Here is a Tapestry done by my very dear Aunt/Tantin and Godmother/Krustmate...Dieves Sveti Latviju....translated to God Bless Latvia...
so what does this have to do with this post...
Yesterday I received a parcel from Latvia...Paste no Latvija from my very dear/mila Cousin/Macica Dagnija...
Dagnija has been reading my blog over in Latvia and has sent me this absolutely gorgeous linen apron/prieksauts...
along with some woven linen...
and the well known Laima chocolate/sokolade...Absolutely gorgeous gifts Dagnija...I will put them all to good use!!!
Daudz Daudz paldies mila Dagnija...
Many many thanks dear Dagnija...
A few weeks ago my very dear Friend Georgina sent me a postcard from Paris...Georgina was there last month and promised to purchase me a gift for my birthday...all the way from Paris...
This beaut little cheese grater...the grater actually comes out of the pack and the Eiffel Tower can be used as a frame...or I think it could be left there and hung up...
And the biggest surprise from Georgina...a brooch from Riga...the capital of Latvia/Latvija!!!
Thank you Dear Friend Georgina...
Daudz paldies draudzene Dzordzina!!!
So...what do Riga and Paris have in common...Riga has been called 'The Paris of the Baltics'...Pic is of old Riga/Vec Riga...
Old Riga is, as its name suggests, the most ancient part of the city. It covers the area upon which the old Livonian and Courlandian settlements were found in the 11th and 12th centuries. Beginning in the 13th century, the site became a fortified Medieval city-fortress, one which was gradually enlarged as the decades passed. As was typical for European cities of the same age, Riga was built around a central square, with castles for the feudal overlords - The Archbishop of Riga and the Livonian Order of Knights - churches and cloisters, guilds for tradesmen and craftsmen, and narrow winding streets along wich residential homes were located.
Riga has a rich history with the name appearing in historical chronicles for the first time in 1198 and the town of Riga was founded in 1201
Text Riga Celvedis Guide, Jumava
Timber features heavily in the Latvian culture...with amber/dzintars jewellery very predominant...Dzintra is the feminine form which is my Latvian name which I have recently started to use... pronounced without the D...but in actual Latvian it is a soft dzzz sound, which the Greek language recognizes and says beautifully...just thought I'd throw that in...
and of course still known as Ingrid!!!
There is even a song...Pie Dzintara Juras...translated By The Amber Sea...or as I like to think of it...Dzintra by the Sea!!!
The beautiful St Peters Church/Sv. Petera Baznica
The beautiful St Peters Church/Sv. Petera Baznica
Hand carved timber lady holding an amber/dzintarsLatvians have many Culture Days/Kulturas Dienas...
One of which is the Song Festival/Janu Diena...A Midsummer Festival held in June...a huge event!!!
Here in Australia there are Latvian Halls...one in Sydney and one in Adelaide...most capital cities here do have these Halls...
Round bowls which can be used for jewellery (in front)...Latvian dollies wearing National Costume/Tautas Starpa...candle holder in the background...This post has inspired me to do a post on Latvia/Latvija which I will do in a little while...
And to Dagnija who has asked how to comment:
Hit Translate button
Hit comments under this post
A box will appear
Hit yes
Put comment in box
Hit anonymous...
Hope this works for you...
I hope you have enjoyed this little post on Riga...Dzintra♥
~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile...I have been lucky enough to have met Vicki over in California in the United States of America and we have decided to do some cook ups together from the Donna Hay magazine which she has been lucky enough to find over there.
If you get a chance check out Vicki's delightful blog and see what she has been up to...while I prepare my meal. This is going to be fun Vicki...
Stay tuned...
18 comments:
How marvellous! So many wonderful things and I've learnt some Latvian as well! I delight in learning the meaning of people's names and amber is of course a precious object of the ancients.
Happy Stitching...Ann :)
Oh what lovely things you received!
What "a haul," as might be said. :-)))
'Aunt Amelia'
What a pretty display, reminding you of your roots. It was lovely to learn more about your country of origin. I love your little cheese grater, what a pretty gift! Kath x
What unique treasures you have received. I enjoy visiting your blog so very much. Thanks for the great photos and the history. Have a wonderful weekend.
Such lovely presents! You have a lovely collection of keepsakes there too.
That cheese grater rocks! :o)
What an interesting post! They do such beautiful embroideries and crochet work in that part of the world. And those wood carvings are superb. Love the Eiffel Tower cheese grater...very cute!
Catherine
HOWWWW...totally totally gorgeous all these goodies are..
LUCKY YOU! would love to be able to have some influence from relatives from overseas...!! but..mine are all 6th gen aussies...soo not much overseas input there!! maybe byron with his japanese studies?? friends??
and I MUST say...i can just sit here for ages listening to your music behind your blog...
MMM...wish i knew how to do all that kind of stuff..(Music/sidebars)//
PLUS i still havent changed my sidebar to put your correct address in!! this is my project for this weekend...shall prob take me all weekend to work out what to do..!
take care...xxx andrea
Hello! What beautiful gifts you have received! Oh how I wish I could travel more...I would love to see your city version of Paris! I love the art and the little cheese grater! Have a marvelous day!Anita
Oh gosh I'm slow Dzintra, but I didn't realise you are Latvian! My favourite teacher at High School was my English teacher Mrs. Pukitis, a petite, stylish & beautiful Latvian lady. She taught me to love the written word & all these years later I'm so grateful to her for the precious gift she gave me. Riga looks wonderful, so ancient & interesting.
Millie ^_^
Hey, what gorgeous gifts you have received on your birthday! I don't mind a birthday like that. Georgina is keeping her word to bring you present from Paris. Hope she brought mine from there too. Mine is in August LOL - Love from Nat♥♥♥
LOL, sadly that can't be me can it, Dzintra! Lovely goodies, xv.
Dzintra, What a great post! I loved all the history you gave. What great connections to you Latvian roots! When I first met you via blogging and saw your name in print... I have to smugly say that I guessed it was pronounced with that dzzz sound to it! I was right! Yippee! (:
Thank you for your comments on my blog. Can't wait to see your menu from Donna Hay mag.
Happy cooking... xxxVicki
All are lovely Dzintra. A great informative post!
Hugs Annabelle
Wow, Dzintra, so much to show and so much to share! How special to receive all those beautiful items from Latvia. I know they mean so much to you!
And that sounds great, your cooking together overseas with Vicki!
I loved the post, and learned so much!
Wonderful!
Micki
Amazing gifts!!!!!!! :) Your post is so great, but it made me a bit sad as well, because I miss Latvija.
Thanks for sharing :)
Bonjour! Thanks for visiting! Yes, I have spring on my mind and can't wait to get started planting! How are things down under? Take care, Anita
Somehow I have always associated Latvia with Santa Claus. Is it not the land of the reindeer? And the bright cheery colours that they work into their embroidery and wonderful crafts.
I shall visit this charming blog you write of and enjoy the wonderment of its beautiful culture.
Hope all is well down under and you are enjoying the season of Autumn.
xo Susan
Post a Comment