The 16th Ērberģe Manor Festival: a Journey Theme

On 25 July, people from near and far gathered at Ērberģe Manor to celebrate the Ērberģe Manor Festival for the sixteenth time.

This year’s motto was “The People of Ērberģe Travel”. The celebration was opened by Lady Marī, the Blue Lady and the Little Witch; Baron Hahn was absent because he had gone travelling. Participants were invited to view travel souvenirs brought home by local people in the Fireplace Hall and mark on a map the countries they had visited. They could then try activity stations inspired by journeys: an imitation of Spanish bullfighting, traditional Norwegian skiing contests, English cheese rolling, the French game pétanque, a Greek labyrinth, and a contest for the opportunity to take part in Lithuania’s traditional Walpurgis Night festivities. Mazzalves Tourism Information Point manager Silvija Lisovska invited visitors to discover Ērberģe Manor’s history at an interactive display and travel around Aizkraukle Municipality using digital glasses.

After the activities, everyone gathered at the manor’s open-air stage to award the winners of each country-themed attraction. The programme continued with a wonderful concert by the French–Latvian electrofolk duo “Viņš un Viņa” and the women’s unconventional dance group “Harmonija” from Lielvārde.

As is tradition, the Manor’s Little Witch served everyone her witch’s soup, followed by a dance party with the band “Starpbrīdis” until dawn.

Žanna Miezīte, Mazzalves Community Centre Manager

Source: Mazzalves Primary School