Cooperation for Renewal of Local Cultural Heritage in Rural Communities: Case Study of the Night of Legends in Latvia

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to describe the phenomenon of the Night of Legends in Latvia particularly focusing on the case of manors in Jelgava county. This event aims to preserve and promote local cultural heritage by active involvement of local community members and visitors (individuals, amateur groups, local businesses, schools, etc.). Thematic activities in manors and palaces are targeted to raise interest and cooperation, what in turn extends the tourist season. The event is organized by the Latvian Association of Castles, Palaces and Manors. The paper includes an analysis of the event’s offer in the context of preservation of cultural heritage as well as interviews with tourism specialists from Jelgava county, particularly involved in organizing the Night of Legends.

How Are Historical Villages Changed? A Systematic Literature Review on European and Chinese Cultural Heritage Preservation Practices in Rural Areas

“…Moreover, an innovative, accountable management mechanism has emerged [23] based on effective capacity building by residents and governments' willingness to be involved as much as possible in communities [48]. From the perspective of the private parties involved, it was found that small startups can avoid the government-business coalition and further enhance management transparency [49,52,53,77]. This should be reasonably suggested for rural cultural heritage preservation in other contexts.…”

“…Concerning businesses in the case study villages in Europe, small local businesses were moderately present [49,51,54,55]. Small-scale, family-run businesses indicate the economic sustainability of local societies [55,56].…”

“…Based on this bottom-up approach involving multiple stakeholders, rural tourism has been able to link heritage preservation and local development by enhancing the economy [21]. In Latvia and Slovenia,, heritage management includes analyses and strategies spontaneously developed by citizens that have been encouraged to help shape heritage communities [49,50]. The case of Wisniowa, Poland, showed that rural heritage preservation and development was merely a process of conflict resolution by reconciling stakeholders [51].…”

“…In France, municipalities, with several special committees, are entitled to apply for labeling for their villages to boost tourism development [21]. The impact of reciprocal interactions and attractiveness among local cooperative partners and public bodies on preserving rural heritage has been also reported in the villages of Jelgava County, Latvia [49]. It should be noted that municipalities, as the governmental body working at the front line in both daily spatial planning practices and heritage preservation, may be criticized if they are revealed to be paternalistic, as occurred in villages in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany [53].…”

Smart tourism and cultural heritage in the Baltic states: exploring strategies and tools for sustainable development

“…Historic center of Riga In Latvia, incorporating cultural assets into tourism products is an inherent aspect of the tourism offer (Paula and Kaufmane, 2020). Tourism, on the other hand, both exploits and aids in the preservation of cultural and historical heritage by improving its incorporation into commodified products.…”