Raiņa Centre operates under the Latgale Central Library and offers interactive guided tours and cultural activities. Visitors can explore the history, cultural heritage, and notable personalities of the left bank of the Daugava River in Daugavpils.
The centre’s exhibition is dedicated to three notable personalities connected with this historical school: the Latvian poet, playwright, translator, theatre practitioner, journalist, and politician Jānis Pliekšāns – Rainis; the botanist, mathematician, and philosopher Kārlis Reinholds Kupfers; and the graphic artist Rihards Zariņš, one of the creators of the Latvian national coat of arms and the author of designs for banknotes, securities, and coins. The centre offers guided tours and creative workshops for school groups, families, and adult visitors.
Permanent Exhibition
Raiņa Centre is located in the building of the former Grīva German School and Rainis Secondary School No. 6. Many outstanding personalities studied here, and their achievements in various fields have made a significant contribution to the development of Latvian culture and science.
Guided Tour “Different Times – Different School”
During the tour, participants learn how schools developed in the Daugavpils area, what characterised German schools in the 19th century, and which subjects Rainis studied. Visitors can explore the most interesting historical events and secrets of the school building and its surroundings, and take part in practical activities by tackling tasks from old school subjects such as calligraphy, poetry writing, rhetoric, or natural sciences.
The tour is available in Latvian, Russian, and English.
Group size: 6–30 participants (larger groups are divided into two).
Materials are included in the ticket price.
Duration: 1 hour.
Creative Workshops
In the workshop “Let’s Get Acquainted – GRAPHICS!” participants explore the works of R. Zariņš, the types of seals created by R. Kupfers, the diversity of graphic techniques, and create their own graphic artwork. Each workshop focuses on creative experimentation and discovering materials and techniques, inspired by the unique legacy of Rainis, Kupfers, and Zariņš. Raiņa Centre provides all necessary materials.
Group size: 6–16 participants.
Duration: 1 hour.
Address:
Komunālā iela 2, Daugavpils
Opening hours:
Monday–Friday: 11:00–18:00
Saturday–Sunday: closed
It is also possible to visit the centre at a different time arranged individually in advance.
Information:
Latgale Central Library
Phone: +371 29528218
E-mail: raina.centrs@lcb.lv
Facebook: Raiņa centrs
