Dedovichi, Russia, met the European Cooperation Day - 2014 with bread-and-salt, planted oak tree and opened Cultural Heritage Centre

On 25 September the second ECDay event took place in Dedovichi, Russia with the opening of the Cultural Heritage Centre co-organized by the Estonia-Latvia-Russia Programme 2007-2013 and the Project “Preserve not to lose”.

Participants of the event were greeted by collective of singers “Ivushka” and local crafts masters in traditional folk costumes who offered bread-and-salt welcome treat to dear guests.

 

 

The opening ceremony was complemented by introduction of two information stands and tourism map to the guests of the event from Latvia and other municipalities of Pskov Region as well as to local inhabitants. The map and stands will attract attention to the sights and memorable places of Dedovichi District. Only two of the most notable historic buildings are described there now – Knjazhjy Gorki manor and the church of Prophet Elijah but the initiative will be taken up by the Cultural Heritage Centre, and information about other architectural and historic monuments will be introduced with such info-stands in beautiful small recreation park near the Cultural Centre also created within the Project.

 

 

The ceremony was finalized with tree planting which became traditional for the Programme ECDay events. This time a young oak tree was chosen for planting. Partner municipalities of Dedovichi – Sangaste and Balvi both have grand old oak trees, witnesses of the history of each place, beloved and preserved by local people. It was decided that Dedovichi also should have such oak near the Cultural Centre which will guard tangible and intangible heritage and symbolize strong partnership and friendly ties between Estonian, Latvian and Russian partners.

 

 

Participants of the event were also introduced with examples of local traditional crafts which will be later on included into the expositions of Cultural Heritage Centre. The Programme contributed to the capacity of the Centre to arrange temporary mobile expositions in villages of Dedovichi District and fairs of handicraft works by presenting to the Centre's exposition lattices and show-cases. During the ECDay all participants could see them in use.

 

Craftsmen and folklore collectives of Dedovichi will keep nice memories of the day being awarded certificates for the participation in the project and cozy ECDay souvenirs - warm wests, tea cups and umbrellas. The event was all the more pleasant as it was supported by Latvian partners of the project from Balvi, who brought their congratulations to the opening of the Cultural Heritage Centre, warm wishes and  traditional bread of Latgale.

The next grand occasion which will join all project partners and representatives of the Programme again will be final ECDay-2014 event of the Programme in Balvi, Latvia, on 30 September where permanent and digital expositions of newly reconstructed Balvi Museum as well as travelling exhibition "From Rye to Bread" will be introduced.

The first of the ECDay actions of the Programme of this year is reported here.

See more pictures in the Gallery of the event. Photos in the gallery and news are by Vineta Snore and Anna Filatova