On 11 June, President Edgars Rinkēvičs presented awards to the laureates of the student project competition “History Around Us” at Riga Castle.
“In our daily rush, amid social media and the constant flow of information, we often forget that many things that seem new and unique to us have in fact repeated themselves throughout history. If you know history well and have thoroughly explored a particular period, you realise truly nothing is new under the sun. Things simply repeat themselves, although each new generation experiences the excitement of discovery. While working on your projects, you undoubtedly came to the conclusion that if you spoke with your grandparents, they would tell you stories about things that are, in reality, happening today as well,” said the President in his address to the students and teachers.
In the 4th to 6th grade category, first place was awarded to Jēkabs Cukurs from Smiltene Secondary School for his research into the history of the Cukurs family’s carpentry business. Second place went to Kārlis Pīlips from Ogresgals Primary School for a short film about the about the boarding house of the Ogresgrīva Manor estate. The third prize was awarded to Lora Houpa Mačuka from Ērgļi Primary School for her exploration of the history of the White House in Sausnēja.
In the 7th to 9th grade category, first place was awarded to Mārcis Pūciņš and Kristiāns Jānis Ķauķis from Riga State German Gymnasium for a documentary film about Riga Central Station. Second place went to Monta Tumpele from Pāvilosta Primary School for research on the history of Schneider Square 11 in Pāvilosta. Third prize was awarded to Nauris Saulišs and Roberts Jurkāns from Riebiņi Primary School for their study and model creation of the Preiļi chapel.
In the 10th to 12th grade category, first place for the research on the building at 26 Akadēmijas Street, Jelgava, was awarded to Raivo Zimelis from Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium. Second place went to Elza Duļbinska from Ventspils State Gymnasium No. 1 for her study of the history of the Gūtšmits House in Ventspils. Third place was shared by Eduards Ločmelis from Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium for a digital reconstruction of Jelgava Academic Gymnasium, also known as Academia Petrina, and by Rūta Bērziņa and Liveta Birzgale from Sigulda State Gymnasium for their study of the history of Sigulda New Castle.
For information:
“History Around Us” is an international creative and research competition for students, organised in Latvia by the Association of History and Social Science Teachers. The competition was held for the first time in 2002.
