On 5 September 2026, the educational excursion for families “Military Security: Past and Present”, organised by the Daugavpils University Society for Lifelong Learning, Culture, and Science Communication “Park of Intellect”, took place in Daugavpils and Medumi. During the excursion, families explored the region’s military heritage sites, deepening their understanding of civil security and national defence issues during different historical periods in the territory of Latvia and connecting historical experience with contemporary security challenges.
The first stop of the excursion was Daugavpils Fortress, where families, guided by Igors Kovaļovs, learned about its history and the defensive solutions used there during different periods. The tour covered the construction of the fortress in the 19th century in preparation for the war against Napoleon, the stationing of Latvian Army units there in the 1920s and 1930s, as well as the role of the fortress in preserving military heritage today. The guide supplemented the historical facts with lesser-known stories, sparking the interest of the younger participants as well. A special touch to the visit was provided by an encounter with one of the fortress residents – Felix the cat.
The excursion continued with a visit to the Daugavpils Lead Shot Factory, established in the 1880s. It is the only ammunition production factory in the Baltic States open to tourists and is home to the oldest still-functioning shot-casting tower in Europe. While learning about the history of production, participants also explored safety requirements in ammunition manufacturing and how these have changed alongside developments in working environments and technology. Both children and adults had an opportunity to try target shooting and test their accuracy.
At the First World War Museum in Medumi, participants were welcomed by guide Miropija Petkune dressed as a wartime nurse. Her account highlighted the safety and survival challenges of the period, while the interactive exhibition allowed participants to experience historical evidence at close range. Participants were able to handle a First World War-era weapon and examine other objects from the period. Realistically recreated trenches helped them imagine the everyday lives of soldiers and the conditions at the front, while their impressions of the museum were further enhanced by a scene from the feature film “Dvēseļu putenis”, which helped convey the harsh reality of wartime and highlighted the importance of peace and security today.
During the excursion, participants also had an opportunity to reinforce the knowledge they had acquired through practical activities. Families learned the basic principles of navigation and how to use a compass, explored different types of shelters and the principles for choosing a suitable place of refuge, and learned how to prepare a 72-hour emergency bag by assessing which items should be included and how they could be used in practice. These activities helped connect the knowledge gained during the excursion with practical action and improve participants’ preparedness for various emergency situations.
The educational excursion concluded with the discussion “Safety Through the Twists and Turns of History”, during which participants shared their observations and reflections on civil security and national defence. By discussing what they had seen, learned, and tried in practice throughout the day, families connected historical experience with contemporary security challenges and considered how the knowledge they had acquired could be applied in everyday life and in emergency situations.
The event was organised within the framework of the project “A Guide to Family Safety and Resilience”, No. 2026.LV/ĢDV/044. The event is funded by the European Union and took place within the framework of the European Social Fund Plus project “Development of a Family-Friendly Environment and Society”, Project No. 4.3.6.9/1/24/I/001.
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