As part of the Historical Parks and Gardens Days initiated by the Latvian Association of Castles and Manors, the fifth Garden Festival will take place at Dobele Castle on July 5th. It has become an annual tradition and is one of the most beautiful summer events at Dobele Castle.
Significant cleaning and landscaping work will take place in the garden area of Dobele Castle. This time, the garden festival will move to the castle courtyard, where we will create an enchanting garden atmosphere and celebrate another anniversary: the 40th anniversary of the Dobele District Museum, which was founded in 1985.
This year, the Historical Parks and Gardens Days highlight the grandest and most unique plantings. Dobele Castle is a place where peaches and figs have been growing since the 17th century, and in Duchess Elisabeth Magdalene's herb garden, various plants thrived for her herbal studies. In the 21st century, we honor and continue these traditions. One of the castle's prides is the grandest lilac, which grows near the castle entrance, possibly one of the oldest lilac plantings in Latvia. It is very likely that it was planted by Pastor August Bielenstein at the end of the 19th century.
We will start the festive day by congratulating the Dobele District Museum on its 40th anniversary: with speeches and well-wishes from guests, as well as percussion from the Nils Īle Music Studio. The musical enjoyment will also be provided by the owner of a wonderful voice, songwriter Ilze Rijniece, and at the end of the celebration day, we will hear musician and guitar virtuoso Mārcis Auziņš.
Throughout the day, there will be a mini-market and various creative activities for both adults and children. Visitors can participate in a workshop about the plants growing in the castle garden and their use in making salt scrubs, engage in meditative body practice to return to oneself and reduce anxiety, and express creativity in a henna workshop. Children will be delighted by the bee Olivia from "Fairy Tale World." For full bellies, the visitors' favorite "Mother Nature" mobile catering van "Fritiņš" and the best coffee from "PaRoLe* coffee" will be available, offering sweet waffles and ice cream from “Wafelnihca.”
Everyone is warmly welcome to enjoy the festival with us! The event is free of charge. To congratulate the museum on its anniversary, instead of flowers and gifts, we would appreciate contributions to the museum's collection with items, photographs, memoirs, etc., significant to the history of Dobele District.
