(...) At the award ceremony in Croatia, the Rauna castle ruins and their viewing tower received the main international award from the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN) in the archaeology category.

Rauna Castle was built in the second half of the 14th century and was one of the main residences of the Archbishop of Riga during the winter season, from September to February. At the start of the Livonian War, the castle did not suffer significant damage, as the Russian army captured it without a fight; the defenders feared the cruelty of the Russian Tsar Ivan IV should they resist.

A 1582 audit indicates that the castle was still in good condition at that time, but the most severe damage to Rauna Castle was caused by the Polish–Swedish War in the early and mid-17th century. In 1683, an order was issued to dismantle the castle's fortifications; sections of the outer bailey walls and the defensive towers between them were blown up.

(...) ...Saldus Municipality presented an award to Pēteris Stumburs, owner of the “Airīte” station, in the category “Growth story in the development of industrial and cultural tourism”. Along with his family and associates, he has transformed the former railway station in Zirņi Parish, Saldus Municipality, into a significant cultural venue, where the curated exhibition reveals the history of Latvian railways, and provides accommodation for travellers as well as a space for various events.