With the European Regional Development Fund funding attracted by the Ministry of Culture (MC)*, in the coming years, 5 unique cultural monuments of national importance will be preserved and developed in the Historic Center of Riga, which are located in the territory included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in the Historic Center of Riga – the exhibition hall “Arsenāls,” the Great Guild Hall, the infrastructure of Vaļņu Street, Theatre Square and related streets, Daugava gāte, and the established expositions of the Latvian National Museum of History in Riga Castle. Video of the 5 sites.
With the attracted ERDF investments - 36.7 million euros - it is planned to arrange and develop these sites, promoting their accessibility and expanding innovative use to improve the quality of life of society, and strengthen the community of local residents.
Cultural and historical heritage is a significant asset of Latvia, therefore it is especially important that we can find funds not only for its restoration, but also to ensure that after the completion of the projects, the entire Latvian society and the cultural sector as a whole will be the beneficiaries. And it is very important that by implementing these projects, we also preserve the unique values of all five sites, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List,” said Minister of Culture Agnese Lāce at the program’s opening ceremony.
Signe Groza, Economic Advisor at the European Commission Representation in Latvia: “European Union funding provides an opportunity not only to restore cultural and historical buildings, but also to develop new cultural services and tourism potential. It is important that cultural objects are both aesthetic and accessible and make a real contribution to the growth of the local economy, attracting visitors and creating new jobs. In addition to the European Regional Development Fund funding for these projects, funding from the European Recovery Fund is provided for improving the energy efficiency of cultural and historical buildings. By preserving and restoring Latvia’s cultural heritage, we keep our common history, as well as the values of Latvia and Europe, alive."
“Projects that restore cultural and historical heritage are always special, and it is impossible to implement them without a sense of mission. They require care, devotion, precision and patience. However, when the great work is over, these projects are definitely noticed, respected and also appreciated – by society, fellow citizens who will use both the environment given a new breath and the newly created opportunities,” Anita Krūmiņa, Director of the Central Finance and Contracts Agency.
Director of the Latvian National Museum of Art Māra Lāce: “The renovation project of the “Arsenāls” exhibition hall will ultimately be a direct testament to the idea and purpose of the European Regional Development Fund program, as during the renovation the site will become accessible and will be used to improve the quality of life of society, making a significant contribution to the development of the visual arts infrastructure of Riga and Latvia. I would like to state that the renovated building, in which care for historical heritage will exist in dynamic interaction with the creative power, vitality and contemporaneity of artistic creativity, will be a benefit to artists, resident communities, city guests and society as a whole. The artists’ expectations are very high! The employees of the Latvian National Museum of Art have already begun developing an operational program, which we could begin implementing at the end of 2027.”
“The Great Guild, along with several other cultural and historical heritage sites, has undergone an urgently needed and long-awaited renovation. Over the course of several years, the renovation project by architect Zana Koroļa was developed with care and respect for the historical building in collaboration with specialists from the State Real Estate. The task was extremely complex – to create an infrastructure in the building that meets modern requirements, including two elevators, to ensure the sound insulation and thermal efficiency of the large, historical windows, etc. And the necessary renovation works for the high-quality functioning of the concert hall itself – replacing the chairs, obtaining additional spectator seats, as well as a specific renovation to improve the acoustics of the hall. We hope for an excellent result when we return to the Great Guild Concert Hall in 2026, on the centenary of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra!” emphasizes Indra Lūkina, director of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra.
Director of the Latvian National Museum of History Arnis Radiņš: “After reconstruction work in one of its buildings, the Riga Castle convient (castellum) has regained a number of the most beautiful palace rooms. In the coming years, new exhibitions will be created in the castle so that the Latvian National Museum of History can tell the story of Latvia's history in the renovated environment. A children's classroom is already being built, the content of the new exhibitions, design and technical projects have been created, and with ERDF co-financing, the content-significant and visually impressive exhibitions “Livonian Castles” and “Streaming Time” will be built in the coming years, which will depict 12 millennia of Latvian history. This will be an important benefit for both the people of Latvia and foreign tourists.”
“In order to develop the public outdoor space of the Old Town of Riga, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Riga Municipality will reconstruct the infrastructure of Vaļņu Street, Theatre Square and related streets by the end of 2029, improving, developing and creating a pedestrian-friendly street space in the Old Town,” says Inese Andersone, Chairwoman of the Riga City Council City Development Committee, explaining that the project involves reconstructing engineering networks, installing improvement elements, as well as improving pedestrian safety through traffic organization. Inese Andersone, Chairwoman of the Riga City Council City Development Committee, explains: “This project is an important step towards making the Old Town attractive to tourists, residents and entrepreneurs, so that everyone can walk the main part of the Old Town according to their abilities. It will be a challenging task, as it is important to preserve the cultural and historical landscape of the Old Town, preserving and restoring the protected areas of buildings, and it is also planned to restore the underground utilities during the project. Vaļņu Street has long needed changes, and our goal is to turn it into a high-quality and modern pedestrian street that would meet the European principles of a high-quality urban environment. These are investments in the future that will attract people to the Old Town and promote entrepreneurship.”
“State Real Estate” board member Jeļena Gavrilova: "SRE, successfully cooperating with the European Union funds support program, implements significant cultural heritage preservation projects, which are carefully planned and implemented in accordance with the established deadlines and amounts of funds. The Great Guild, “Arsenāls” and Daugavas gāte projects are a good example of effective resource management, where meeting deadlines and proportionality of the funds used are priorities. For example, the Daugavas gāte and forecourt square construction project at Riga Castle provides for improved rainwater drainage, preservation of the historical walls of the castle and modern facade lighting, making the castle surroundings more accessible and attractive to all visitors and strengthening its role as an important cultural center."
*- The Ministry of Culture as the responsible authority for the EU funds 2021-2027. ERDF 5.1.1. Specific support objective "Promotion of integrated social, economic and environmental development of local territories and cultural heritage, tourism and safety in urban functional areas" 5.1.1.5. programme "Renovation of unique European cultural heritage to promote their accessibility by developing cultural services."
Additional information:
Lita Kokale,
Head of the Public Relations Division, Ministry of Culture
(+ 371) 26469946
Lita.Kokale@km.gov.lv
(Translated with the help of DeepL Translate)
