Celebrating the 121st Anniversary of Gulbene-Alūksne Bānītis

On September 7, we invite everyone to a special event – the narrow-gauge train, affectionately known as Bānītis, will celebrate its 121st anniversary! In honor of this occasion, we have prepared an extensive and exciting festive program that promises to be particularly interesting for both adults and children.

From 13:00 to 14:50, everyone is invited to take an exciting and informative walk around the Alūksne station quarter. Meeting at 13:00 at the "Bahnhofs hotel". During the walk, you will have the opportunity to explore:

● the "Bahnhofs hotel". In the restored Art Nouveau building, its owners - the Arajs family - will talk about the building, its functionality, accommodation, and restaurant facilities,
● the exhibition "Alūksne Bānītis Station". In the historic baggage shed of the station, there is a wealth of information available today about the industrial heritage object - Gulbene-Alūksne Bānītis. Through the exhibition guide's narrative, you will learn about the accessibility of the baggage shed building and the industrial heritage to everyone,
● the burger joint "Tvaiks x Ogle". For several years now, the historic station building has been home to a burger joint created by the Tilanus-Pakalniņa family, offering a taste of travel flavors. The owners will share their story about the station's "flavors" and the preservation of historic heritage, providing a service that promotes the popularization and accessibility of industrial heritage.

At 14:50, we will ceremoniously welcome the main jubilee at Alūksne station, which, as befits a celebration, will be pulled by the steam locomotive "Ferdinands".

This time, the musical performance will be by the ceremonial orchestra “Miers un Bērziņš” (Gints Žilinskis – piano, Lauris Amantovs – trombone/trumpet, Zintis Žvarts – saxophone, Ivars Kalniņš – drums). The musicians will arrive in Alūksne with their now legendary traveling pianos.

On this day, festival attendees can view the environmental object exhibition “Mākslas Pietura”, showcasing works created by Alūksne artists with the motto “Malēnieša DNS” - those that reflect on the artists' own lives, work, and values.
At 16:00, we will bid farewell to Bānītis as it departs for Gulbene from Alūksne station.

During the event, the café “Tvaiks x Ogle” and the Alūksnes Alus Darītava Alūksnes Business Station will be open, offering delicious food and drinks.
To join the festive train ride with Bānītis, please purchase tickets by calling 26310022. Entry to the exhibition "Alūksne Bānītis Station" is subject to a fee, but the Bānītis celebration event itself is free.

We invite everyone to participate and celebrate the 121st anniversary of Gulbene-Alūksne Bānītis!

Prepared by: Amanda Emma Gaišā
Alūksne District Cultural Center
Marketing and Communications Specialist

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