The project target – an increase of 9000 visitors – was reached above the expected as project activities increased the expected number of visits to supported sites of cultural and natural heritage and attractions. Output result was reached higher than it was planned. End of the project increase of tourists rose to 188 860 on year 2023 compared to 90 857 on year 2019 – at the beginning of the project. Total quantification increase achieved for 98 003 tourists compared to target value 9000.
All project results are developed to attract more tourists and encourage them to stay longer in the project area:
1) Attract more new tourists by creating new products (exhibits of ancient boat park in Koknese LV, mineral water buvette in Kulautuva LT, involvement of entrepreneurs through experience exchange to show a broader spectrum of business opportunities);
2) Offer products for visitors to encourage them to return to relevant tourism destinations (memory stories of rivers through virtual journeys in Koknese, Jaunjelgava, and Zapyškis-Kačerginė-Kulautuva-Vilkija, cultural events that regularly occur at open-air stages by the river, emotional linkage to objects through personal engagement, such as communal singing, participation in workshops, and joint residencies of artists from both countries);
3) Encourage tourists to stay longer in the project area and stay overnight (improvement of infrastructure by the rivers in Koknese and creation of comfortable resting places in Jaunjelgava and Kulautuva, as well as organized one- or two-day festivals in the project area).
During the project, the following activities were carried out:
- Tours for media and tourism professionals. Representatives of the mass media, journalists, tour operators, and tourism representatives visited partner sites in Latvia and Lithuania and were introduced to new tourism offers in the Kaunas district and Koknese, Jaunjelgava.
2. Promotional video of the riverside towns Kačerginė, Zapyškis, Kulautuva, and Vilkija in Lithuania, and Koknese and Jaunjelgava in Latvia for potential visitors. The representative video tells about 6 riverside towns in Latvia and Lithuania in the Interreg project “Living Rivers” partner territories: Kačerginė, Zapyškis, Kulautuva and Vilkija in Kaunas District and Koknese and Jaunjelgava in Aizkraukle; The video represents attractive tourist routes along the Nemunas river in Kaunas District and along the Daugava river in Latvia; The video in full and shorten version in available on the following here: link
Full video with ENG subtitles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2Oh889_nds&t=1s
Short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEgxA9FFt1E&t=41s
3. Residencies were offered for young painters in Koknese and young photographers in Kačerginė. The aim was to attract visitors by organizing exhibitions of their works. Providing residencies for young artists was a new approach for this partnership area. The main idea was to organize two artist residencies in Koknese and the Kaunas district with the theme “Living Waters,” open to artists aged 16 to 29. They could apply through an open competition within the program area. Through group rehearsals, training, and art discussions that lasted for a week, the young artists prepared a performance or an exhibition which was showcased at the project partners’ venues.”
4. An array of cultural events.
- “Sound festival – Echoes of the Daugava” – One day sound festival featured traditional singing, various sound tools, singing performances and public involvement in various locations. Event was organized on Staburaga open-air stage on 17.09.2022.
- Event of Ancient Boat Park. Together with all project partners from LT and LV, as well as representatives from neighborhood cities and counties, media, greetings from heads of partner organizations, and performances from musicians from partner cities. The City of Koknese organized an ambitious event in Koknese at its own expense, within the framework of which the boat park was solemnly opened with concert. Publicity: Kokneses svētkos atklāta jaunā laivu piestātne | Aizkraukles novada pašvaldība
6. An international conference about water tourism.
7. QR code system was created to enhance walking tours in Kačerginė, Zapyškis, Kulautuva, Vilkija, Koknese, and Jaunjelgava as a tour guide.
Available here: https://livingrivers.kaunorajonas.lt/
| The app is available for free download, and by following its recommendations, tourists can visit the main points of interest in the riverside towns of Kačerginė, Zapyškis, Kulautuva, and Vilkija. The app presents the historical and modern life of these four towns, including photos, object descriptions, and an audio guide for all the places. It guides tourists from one sight to another, allowing them to have their tour of the riverside towns at any time of the year. The app also offers QR Tours: Lithuania & Latvia, featuring six tourist routes in Lithuania and Latvia with 50 of the most beautiful places to visit. It is possible to download the app from Google Play and iOS. |
8. Historical research of Jaunjelgava town. The obtained historical information about the period of river trade will be used for virtual reality tourism stands, a tourist information point, and tourism routes. Research in printed format available in Public libraries.
Full research document: https://2014-2020.latlit.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Historical-Research_Living-Rivers_Vesturnieka-petijums.pdf
9. The pontoon boat dock in Staburags is a popular stop for water travelers. As part of a project, a pontoon was constructed and installed at the end of the summer in Staburags Parish of the Jaunjelgava Union. It is attached to the stone walkway of Vīgante Park. The installation of a high-quality pontoon provides a convenient boarding and disembarking point, improving the accessibility of Vīgante Park. Social media publicity: https://www.facebook.com/aizkrauklesnovads/posts/249706693865730/
10. “A new boat parking area will be created near the Koknese castle ruins. The boat dock in Koknese is a popular spot for tourism and water sports activities. It is located on the beautiful banks of the Daugava River, near the Koknese castle ruins, one of the most beautiful places in Latvia.”
11. An exhibition showcasing ancient water transport vessels – the dugout canoe and the raft, has been attracting increasing numbers of tourists. It offers valuable insights into the cultural heritage of ancient river life. Notably, the dugout canoe on display is currently the longest one in Latvia. Social media publicity: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=640293674807028&set=a.221598506676549&type=3&locale=lv_LV&paipv=0&eav=Afb3j2mOgwbG3ZfdiFVPAB65Lkoj3ov8JeCkmk6PH3dYSquZQK2q3aTzAJrh4F_IfDI&_rdr
12. In 2021, 10 recreational shelters were constructed and installed along the banks of the Daugava River in Seces and Staburags Parishes. This project aims to create comfortable resting places with 10 gazebos on the opposite bank of the Daugava, next to Staburags in Jaunjelgava County and Sece Parish. It expands recreational opportunities and promotes tourism development in the area.
13. A mineral water buvette has been constructed in Kulautuva around a 150-meter-deep borehole that was drilled several years ago. The water from the borehole has been tested and found to have low mineralization, making it very pure and clean. As a result, it was decided to establish the mineral water buvette in Kulautuva. The buvette is made of Corten steel, which changes color over time from orange to brown, blending in with the color of the tree trunks in the area. The site has been landscaped and made accessible for disabled individuals, with the addition of benches and bicycle racks. The buvette is open to the public throughout the year.
14. Digital information stands with 3D video and photo materials have been set up in several Tourism Centers in Latvia and an info terminal in Lithuania. These stands provide information about the natural and cultural history of the Daugava River in an easily understandable way, using digital technology to attract younger tourists. Interactive information stands have been placed in three locations – Koknese, Jaunjelgava, and Staburags – with the main objective of promoting tourism development based on the historical, natural, and cultural heritage associated with life by the rivers. These stands allow tourists to take a virtual journey along the ancient valley of the Daugava River from Vīgante Park to Jaunjelgava, showcasing notable sites on both banks of the river before it was dammed, as well as highlighting Jaunjelgava as an ancient trading town.
https://visitaizkraukle.lv/aktualitates/daugavas-laivinieka-stasts-jaunajos-stendos
15. Construction of a public restroom in a busy tourist area near Koknese castle ruins in Latvia with ensured environmental accessibility and a baby changing table. This infrastructure is essential in such a frequently visited tourist spot and should be accessible to persons with special needs.Construction of a public restroom in busy tourist area near to Koknese castle ruins LV, with ensured environmental accessibility and a baby changing table, which is an important infrastructure object in such a frequently visited tourist spot and is also accessible to persons with special needs.
https://www.aizkraukle.lv/lv/jaunums/pie-kokneses-estrades-bus-labiericibas
16. Informative stands in Kaunas, Lithuania, near the Nemunas dredger, are a notable landmark on the Nemunas riverbank, close to the old Zapyškis church of St. John the Baptist.
https://www.kaunorajonas.lt/en/infoterminal-living-by-the-rivers/
17. Developed cultural program for Kaunas district for the next three years.
Activities that have already taken place:
– Tourism season opening and the Kite Festival “Between Earth and Sky” – 18/05/2024
Activities scheduled to happen after the project implementation:
– St. Title indulgences of John the Baptist;
– Lithuania in Raudondvaris Manor;
– Bard Festival “Acacia Alley”;
– Festival “Feet on the bottom of the lagoon”.
