On April 16, 2025, the third case study “Learn from Ancestors to be Open and Self-Confident in the Future!” workshop was held in Daugavpils Secondary School of Opportunities for the development of pupils’ cultural understanding, creative self-expression and critical thinking skills within the framework of the “Horizon Europe” project “The Value of Cultural Literacy in Europe” (CLiViE). The aim of the case study is to find out how creative collaboration in craft workshops, led by professionals, can expand pupils’ knowledge of traditional Latvian crafts and cultural values, as well as promote their interactive skills and respect for the “other”. To achieve the goal of the case study, in close cooperation with the school management and teaching staff, the 5th-grade pupils were selected as the object of research, which corresponds to the age group “10–13 years” and is distinguished by its multinational composition.

The third case study workshop, led by Lelde Kundziņa – a painter and visual arts teacher at Daugavpils Opportunities Secondary School – focused on the creation of animal masks. To begin with, the pupils were given a presentation on the masking tradition, a practice deeply rooted in Latvian heritage and dating back to ancient times. Kundziņa explained that masking is one of the oldest Latvian customs, typically observed from late autumn through to spring, reaching its peak during the winter solstice. Various materials were used to make masks that were available to people in mundane life and which were no longer needed for practical purposes. The workshop leader highlighted the cultural significance of masks, noting that they were believed to bring fertility and blessings while warding off evil spirits. She showcased traditional Meteņi masks in a dedicated part of the presentation. Concluding her presentation, Kundziņa invited the pupils to get creative and craft their own masks. The children actively participated in the creative process and demonstrated their homemade masks at the end of the session. The most popular animal choices for the masks were the fox and the wolf, though some pupils also created deer masks.

The case study leader, Dr. philol. Oksana Kovzele, a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences of Daugavpils University, participated in the workshop and observed its progress.

CLiViE webside: https://www.clivieproject.eu

The project has received funding from the European Union’s “Horizon Europe” Research and Innovation programme under the grant agreement No. 101132285.

Further information:
Daugavpils University senior researcher, Dr. philol. Oksana Kovzele
oksana.kovzele@du.lv

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Photo: Oksana Kovzele