Throughout the project, numerous activities were undertaken to build the capacity of local craftsmen:
1.Theoretical Trainings: These focused on the latest trends in tourism, branding, online visibility, and digital solutions for attracting audiences. Training sessions were organized in Dobele and Anyksciai, with two rounds of training per country. Latvian craftsmen met in Dobele, while Lithuanian craftsmen gathered at the Anyksciai Art Incubator. In total, 81 craftsmen participated in these trainings.
2. Creative Workshops: These workshops aimed to develop unique products for the cross-border area, blending modern designs with traditional skills, local resources, and eco-innovative initiatives. The workshops were engaging cross-border activities for craftsmen, and five three-day workshops were organized:
– National Costumes and Musical Instruments Workshop by PP6 (October 8-10, 2021)
– Digital Platforms Workshop by PP4 (October 13-15, 2021)
– Cross-Sectoral Activities Workshop by PP3 (November 24-26, 2021)
– Woodworking Workshop by PP5 (December 1-3, 2021)
– Ceramics Workshop by PP2 (June 1-3, 2022)
(3) Art Fairs: In the second year of the project, art fairs were held in Daugavpils, Anykščiai, and Riga, total three fairs.
Development of Tour de Crafts:
1. Concept and Branding: The lead partner developed the concept and branding for a new cross-border tourism product in craftsmanship. The purpose is to promote the sustainable use of traditional skills, preserving and promoting them as a common feature of the cultural and historical heritage of the cross-border territory of Latvia and Lithuania.
- The purpose of the Concept is to promote sustainable use of traditional skills preserving and promoting them as a common feature of the cultural and historical heritage of the cross-border territory of Latvia and Lithuania. Concept Tour de Crafts
- Brand book of Tour de Crafts Tour_de_Crafts_stila_G_FINAL .
2. Digital Activities: These are accessible for visitors and located at:
– Preili Castle: An interactive 5D exhibition on crafts at Raiņa bulvāris 30, Preiļi, Preiļu pilsēta, Preiļu novads. The exhibition is free, and tourists can book visits through TIC or the Preili Castle and Manor Park administration. Information is also available on social media:
https://www.visitpreili.lv/lv/aktuala-informacija
https://latgale.travel/listing/preilu-parks-un-borhu-muizas-komplekss/
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGebBjgH9/
2.2 Dobele: An interactive story on craftsmanship located at the Dobele Adult Education and Business Support Centre, Brīvības iela 7, Dobele, Dobeles pilsēta, Dobeles novads. The stories are free to view during the Centre’s working hours, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. The content is also published on partner websites:
– https://pic.dobele.lv/project/amatu-prasmes-turisma-telpa-tour-de-crafts-nr-lli-539/
– https://www.tourdecrafts.eu/about/project-2/
3. Improvement of Equipment: This included equipment for organizing creative workshops and public masterclasses, both indoors and outdoors, as well as for displaying crafts products and organizing art fairs for four project partners.
4. Infrastructure Improvement: Enhancements were made at three cultural and historical heritage sites—Preili Manor Complex, Balvi Manor, and Upytė Craft Centre in Panevėžys County. These sites serve as tourist attractions and hosts for creative workshops, craft exhibitions, and digital activities.
5. Public Workshops: Fifteen creative workshops were organized for the wider public in Dobele, Balvi, Preili, Anykščiai, and Panevežys.
Marketing materials:
- Brochure “Craftsmen of the Latgale”. This includes two local routes—The Tour of Water (leather and textile) and The Tour of Fire (ceramics and glass) Latgale_TDC_amatnieki_FINAL_SMALL
2. Route map “Latgales amatnieki” TDC_Karte_Latgale_WEB
3. Map of Tour de Craft route TDC_Karte_LAT_LIT_WEB
4. Brochure “Iepazīsti Dobeles novada amatniekus”. Features 12 locations to meet craftsmen and enhance your skills.. Brochure_PP4
5. Brochure “Along the paths of Aukstaitija Crafts”. Highlights 16 sites in the Utena region, known for its rich craftsmanship heritage. Amatai. Utena. Brošiūra
6. Brochure “Along the paths of creativity”. Focuses on 13 sites in Panevėžys district, celebrating the region’s cultural heritage. Amatai. Panevėžys. Brošiūra
7. Leaflet “Amatu prasmes tūrisma telpā “ Leaflet_PP4
8. Videos
Nature. Joy. Happiness
During the project, partners created five sets of visual stories and short videos
8.1. Latgale and Tour de Crafts
8.2. Visit craftsmen of Dobele: Video for social media and video story for partner site
8.3. Utena region Along the paths of creativity
8.4. Aukstaitia crafts route
These videos were aimed at showcasing the unique craftsmanship and cultural heritage of the regions involved in the project.