NSLI-Y 2023 Latvia – Week 3
Greetings from sunny Riga! During Week 3 of the ACES NSLI-Y Russian program in Latvia, students took advantage of a variety of opportunities to delve deeper into the culture and history of their host country. These activities were, as always, in addition to their busy schedule of language study.
On Tuesday, students enjoyed an informative lecture on the cultural specifics of Latvian history, including its rich pagan history. Our lecturer, the director of the Museum of the Riga Ghetto and Holocaust in Latvia, shared with us the rich cultural legacy of the ethnic Latvian population going back a thousand years, as well as the tumultuous forces over that time that prevented the creation of a Latvian nation until the 20th century.
This lecture was well complemented by our next day’s excursion to the former KGB headquarters in central Riga. There, with the help of a tour guide, we learned more about the tragic history and difficult ordeals Latvian citizens faced at the hands of the Soviet secret police.
Students listening to the tour guide.
Izzie, Kim, Meera, Kaitlyn, and Fletcher viewing an exhibit.
Rose and Madison read one of the museum placards.
Students and Resident Director Peter tour the exercise yard of former Soviet prison.
Next, it was time to explore some medieval history. On Saturday, we traveled by bus to Cēsis, a town in northeast Latvia, known for its rich culture and history. Central to this trip was our visit to Cēsis Castle. While touring the castle, we learned about its importance in the Livonian War and eventual destruction at the hands of Ivan the Terrible during its siege in 1577. We also were given lanterns to explore its darkly lit halls and steep, spiraling staircases!
Nyrah, Peter, Kim, Kaitlyn, Meera, Caleb, Izzie, Jonathan, Rose, Fletcher, Sam, Madison, Kira, Eva, Destiney outside of Cēsis Castle.
Examining a relief showing the castle footprint.
Rose accepting her lantern.
Meera, Kira, Sam, and Fletcher show off their lanterns before entering the dark interior of Cēsis Castle. Nyrah, Caleb, and Jonathan also pictured.
Taking in Cēsis.
Students view an exhibit in Cēsis Castle, illuminated mainly by their lanterns.
Before heading back to Riga, we enjoyed some medieval entertainments, such as walking on stilts, at which our students excelled.
Students attempting stilt-walking. Sam in the foreground shows some success!
Kira demonstrating her mastery of medieval stilt-walking.
Despite our busy schedule this week, students still had time to relax, either with their host families or at the beach in Jūrmala.
Jonathan and his host mother took some time out to enjoy the water and boats near the bay
Sam takes a rest in his host family’s yard with his host dogs, Inter and Ariana.
Fletcher, Eva, Jonathan, and Destiney enjoy the beaches at Jūrmala.
Thanks for reading. We’ll have another update here next week!