Daugavpils University Society for Lifelong Learning, Culture, and Science Communication “Intellect Park” has completed the implementation of the project “Let’s Experience Latvia Together” (ID No. 2024.LV/2/UKR_KO/023/L2) within the Latvian state budget-funded programme “Cultural Orientation Courses and Inclusion Activities for Ukrainian Civilians”.
The overall goal of the project is to provide cultural orientation courses and three events for 236 Ukrainian children of preschool age or of general education age (grades 1-12), fostering cooperation between Ukrainian civilians and Latvian society.
The specific goal of the project is to implement cultural orientation courses and three events focused on the practical use and teaching of the Latvian language, in order to strengthen the understanding of Ukrainian children of preschool age or of general education age (grades 1-12) of Latvia’s history, culture, and society, promoting the integration of the target audience into Latvian society and fostering cooperation with the host community.
The project implementation began on July 1, 2024, and was completed on December 31, 2024. Project leader – Dr. philol. Prof. Maija Burima.
60 Ukrainian civilians aged 11 to 18 years participated in the Latvian language courses in a remote format via the e-conferencing platform ZOOM, under the guidance of professional and experienced educators. The Latvian language skills were reinforced through the use of original teaching materials developed by the course instructors and by integrating innovative teaching methods tailored to the participants’ knowledge levels. The courses covered topics related to everyday school life, thereby promoting the integration of children and young people of general education age into the Latvian education system and society.
As part of the project, cultural orientation courses were conducted remotely via the e-conferencing platform ZOOM. The courses provided an opportunity to expand knowledge on the following topics: “Latvia’s History, Culture and Values”, “Public Administration and Rule of Law”, “Latvian Language in School and Everyday Life” and “A Journey Through the Most Beautiful Places in Latvia”. Interactive, age-appropriate teaching methods and learning support materials were used in each session, which fostered an informal and inclusive atmosphere. A personalized approach was ensured so that each meeting was eagerly anticipated, engaging, and productive.
To enhance the Latvian language proficiency and strengthen the motivation of Ukrainian civilians to use Latvian in various communicative situations, a conversational language club “I Want to Talk to You” was organized both in-person in Daugavpils and remotely using the e-conferencing platform ZOOM. During the sessions, the participants communicated and discussed the following topics: “Who are we and how do we experience Latvia?”, “In the world of professions”, “Web challenges”, “We in Latvia – our cultural experience”.
One session took place at the cinema, where the club members watched the Latvian full-length animated film “Stream” made by Gints Zilbalodis and then shared their thoughts and emotions about what they had seen. Special guests at the sessions were writers Luīze Pastore and Andra Manfelde, who shared insights about their works and engaged the children and young people in various activities that expanded their vocabulary and developed their Latvian language proficiency.
One of the club sessions was held at Daugavpils Theater, where participants had the opportunity to see the performance “The Mystery of the Red House”, based on the detective story “Is Mom at Home?” by Andra Manfelde.
In October 2024, an educational excursion “Annele and Sprīdītis’ Journey” was organized, where Ukrainian families as well as members of the host nation engaged in various activities aimed at exploring Latvia’s cultural space and traditions with elements of play in a psychologically comfortable atmosphere. In the “Dance and Movement Therapy” activity, under the guidance of an instructor, Latvian folk dance elements were learned, promoting the joy of movement and collaboration. In the “Creative Writing Therapy”, children and their family members developed communication skills and empathy, learning to express and write about their emotions and problems. In “Play Therapy”, the knowledge gained in the cultural orientation courses was reinforced, deepening the understanding of Latvia’s cultural values.
The participants of the excursion explored the cultural environment of Latgale, visiting the workshop of ceramicists Valdis and Olga Pauliņa in Krāslava, where they had the opportunity to learn about the tradition of making clay vessels in the Krāslava region and Latgale in general. They also visited the farm “Juri” in Rušona Parish, where they learned about cheese-making traditions in Latgale, the farm “Klajumi” in Kaplava Parish, which specializes in breeding Latvian horses and organic farming, and the collection of sound instruments and craftsmanship of Aleksandrs Maijers, where everyone explored ancient musical instruments and had the chance to listen to their sounds.
At the end of the excursion, the participants visited the cultural and historical sites of Krāslava, including the Plāters family castle complex, which provided an insight into the history and culture of the region.
The educational excursion was a valuable experience and an opportunity to explore Latgale and Latvia as a whole, gain positive emotions, and enhance Latvian language skills and communicative competencies. A significant benefit was the collaboration between Ukrainian civilians and the host community, which helped expand knowledge about Latvian culture and values, as well as create and strengthen friendships.
The project “Let’s Experience Latvia Together” made a significant contribution to the integration process of the target audience, fostering their understanding of Latvia’s culture, history, and societal values. The diverse activities not only helped enhance language proficiency but also strengthened the emotional connection with Latvia’s cultural space and the host community. The project results promote the successful integration of the target audience into society and expand intercultural dialogue and cooperation, which is an important contribution to building a cohesive society.
The project is financially supported by the Society Integration Fund from the allocated Latvian state budget resources.
Daugavpils University Association for Lifelong Learning, Culture, and Science Communication “Intellect Park” is responsible for the content of the project activities.
