June 12
On the 12th of June, after the press-conference at Dailes theatre in Riga, the vikings'ship was loaded on a trailer and started its way to Surazh in Belarus.
Swedish crew-members and the head of expedition Per Eric Stefansson were accompanying the ship.
The crew are people of various ways of life - journalists, writers, social workers, builders. These people are united by the will to discover unkown historical facts, international contacts, so that to show what is common in the cultures of European nations.
Latvia is represented by professor Yuris Urtans, the Head of Archeology Center. For a number of years he has been studying archeological remnants all the way river Daugava valley : old settlements, cementries etc. In 2000 he was organizing unique archeological research works, studying ancient graves of seli tribe ( in the village of Staburags in Aizkraukle region).
This was possible thanks to the support of the Cultural Monuments Inspection.
13.06.2001 at 15.00 in Vitebsk a meeting of the expedition members and the Republik of Belarus authorities with journalists took place. The consul of Latvia in Vitebsk Inesa Kina and the 1st Secretary of Belarus Embassy in Latvia Olga Shpendik participated in this meeting.
The participants got acquainted with Vitebsk cultural places of interset, visited Marc Chagal museum, where presently the exposition of paintings by young Latvian artists takes place.
On June the 14th the vikings'ship was put afloat in Daugava , at Surazh river crossing. The westerly winds made it impossible to raise the sail, so the ship was driven down the river by a strong current.
The expedition of the latvian Cultural Foundation started successfully.
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"Aifur's" abode
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June 23
On June 23 late in the afternoon, the viking ship crossedthe Belarus-Latvian border. Daugava river is very shallow near Polock, so several times the ship was touching ground which resulted in damaging hull's plating. The expedition members think that also in ancient times Daugava was navigable only during early spring's high water.
Rune Erdberg was astonished by the beauty of Latgale and by hospitality and kindness of local people, but most of all - by traditions of celebrating Jan's Day - songs, bonfires, dances, divine service in the church.
Vladimir Merkulov, the scientist of Belarus Academy of sciences, is also taking part in the expedition.
Thanks to efforts of Jazep Dobkevich, the director of Kraslava cultural society, the Swedish members of the expedition got to know notable places and sights in Kraslava region, they also had good rest after hard sailing down the Daugava river in Belarus and had a chance to prepare the ship for further trip.
The local town halls of Kraslava region had always supported the Daugava programme - not only by organizing festivities, but by taking daily care of cultural and historical environment, paying attention to the development of cultural traditions and folk creative works, encouraging local free enterprise. In this area a real touristic business is now being developed: new hotels are being built, new tourist routes are being planned.
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"Aifur's" abode
Jazep Dobkevichs
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June 25-26
On June 25 in the afternoon new members joined the expedition crew - professor Juris Urtans, who has been studying old settlements in Daugava valley, aigars Liepinsh, a representative of Daugava Programme Council, Albert Zarans, a farmer from Sece, whose farm is located just on the bank of Daugava.
On Monday, June 25th, the repairs of ship's hull platings were completed.
Early in the morning on June 26 "Aifur" started its way to Kraslava.
All these days the expedition members were living in the motel of tourist center "BENGS", situated on Daugava river, at the border. Not far from this place there is a lake.Here the locals Galina Borovaja and Evgenij Borzol are constructing cosy facilities for holiday people. Their kindness and good-heartedness are attracting tourists.So pretty soon there will be one more place in Latvia where tourist could have a rest in the nature.
On june 28 numerous colourful happenings will take place (see "Plan"), so all those who wish to attend are invited.
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"Aifur's" abode
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June 28
After crossing the Belarus-Latvian border participants of "Daugava expedition 2001" got
a press conference in Krâlava. During the conference Rune Edberg and
Mona Holmberg shared with journalists about the first impression in Latvia as well as
about expedition's plans and targets.
Later on Rune Edberg togather and Juris Urtâns went on boat down to the river to discover
Daugava's stream and rapids. Daugava is very beatiful as well as very dangerous river there in
the Krâslava district.
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"Aifur's" abode
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June 29
During the day voyagers had several excursions: to local artists in ceramics
Valdis Pauliòð, to village Andrupene and to the Basilica of Aglona.
In the afternoon they met participants of similar project "Silver boat" - group of young
people from Finland, Norway and Latvia.
At night there was a party.
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"Aifur's" abode
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June 30
30th of June
In the morning team of the ship "Aifur" weigh anchor and after 25 km rowing against
the wind is reached hillcastle Markova. In the afternoon team members discovered river
Daugava until the city Daugavpils.
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"Aifur's" abode
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July 1
During the day rowwing along the river participants of "Daugava expedition 2001" crossed city Daugavpils.
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"Aifur's" abode
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July 2
By July 2, travelers reached Dunava and stayed there overnight. Master of the ship Bosse Sundstrem is
satisfied by journey schedule, but quite worry about safety of the ship and crew.
Thee meeting with Latvenergo’s vice-president Ivars Liuznieks was arranged, where questions about Riga’s
hydro plant over crossing were discussed. The specialists from Latvenergo know Daugava’s sailing paths and
shores very well and without their help it shouldn’t be possible to go through and organize Daugava expedition.
Crewmembers from Sweden decided to take a look of Plavinas and Kegums hydro plants.
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July 3
Researching shore near site of ancient settlement Jersika the “old port” was found and expedition tied up at it.
This year at the site of ancient settlement Jersika archeological researches under the supervision of prof.
V. Mugurevic take place.
Professional archeologist and experts expressed their opinions about researches. Expedition spent the night at
place about 2 km from Livani.
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July 4
With the support of Livani city council expedition researches Daugava river till the School of Abele
in Jekabpils region.
Daugava river getting more and more shoal and it’s hard, but somewhere even impossible to sail.
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July 5
Participants of the expedition guided by prof Juris Urtans visit the site of ancient settlement Dzirkali
and stay overnight near the lake Laukezers.
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July 6
District of Staburags. Annual children camp “Staburaga berni” started under the “Daugava” program.
Camp participants - children from Kraslava, Preili, Aluksne, Limbazi, Aizkraukle and Riga.
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July 7
Special activities in the city of Jekabpils. At 3.00pm - meeting in the Krustpils castle museum, head of the
museum Inese Berke. In the yard of the museum it is possible to look at craftsmen work. The exhibition opening,
press conference and meeting with the ship “Aifur” crew going to be arrange in the museum.
(see Schedule and Plan)
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July 9
Activities of Daugava program in Aizkraukle.
At 2.00pm, History and Art museum of Aizkraukle “Kalna Ziedi”, participants of the expedition will
have meeting with the head of Aizkraukle city council Vilnis Plume, deputies and population.
The museum was constructed according to farmers of Vizdzeme tradition. With the support
of Culturecapital Foundation new exhibition hall was built here not long time ago,
already 3 exhibitions going to be carried in this new hall in near future -
“Daugava River after Vikings “,” Hidden under the ground “and” The glass”. Memorial
complex “Kalna Ziedi”, information tracks will be introduced to the guests. The museum
has become one of the dominants of city’s cultural life and favorite place of rest.
The experts from EC, including professor Brian Goody from the Oxford University value
the work of museum’s staff preserving and researching cultural heritage of very high level.
City of Aizkraukle is situated near Plavinas hydro power plant, which producing cheapest power energy
not only in Latvia, but also in whole Baltic. The plant is switching into operation only for some minutes
or even second just to cover peak load (consumption) with generated power, and plays leading role maintaining
general stability of the Baltic power system. Plavinas power plant playing quite important role in
whole region development as well. Unfortunately possibilities given by its reservoir for tourism and
rest still not fully uncovered and valued. In this year Latvenergo sponsors all Daugava program activities.
For additional information refer to the Aizkraukle city home page in the Internet.
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