At its meeting on June 4, the Government reviewed the conceptual report submitted by the Ministry of Culture (MC)* and supported the creation of a cultural and documentary heritage storage complex, which will house the Vidzeme Regional Centre of the National Archives of Latvia (NAL), the Cēsis History and Art Museum repository, and the Vidzeme Regional Administration Archive of the State Land Service (SLS). By investing European Union (EU) funds attracted by the MC and Cēsis Municipality, the complex is planned to be built in Cēsis by the end of 2027.
The construction of a new archive storage complex is necessary because the technical condition of the infrastructure used by the NAL in the Vidzeme region – in Valmiera, Cēsis, Alūksne and Madona – is assessed as critical. Investments in real estate construction are provided for by the concept for the development of archives infrastructure approved by the Government at the end of 2020. It is expected that the newly built complex will become a unique public sector cooperation project, the implementation of which involves the Cēsis Municipality, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Culture.
Having evaluated the plan to establish the NAL Vidzeme regional center in Cēsis and the construction of a new building appropriate for the archival function, the Cēsis municipality has expressed a cooperation proposal for the construction of a joint building, also addressing the needs of the Cēsis History and Art Museum repository. The technical condition of the infrastructure used for the storage of the Ministry of Justice’s subordinate institution – the SLS Vidzeme Regional Administration, the ownership of the property and the fragmentation of the archives are currently assessed as unsuitable for the further development of the process of archival modernization, development and document digitization, therefore a decision has been made that the new Vidzeme collection storage building in Cēsis will house the collections of the NAL, the museum and the SLS, so that each institution can fully implement its assigned functions.
The unified complex will provide the opportunity to preserve the national documentary heritage and the National Museum collection in accordance with microclimate and security requirements. The complex will have the necessary conditions for conducting research work, servicing visitors and researchers, including convenient access for persons with special needs, as well as a working environment appropriate to professional specifics, alternative energy sources and other sustainable solutions.
An undeveloped plot of land owned by the municipality in Cēsis, Rīgas iela 78, has been selected for the construction of the complex. The main networks necessary for the construction of the complex are located nearby. The total storage complex, with an area of 7,172 m2, will optimally use the premises, adapting them to the needs of three institutions – a unified visitor center, an exhibition hall, a room for seminars and training, as well as a common landscaped area and parking for both employees and visitors.
The total project implementation costs are planned to be 18,033,638 euros. Of this, MC has attracted 8,207,243 euros from the EU fund program for the development of regional cultural infrastructure and improving the accessibility of cultural services, while the Cēsis municipality has been invited to apply as a project applicant.
The remaining financing is planned to be covered from the Cēsis municipality's loan in accordance with the decision of the Cēsis municipality council.
* Conceptual report “On the establishment of the Vidzeme Regional Centre of the National Archives of Latvia, the Cēsis History and Art Museum repositories and the Central Archive of the Vidzeme Regional Department of the State Land Service in Cēsis”
Information prepared by:
Dace Vizule,
Public Relations Specialist, Ministry of Culture
29192298
Dace.Vizule@km.gov.lv
(Translated with the help of DeepL Translate)
