European Cultural Heritage 2009 Day in Stelpe

Great sunny day for the people to come together, remember traditional songs and dances, think of the roots both those of the families and those of the whole nation.

There is a remarkable oak in Stelpe - The Kunku (Ty-oo-n-ty-oo) Oak. Having stood there for about five centuries and reached good 23 ft girth, it is now lying on the ground. The glade around the oak has served as a place for celebrations and even as an open-air church. Now this spot has been included in the list of the European Cultural Heritage objects.

The owner of the place Inta Groskaufmane has done a profound research both on the use of the spot all through the centuries and on her own family roots. She has traced her family record back to 1497 when a young man Kioonkio from Finland had settled here discontinuing his journey to Rome which he had started together with many other people from his homeland. A nice local girl has been the reason for this decision. But the very trip to Rome had begun due to the influence of Rome's messengers sent all around the Europe to tell people about the might and abundance of the then Empire. So the people were traveling there to see it by their own eyes. Also the possibility to buy the Pardon directly from the Pope was something for them to take into consideration.

People from outside Stelpe had come to the celebration on September 20. Since this year Stelpe and Vecumnieki communities have been joined into one administrative unit, a group of Vecumnieki people had come to Stelpe to meet their neighbors and see the places of interest. They joined happily the common singing and dancing on the gathering by the oak.


The flag of the European Cultural Heritage was flown over the place
Mrs. Inta Groskaufmane telling her story

Sabine Mikalone, Samanta Struberga, Safar and Aleksandra Hadzimoratov playing and singing for the guests

A traditional music group led the singing that many guests joined in

A small exibition of the earlier times jewelry, set up by the members of the music group

A few commemorative moments in the cemetery where the parents of Latvian playwright and poet Rainis lies burried. Rainis, probably the most famous of the Latvian poets, has his roots in Stelpe. There is still a barn on the site where once there was his father's house.

Finally, the owner of Piladzi motocross track Erik Piladzis (in the middle, green shirt) shows the track to the visitors and speaks about his vision of the development of the track.