valmiermuiža Association of Culture in 2022 organized workshop “New European Valmiermuiža” for development of Valmiermuiža tower together with local community and specialists in various fields. It is a good example for the other members of the Manor Network, how to plan the development of their historic site. The format of the workshop turned out to be successful, so it is possible to implement the workshop in other regions and countries.
While creating the concept of the Manor Network, we encountered various issues that we are ready to proceed. How to look at historical heritage in a contemporary way – how complicated it is for the post-Soviet world (especially Eastern Europe), where the common history of these buildings and their owners is very ambiguous and how to tell these stories? How to maintain a sustainable action at a time when the political and economic situation is so unstable? How to promote the discussion in the wider society and interest them, also achieving greater civic engagement – clean-ups, voluntary work, public good? In Europe, and especially in Latvia, there is still very little public involvement. Could Valmiera be an example for other European countries?
We see the potential that with appropriate resources we can prepare a methodology that would be useful for other countries planning similar activities. The Manor Network is a good example of public and private partnership, which in reality is a big challenge – here we meet the public sector and the private sector and look for the best solutions on a larger scale – both sides have a lot to learn!
