New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023

Project category

Identify the award category for which this project is being submitted
Regaining a sense of belonging

Email user
eva.koljera@cesunovads.lv

Basic information
Project title
Visitor Centre of Araisi Lake Fortress

Full Project Title
Multifuncional Visitor Centre ans Exposition of Āraiši Ezerpils Archeological Park

Please provide a short, catchy description of your project to be used in communication towards the public.
Iron Age Āraiši Lake fortress has connection with Latvian folklore and it has important simbolic value nationally as well as locally It is also cultural monument of national importance. New Visitor centre and exposition of the lake fortress was expected event more than 40 years. Finally valuable artifacts have returned from capital Riga to the place they come from for exposition. They are important part of the local identity and formes routes of Latvian identity.

What was the geographical scope of your project?
National

Where was your project implemented?
Member State(s) and Western Balkans
Latvia

If relevant, insert names of region(s)/municipality(ies) involved
Cesis Municipality

Does your project address mainly urban or rural issues?
Mainly rural

Does your project refer to a physical transformation of the built environment or other types of transformations (hard or soft investments)?
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)

Has your project benefited from EU programmes and/or funds?
Yes

Which fund(s)?
ERDF : European Regional Development Fund

Here you can provide more details about the name of the specific programme, strand/action line as relevant, and the year
5.5.1. SO “Preserve, protect and develop significant culture and natural heritage and promote the services related thereto”

Has your project won an EU prize with a monetary value awarded?
No

Is your project fully completed
Yes

Please indicate a date (mm/yy)
2020-07-17

On whose behalf are you submitting the application?
As a representative of an organisation
Please provide the contact details for the project promoter (the individual or representative of the organisation authorised to represent the project)
- Name of the organisation(s): Cesis Region Municipality
  Type of organisation: Public authority (European/national/regional/local)
  First name of representative: Eva
  Last name of representative: Koljera
  Gender: Female
  Nationality: Latvia
  If relevant, please select your other nationality: Latvia
  Function: Latvian
  Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Araisi ezerpils Arheologiskais parks, Drabesu pagasts
  Town: Cēsis
  Postal code: LV4101
  Country: Latvia
  Direct Tel: +371 29 391 673
  E-mail: eva.koljera@cesunovads.lv
  Website: http://www.araisi.com
Social Media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)
- URL: https://www.facebook.com/AraisuEzerpils
  Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): #Āraiši #ezerpils #Āraišuezerpils
- Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): https://www.instagram.com/ezerpils/
In case my project is selected as a finalist of the NEB Prizes 2023, I agree to share the name (individual and/or organisation’s), email address, website and social media accounts indicated above with other NEB Prizes finalists. I also agree to publish the name (individual and/or organisation’s), website and social media accounts indicated above next to the public description of my project in the channels of the European Commission.
Yes

How did you hear about the New European Bauhaus Prizes?
New European Bauhaus or European Commission websites

Description of the project
Please provide a summary of your project.
The project is the story about the new visitor centre with exposition of Āraiši Lake Archeological Park which quickly became the focal point of local community. Its apperance made a huge difference not only locally but also nationally. The visitor centre boosts the contemporary design and approch which makes clear distinction between what is historic in the Araisi Lake Archeological Park and what represents nowdays. This gives clear message that it is possible to speak and represent historic events and facts in modern and contemporary way as long as these things are not mixed together when boarderline is not clear. Another important aspect was change of attitude towards local people creating the environment of mutual trust. They are welcome at the Visitor Centre free of charge. The Centre has adopted the attitude that it is part of the local community, not some strange, expert led institution. Local people were much involved at the work of Archeological park during excavation works and later reconstruction works during 60-ies-80ies therefore the territory of Archeological park makes important part of their identity. During these archeological excavations at the lake settlement there were found many unique artifacts representing late Iron age. They were taken and stored at the Latvian National History Museum in the capital Riga. Now, after 40 years finally some of these valuable artifacts has returned to Āraiši and displayed at the exposition and can be appriciated by general public. It makes proud the local community and impresses others.
Important aspect for the Visitor centre is also established cooperation with local school. The school children and teachers are the ones which tests new school programmes created by the Āraiši ezerpils Archeologica park. It is important that from childhood people feel conneceted with this place and feel it as its own.
Āraiši lake with its natural and cultural heritage makes strong sense of belonging for local people.

Please indicate the main themes of your project with 5 key words.
cultural heritage

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
local community

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
development

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
sustainability

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
contemporary design

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of sustainability and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
The visitor centre was planned as an educational, touristic as well as archeological research centre as well as comfortable working spaces for employees. The idea of the building was to put it in the nature, so that it blends in the surrounding environment and does not obsure the cultural landscape of the Archeological park. The building has minimal visual impact from the visitors point of view. It is almost hidden from the main road. The building has wooden construction and large glass windows which somehow connects inside with outside. The exhibition inside the building is dedicated to the 9-11th centuary's Āraiši Lake fortress, its excavation works, reconstruction and its researcher, archeologist Jānis Apals.
Materials used in exposition design partially are used second hand. Lights used in the stands are energy saving ones and are programmed to switch on and off reacting to persons' presence.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people (through design, positive emotions and cultural benefits) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
The new building of Visitor Centre had to maintain a bit of mythticism and secret of ancient days. That is achieved with dark coloured wooden facade' s boards and reflection in the large windows. The feeling is continued at the inside exhibition. The main message of the exhibition is that dream comes true. Every place is made by people. Āraiši Lake settlement is arheologist's Janis Apals dream. An experimental multi-faceted approch encourages viewers of the exposition to discover the lake fortress by themselves, promoting them to experiment, discover and use new methods and approches they have not used before. The exposition prompts viewers to be patient and relentless in the attainment of their goal. These sensetions is achieved by materials used - coloures, shapes, drawers which needs to be open, usage of magnifing glasses, mirrors, secret holes to look in etc. Sound is also important accompaniment experiencing the exposition.
The Visitor centre is like a gateway to outside territory. All complex of the Archeological park takes up 12 ha territory by the Āraišu lake. It consists of 9-11th Century Iron Age lake fortress, 14th century' s medieval castles ruines and islet where reconstructions from stone age to iron age are located. All territory is surrounded by the valuable species-rich meadows, some parts of it is of European importance. There is the setting where comteporary design, cultural heritage and nature forms harmonious environment. Visitors can find here connectedness with the nature, with the past and get inner peace.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of inclusion (ranging from accessibility and affordability for all to inclusive governing systems, design for all principles or new societal models) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
The exposition is designed to be accesable and intereseting for different audiences and generations. The reading material is structured in different levels and hights. There are special attention and activities foreseen for children.
For the people with visual impairment there is no special design inside but there are dedicated information boards in the park.
There is entrance tickets at the Āraiši ezerpils Archeological Park (5.00 EUR adults, 4.00 EUR pupils, students and pensioners) but it is free of charge for poeple with special needs. It is free of charge also for local people.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the project and civil society have been involved in the project and what has been the impact of this involvement on the project
1) Archeologist Jānis Apals discovered the lake fortress first researching the folklore materials about sunken castles. During excavations ( 1960-ies and 1970-ies) The Āraiši lake fortress presented a unique discoveries at European level: 3500 artifacts and well preserved wooden construction of the complex of the ancient Latgalians settlement. Hence there was created reconstruction of the lake fortress (1980-ies) which is 90% scientifically accurate and it is created by using experimental archeology methods. Part of the original fortress is still in the lake untouched. The idea of the visitor centre and exposition apeared already then but it had never materialized until now. Tracing the routes of nowdays Latvians they go back to ancient Latgalians. It has also related with the Latvian folklore. Hence this new exposition at the Visitor centre represents not only very needed story of the ancient history found at Āraiši lake but also it has strong connection with Latvian identity nowadays. The exposition can stimulate the sense of belonging, strenghthen Latvian identity and give the feeling of strong routes.
2) Local community has been involved in various stages of creation of the new Visitor cetre. For instance, before the exposition was put in, the local X-mas market was set up here, locals had a sneek-peak excursion when the exposition was put in, special excursion took place.

Please explain how different stakeholders at various levels (local, regional, national, European) were engaged in the design and implementation of the project. Please highlight what the added value of their engagement was.
Different stakeholders were involved during the idea generation and development stage. Such us: representatives of the local community association "Āraišu biedrība" , tourism and development department of local municipality, regional level - history experts from Cesis history and Art museum as well as arhcheologists, national level - Latvian National History Museum as well as the governing organization of national cultural monumnets Latvina Heritage Council.
Anything what is done at the Āraiši lake fortress and Archeological park has big public interest because it is unique monument of the national importance and it has also connection with latvian folklore which is important part of Latvian identity. There always are some public or expert reactions to any changes, development or state of art of this place. Involvement of different stakeholders ensures better desitions, solutions and understanding from all parties.

Please explain which disciplines and/ or knowledge fields were reflected in the design and implementation of your project. Please explain how representatives of these different fields interacted with each other, and what the added value of this process was.
There were involved large team of various professionals at the creation stage of the Visitor Centre.
Starting from the project and communial departament specialists of the local municipality till architects, designers and engineers.
Developing exposition there was set up team which involved the museum specialists, archeologist, historians, tourism and education specialists, writer, translator, illustrators, designers, IT specialists. Any Visitor center and exposition is place where different interests and sectors meet. Each professional of the team was responsible for his/her field of competence and project manager had to make sure how to combine all these different views togehter.
There were used focuss groups of different potencial audenieces like adults which are not historians, children, school.

Please give information on the results, outcomes and impacts achieved by your project in relation to the category you apply for. This includes also benefits from the project for direct and indirect beneficiaries
The Visitor centre is solving the problem of seasonality. In the past Āraiši ezerpils Archeological Park had only outdoor premises. Now it is more appealing for visitors and school groups to visit the place during the low season ( Oct-Apr) and spent time at the inside exposition, warm up after visiting outdoor objects.
The Visitor centre has solved also the problem of qualitative working space for employees with comfotable, ergonomic desks, storage space, prper light and warm rooms.
But most importantly there have been social and economic development in Āraiši village after opening Visitor centre. Three new accomdation places opened. Several sports and culture events takes places at Āraiši which brings in tourism. Now there are iniciatives from local people how to connect the Archeological park with other attractions of Āraiši to increase the tourism potential.
For local youth the Visitor centre has become the place where to have coffee and snacks since there is no local shop, cafe or similar meeting point.

Please provide documents showing the results, outcomes and impacts of your project
Web link
Web link
- https://www.lvm.lv/en/news/archive/archive-2019/4640-lvm-embassy-in-araisi-to-tell-about-the-various-options-of-using-wood
- https://www.facebook.com/AraisuEzerpils/posts/welcome-we-are-open-every-day-in-summer-season/3520207751343300/
Please highlight the innovative character of the project, when compared to mainstream actions in the field of the project
The innovative character of the project revealed in the reactions of the Visitor centre' s visitors. Coming to the small rural area and ancient history place they do not expect to find very modern building and exposition with good conteporary design and modern technologies. However the importance of such modern design goes beyond positive emotions of the visitors. The Visitor centre has prooved to be the accelerator of local economy, improved the livelihood and made inhabitants to be proud of their place. Modern design makes huge difference in rural areas. It gives hope and perspective of development.

Please describe the methodology or approach used in your project.
Development of the new Visitor centre has long history. Āraiši ezerpils Archeological park belonged to the state and was managed by the Latviana National History Museum, when by 2015 the technical state of the reconstruction of the Āraiši lake fortress became critical and it had to be partially closed for the public. The local municipality organized the two day forum "Āraiši forums" to discuss the questions how to save the lake fortress and how to develop the Archeological park. First day all experts related with this cultural heritage were invited and on the second day local community ( inhabitants, enterpreuners, church, school etc.) was invited. As the best future model was found triangle model - cooperation between state, local municipality and NGO. It was decided that the local municipality should take over the Āraiši ezerpils Archeological Park from the state and look for EU funds to develop the Visitor centre, the Ministry of Culture will provide annual subsidies for repairing the lake fortress which is the cultural monument of the national level and the Archeological park have to develop the practice of cooperation with local community making strong relationship with local NGO.
In 2017 the process of taking over the Āraiši ezerpils Archeological Park was completed. The same time the local municipality was working with development of the technical plans for the Visitor centre and preparing the project SAM 5.5.1........................ The building was completed in 2019 and the exhibition was opened in 2020.
The building received the Latvia's Annual Building Award, 2nd place and the exposition received the "Award of the Succesful export product", 2nd Place by Latvian Investment and Development Agency.
The sucessful results of the Visitor centre shows the importance of cooperation of all parties and at all levels - state, national, local. Equally important is multisectoral cooperation.

Please describe which elements of your project could be replicated or transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries and context. This may involve for example aspects of the methodology, technology, processes, products, learnings etc.
1) Forums involving all interested parties is a format how effectivly to reach the solution of some problematic situation
2) Developing something new usage of latest sustainable tehnologies, materials and investment in contemporary design even if it costs more.

Please explain what kind of global challenges the project addresses by providing local solutions
1) One of the funtions of the Visitor Centre is educational funtion. Therefore it can contribute rising awarness of the global issues, for example, such as climate change. Iron age Āraiši lake settlement have experienced the climate change during its existence. This message during generations has folkloresed in the legends about flying lakes. It is depicted at the exposition of the Visitor centre at the multimedial display. In order to acttualize this subject Archeological park organized the seminar "Do Lakes will Fly again? " which took place at the Visitor centre and online on April18, 2022. ( https://www.facebook.com/AraisuEzerpils/videos/542144263975576) This shows how local cultural heritage can serve as a trigger to open discussions dedicated to the global issues.
2) There are displayed various artifacts from organic materials at the Visitor centre found at the lake fortress excavations. Ancient people lived very close with nature, they had excellent knowleadge of how to use various natural materials, for instance plants' fibre, wood bark, clay etc. Through the artifacts at the exposition, educational programmes and ancient skill demostrations, it is posible to make the society more aware about the natural resources available around us and more efficient usage of these materials looking for the ways how to solve nowadays needs.
Please attach at least 6 high resolution images (or other types of visual representations, if images are not possible) to your application.
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Yes

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Yes

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Yes

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Yes

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By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you read and understand that the ‘Guide to Applicants’ of the NEB Prizes 2023, available online in the website of the NEB Prizes 2023, is an integral part of this application form and that it must therefore be observed when completing and submitting your application.
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