Since December, a new exhibition titled “What Was Rustling in the Forest?” has been open at the Līgatne nature trails. It invites visitors to discover the significance and role of Latvia's wild animals in Latvian folklore – in folk songs, legends, fairy tales, beliefs and sayings.

The exhibition has been specially designed to foster an understanding of the role animals play in the Latvian way of life and of their symbolic meaning through interactive, engaging elements. Although its main audience is school-age children, it will enrich the experience of every visitor to the Līgatne nature trails

“Our forebears went about their daily lives in a much closer relationship with nature, natural phenomena and animals than we do today. Animals were celebrated in folk songs, they were the main characters of many fairy tales, and they were credited with qualities that people themselves should either strive for or avoid. Their symbolic meaning was widely used to pass the traditional way of life on to younger generations. The masked mummers' processions during the darkest time of the year were likewise unthinkable without figures portraying animals, carrying good fortune from house to house,” explains Elīna Ezeriņa, Head of the Communications and Nature Education Division of the authority, describing the link between animals and folklore.

The indoor part of the exhibition features authentic mummers' masks and costumes made in the image of animal figures. This part of the exhibition was created by Janta Meža, a master of Latvian folk costume making and an experienced folklorist. The costumes she has made reflect the deep connection between Latvian traditions and nature and animals. The exhibition also includes instructive elements, stories about how the masks were made, and guidance on how to make a mummer's mask yourself and from which materials.

The new exhibition gives visitors the chance to experience the ancient Latvian mummers' traditions and to discover the variety of masks used by our ancestors. It introduces Latvia's cultural values, highlighting elements of the Latvian way of life and the richness of its folklore.

Specially prepared guides, produced for four age groups, will help visitors explore the programme and take it in meaningfully. They include interactive riddles, learning tasks and creative activities that help consolidate the knowledge gained and encourage the joy of discovery. The guides are available free of charge at the Līgatne nature trails Information Centre.

The new exhibition can only be viewed with a valid Līgatne nature trails visitor ticket. Tickets can be bought in advance at the pre-sale site www.bilesuparadize.lv, as well as on site at the Līgatne nature trails information centre.

News from the Līgatne nature trails can be followed at www.ligatnesdabastakas.lv and on the Līgatnes Dabas Takas Facebook profile.

The Līgatne nature trails of the Gauja National Park were established in 1975 in an area rich in wooded ravines, in order to acquaint visitors with the wild animal species living in Latvia, with the diversity of nature and with the need for nature conservation. To this end, the Līgatne nature trails regularly host educational events about the wild animals found in Latvia, giving everyone interested the opportunity to learn more about these animals' biology, way of life, behaviour and role in nature, as well as to meet the representatives of particular species living at the Līgatne nature trails.