Unusual European Cultural Heritage - The Sacred Oak Of Kunki

The blue flag of the European Cultural Heritage was waving today over this place in Stelpe Forest. Stelpians are making an attempt to set a new tradition of celebrating the Europe day in connection with the already traditional Day of Poetry.


The host of the celebration Inta Groskaufmane (foreground left in the picture) who now lives in Limbaži, has taken upon herself the responsibility for calling the people together on a Saturday in September. She told briefly the history of this place having served both as a pre-Christian and Christian worship site, but also having been a center for different cultural and even sports activities. This place could arguably be considered the origin of the ice-hockey game since different sources mention a game of sending a wooden disc into a goal with a club. Competitions of such a game have been held here as long ago as 17th century.

The ethnographic ensemble "Laukam pāri" (Accross the Field) had come for the second time already to color the event with some ancient melodies sung and played on ancient instruments. Māris Braže, a member of the group, is a metal master. He makes ancient Latvian bijouterie, and last year he had taken with him a little exhibition. This year he presented an oak-wood bugle producing a really impressive sound that echoed long in the forest. This bugle was made by Mr. Braže himself. When asked from where the idea and the know-how came, he answered that it was like something from above that he saw like a vision. The bugle when seen and, especially when heard, leaves no doubt that this man has made it with great insight and skill, and not everyone could compete with him in building this type of instrument.
Also our boys Karlis Elmer and Dag were present there, listened to the stories , watched the concert and participated in the games. In the picture, you can see them sitting on a branch of the ancient oak that has now come down and lies on the ground. A new oak has been planted on the site to mark this place as a little special one. In the lower part of the picture, you can see the Mr. Braže's bugle.
In the end, all the spectators were invited to join the dancing and games.

Stelpe Open Air Stage - Officially Opened And Consecrated

Saturday, September 4, there was the official opening of the newly built open air stage in Stelpe. The leaderships of all the communities of District Vecumnieki were present in order to congratulate stelpians with this important day.

Picture: Stelpe dancers in action on the newly opened stage
In the beginning of 90-ties, by a short-sighted decision of the then Board, Stelpe Culture House was torn down even though it was still in quite good condition. Then came the time of the major inflation with currencies changing, and nothing was built in the place. The chair of Stelpe local administration Elmārs Jukonis says that he has been often hearing the opinion of the villagers that a place for gathering and activities is needed here.

The chair of the Board of District Vecumnieki (Vecumnieku novada Dome) Rihards Melgailis opens the stage by cutting a symbolic ribbon

Minister of Vecumnieki church (Vecumnieku baznīca) Juris Morics consecrates the stage in the name of Father, Son and the Holy Ghost.
The first performance on our stage - a song by teachers and dedicated amateur artists Iveta Grantiņa and Inese Freiberga
The author of the grant application for the construction of the stage, Kristīne Rulle (with guitar) and her helpers Inga Polika (foreground left) and Karīna Dzenīte singing a three-voice version of a popular song.
View on the spectator seats
Skaistkalne Brass Orchestra (Skaistkalnes pūtēju orķestris) under the conduct of Jānis Kalniņš, a dedicated musician and member of Vecumnieki District Board (Vecumnieku novada Dome).
Stelpe theater performed a comedy Trīnes Grēki (Trine the Mischief Maker) by Latvian classic playwright Rudolfs Blaumanis. The head teacher of Stelpe School (Stelpes skola) Dagmāra Venclova as Trine, and Jānis Klāviņš as Abram the Jew.
After the concert and theater, there was a dancing party until 2 A.M.

A Penny Bun Year

 
Wherever we step into Stelpe Forest, there are penny buns, the Latvian N0. 1 mushroom. Sandra got today about 20 kg as a gift from a friend.

If you have penny buns, you don't need any meat. They can be used in different dishes and be a good support for the winter time.

In this picture, you can see a small part of the gift being still large enough to fill the bowl in which we otherwise wash our boys.


Here you see some of them cleaned

Karlis Elmer eating bread with penny bun sauce