Festival by the lake: Part I

For the second time there was a festival happening in the middle of my nowhere by the lake. It is quite impressive how this area has turned into attraction for summer camps, professional athletes, nature enthusiasts and local merchants. At first I was skeptical about their whereabouts in my peaceful haven. I was worried that they would attract wrong crowds, that would simply trash the area and encourage more drinking. Luckily people seem to be respectful of the nature and appreciate its beauty while enjoying the festival activities at the same time.

So what was this festival about? It was about leisurely enjoying nature, crafts by local artists such as pottery and ceramics, food, art, paddle boarding, kayaking, boat rides, volleyball, sunbathing on the beach and swimming, beer and wine and music. Free entrance for all, big or small, or four legged. For me it embodies the slogan Latvian tourism uses Latvia - best enjoyed slowly.



It all started with local beer company who sells beer during summers by the lake, active tourism company who sells paddle board, kayak, boat rides and local ceramics center. It is perfect example of how people/companies working together can create cool things and events for everyone to appreciate and breathe in life in places.

Pottery and ceramic traditions in Latvia are strong (it is one of the oldest art forms in Latvia) and is quite famous around the world as well. To get the idea of how it looks when done by pottery masters in Latgale (it is where the traditions are the kept the strongest) you can have a look at this picture I took when I was on pottery tour I organized for myself when I was a student some time ago.

Masters from the local ceramics center and other nearby areas offered lessons for everyone all day long, using different tools even trying out banding wheel. So I was really happy to get my hands dirty and for a chance to create something out of clay myself. The coolest part - after a month everyone can go visit them at the center and pick up their creations.



When you work with clay outside, you have to work very fast, because it dries quite quickly. It certainly takes some mastery and practice to get it right. Even if you work without the banding wheel, it is important that all the edges are more or less even and there are no air pockets in the clay. That way there are less chances of it breaking apart in the oven or fire pit when the heat is applied.

Water or gemstones can be used to smooth and even everything out. It makes pots, bowls or mugs to truly shine. For ornaments one can use various professional tools or be more creative and grab whatever can be found in the nature to keep it fun and original. For example, tree branches can be used to press ornaments in the clay. That is how it was done back in the old days anyway.