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 supports the work of the “Liiv (Livonian) Association (Līvõd Īt). This support helps the organization in its work in Riga and its regional branches in Kolka, Mazirbe, and Ventspils.
In 2024, the celebration of St. John's festivity in Mazirbe, meetings with poets and translators, the traditional Liiv Festival, and other activities are supported.
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.
Earlier, with the Foundation’s support, “Mierlinkizt” - a summer camp for kids and adolescents of Liiv origin was organized, along with the annual Liiv Festival and the Liiv Flag Festival. With the support and cooperation of partners, “The Liiv Yearbook” has been published and Finno-Ugric days in Cesis, Riga, Ventspils, and other events have been organized.
The Foundation also supported the renovation of a symbol of Livonian cultural consciousness - the Liiv People’s House in Mazirbe. The support was also provided for the improvement of the premises of the Liiv People’s House.
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).
