Collaboration and Accessibility in Focus at European Heritage Days in Latvia

The National Heritage Board of Latvia recently held key coordination sessions for the European Heritage Days at the historic Three Brothers in Riga. This year, Latvia focused on two pressing issues: the safety of cultural heritage in times of crisis and improving accessibility for people with disabilities.

On September 6th, experts gathered at the Three Brothers for a discussion on how to better protect cultural heritage and ensure it is accessible to everyone. Participants included representatives from Latvia’s military, State Fire and Rescue Service, State Police, the National Geodetic Network Agency, prominent architects like Danish architect Torben Schønherr, and specialists in both accessibility and cultural heritage protection. The meeting ended with an agreement on the need for stronger collaboration across sectors to tackle these challenges.

The event also marked the opening of European Heritage Days in Latvia, attended by organizers and owners of more than 60 cultural heritage sites. Speeches were given by Juris Dambis, head of the National Heritage Board, retired Lieutenant General Raimonds Graube, and Ivars Balodis, head of the disability rights organization Apeirons. The National Guard’s brass quintet performed during the opening ceremony.

This year, the National Heritage Board also highlighted recent efforts to make the Three Brothers more accessible. Public areas within the historic complex have been modified to accommodate people with disabilities, including the installation of wheelchair-accessible restrooms. These changes were designed to challenge the widely held belief that historic buildings cannot be adapted for people with disabilities.

During the expert discussion, representatives from different fields shared their approaches to crisis management and cultural heritage protection. The exchange of ideas helped clarify how Latvia’s services can work together to safeguard people and cultural sites in emergencies.

The Three Brothers Site was awarded the European Heritage Label in 2019.