Reflecting its concern for the preservation and continuation of the unique culture and traditions of Liiv (Livonian) people, from 2014 the Boris and Ināra Teterev Foundation supported the work of the “Liiv (Livonian) Association (Līvõd Īt). This support helped the organization in its work in Riga and its regional branches in Kolka, Mazirbe, and Ventspils.
Over the past several years, with the foundation’s co-support, the “Livonian Yearbook” has been prepared, the children’s summer school “Mierlinkizt” has been organized, and Finno-Ugric Days have been held in Cēsis, Riga, and Ventspils, along with other events. With the foundation’s co-financing, the renovation of the community house took place, and support was provided for improving and upgrading the premises and their facilities. Support was also given to the centenary events of the Livonian Union in 2023, as well as to the activities that followed in 2024 and 2025.
In 2023, the events of the centenary of the Liiv Association were supported. It was the year of the Livonian heritage, where the most important events were the grand concert dedicated to the centenary of the Liiv Association in April, the traditional Liiv festival in Mazirbe in August, and the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Liiv flag in November.
In 2024, the celebration of St. John's festivity in Mazirbe, meetings with poets and translators, the traditional Liiv Festival, and other activities were supported.
Ieva Ernštreite receives the Badge of Honour. Photo: Inese Dāvidsone
On 22 March 2025, at the general meeting of the "Liiv (Livonian) Association (Līvõd Īt)" held in Mazirbe at the Livonian People’s House, the Chair of the Board, Ieva Ernštreite, was presented with the highest award of the Boris and Ināra Teterev Foundation - Badge of Honour. The award was given in recognition of her selfless contribution to the life of the Livonian community and her long-standing work in promoting the preservation of cultural heritage and its transmission to future generations.
About the Liiv People’s House
The Liiv People’s House was officially opened on 6 August 1939. Even though the building was built in just under a year, preparations for its construction were complicated and time-consuming, because the involvement of four people: the Finns, Latvians, Estonians, and Hungarians was needed to collect the required funds.
The Liiv People’s House was envisaged as a gathering and educational center, and, according to Estonian folklorist Oskar Loorits, as “the cradle of the Liiv people”.
Plaques in five languages near the entrance to the building bear the following message: “This building was built by the Livonians with the help of their fatherland Latvia and that of their kinfolk, the Finns, Estonians, and Hungarians”, once again affirming the unity of these peoples and their support for the preservation of Liiv culture.
The opening of the Liiv People’s House, in August 6, 1939
L
isteners to “Kultūras rondo” can learn about Liiv traditions in a conversation with the Head of the Liiv Association, Ieva Ērnštreite (in Latvian).
