For the seventh time in Jelgava, the Vecpilsētas Street Festival is celebrated / Article / LSM.lv

Today, 6:28 p.m.

Authors:
Zemgale regional television

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On September 12, the Old Town Street Festival is celebrated for the seventh time in Jelgava. The idea for such a tradition arose seven years ago for a group of residents who wanted to merge the historical breath with visions of the future and change the image of the ancient part of the city. Today, Jelgava residents admit that, although perhaps not as fast as they would like, the Old Town is reborn and becomes a favorite place for walks.

With a fragment from Kocebu’s play “The Lonely Fair”, which was translated into Latvian in 1863, the theater began in Jelgava and the Vecpilsētas Street Festival begins today.

Vecpilsētas Street can be found on the maps of Jelgava already in the 17th century and is the only corner that has survived after the Second World War. Although several buildings have been granted the status of an architectural monument of national significance, for a long time the small street, in the words of the ancient Jelgava residents, was nonexistent.

“What these slums were, it seems to me that if a good man swelled his finger, everything would fall apart. That’s how it was, but look what’s there now,” says Lilita from Jelgava.

One of the first prospects for the old quarter was seen by the owners of the cafe “Pie mednieka”, who already in 2006 dared to start their business here.

“Without us, there was only the hairdresser” Edīte “and everything. Now the 14th house has been repaired, thanks to the council that everything is in order and there are no more fights and manure here,” says Zhanna Nedaškovska, the hostess of the cafe “Pie mednieka”.

For seven years now, the breath of history has been closely intertwined with the vision of the future, and looking back at what has been done this year invites the Old Town Festival. Today, for the first time, the renovated craft center opened its doors to visitors.

“The restoration center has been renovated. Many private houses have been tidied up, the territory and the whole area have been tidied up.

“If I have to choose a route to go, I am happy to choose this street, and there are not many places in Jelgava where the breath of history is still alive, but it is definitely here,” admits the director of the Jelgava Latvian Society Theater Aija Treija.

No one knows what the future of Vecpilsētas Street will look like today, but there is hope that one day it will shine in all its glory, and each renovated building is a step closer to it.

The motto “The word has power” celebrates the Old Town Street Festival. This time, Jelgava residents and city guests watched poetry, theater and music performances on the festival stage, children were interested in creative workshops, and everyone was welcomed in the building at 14 Vecpilsētas Street.

More: https://t.co/zKcx1OwneK pic.twitter.com/T3VSmPlN3f

– Jelgava (@JelgavaLV) September 12, 2020

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