The garden of destinies' photostream

T“Likteņdārzs” on the island in Koknese

With support of the entire Latvian nation in the middle of the River Daugava, on the island in Koknese, “Likteņdārzs” (briefly translated as the Garden of Destinies) is being built. This is the place, where the past of Latvia meets the present and the future. This is the place, where to find the consolation, the fortitude and also the inspiration to fulfil the dreams. „Likteņdārzs” is the place to commemorate all the people Latvia lost last century – those fallen in the wars, repressed in Siberia and also those being pressed to abandon Latvia and move abroad. Within this context, the memorial site should symbolically gather all Latvian souls lost in different parts of the world, showing the price that has been paid for the freedom of the Latvian nation and the independence of Latvia. At the same time, the remembrance site should testify to the endurance and the strength of the nation, which allowed it to overcome hardships and to look with hope toward the future.
This is also the special place because of the River Daugava, which historically has been linked to the destiny of Latvia. Also the old highway from Riga to Daugavpils, the Koknese Lutheran church and the old castle of Koknese that has been seen from the island makes the project unique. „Likteņdārzs” is being built like the Monument of Freedom was built in the last century by our past generations. Today we are implementing „Likteņdārzs”, and everybody is welcomed to participate in this project.

The bird’s view on the Koknese city and the island in the middle of the River Daugava in the year of 2005.

„The Koknese foundation” - implementer of „Likteņdārzs”

To implement the project of „Likteņdārzs”, “The Koknese foundation” was established in 2005. „Likteņdārzs” is being implemented on the land of the local government. The area of this land plot is 22 hectares, and its market value in 2005, when the Foundation was established, was about 450 thousand lats. The founders Vilis and Marta Vitoli have contributed the same amount of money for the project. The project after completion will be assigned to Koknese local government.
Founders of “The Koknese Foundation” are well-known and recognized professionals in Latvia and worldwide from different areas - a historian Ainars Bambals, a scenic designer Andris Freibergs, the deputy of European Parliament Sandra Kalniete, Koknese local government, which is represented by the Chairman of Koknese Council Viesturs Cirulis and Deputy Chairman Maris Reinbergs, the former Chairman of the World Federation of Free Latvians, currently Director of Public Affairs for the American Latvian Association Janis Kukainis, Director of Rundale Palace Museum Imants Lancmanis, an entrepreneur Valdis Lokenbahs, a demographer Ilmars Mezs, the deputy director for development of the Latvian Occupation Museum (9141 – 1990) Valters Nollendorfs, the former president of “Latvija Statoil”, currently working for “StatoilHydro ASA” Baiba Rubesa, academician Prof. Janis Stradins, historian Rudite Viksne, Council members of “The Vitols Foundation” - Marta and Vilis Vitoli - and the poetess and writer Mara Zalite. Council of the Foundation consists of eight members: Vilis Vitols, Chairman of the Council, Viesturs Cirulis, Deputy Chairman of the Council, and Sandra Kalniete, Mara Zalite, Janis Stradins, Marta Vitola, Maris Reinbergs and Guntis Belevics as Council members. The council of the Foundation has its meetings at least once a quarter. The board of the Foundation is responsible for the operational activities. The Board consists of two members. The chairman of the Board Valda Auzina is responsible for all the administrative, financial and legal operations. The member of the Board, the project manager in Koknese Bruno Cirulis is responsible for all the technical and design operations. Both members of the Board are the only hired employees. The bookkeeping service is outsourced. All the administrative expenses of the Foundation are financed by the investment of the founders, and in 2009 January the Council of the Foundation decided also 6% of the entire donation dedicate to the administrative expenses. 10% of all the donations every year are allocated as an inviolable capital to be able to cover the maintenance costs of the garden. Accordingly to the Latvian legislation, once a year the independent auditors make the audit of all the financial statements.

The international open tender in 2005

To generate ideas of the artistic and philosophical conception of the commemoration place, in 2005 “The Koknese Foundation” announced an international open tender. The tender organizers welcomed the participation of anyone wishing to make a contribution to the formation of this memorial site. The assessment was anonymous. Opening and registration of idea proposal letters and preservation of authors’ data were supervised by the international auditing company “Ernst & Young”. The jury of the tender included 15 members – all the seven members of the Council of the Foundation, two founders of the Foundation – Imants Lancmanis and Andris Freibergs - and three professionals from Latvia and three professionals form abroad - Ceramic Sculptor Peteris Martinsons, Art critic, Chief editor of newspaper “Kulturas Forums” Inga Steimane, Architect Ausma Skujina from Latvia and foreign experts – sculptor from Finland Juha van Ingen, landscape architect from Venezuela - Carmen Dvorak de Contreras, architect from Japan, Professor of the University of Tokyo Hiroshi Naito – participated in the work of the jury. Totally 207 ideas from 31 country had been submitted till December 31, 2005. 112 proposals were from Latvia and 95 – from the foreign countries (Italy - 18, France - 13, Switzerland - 7, Chile, Spain, USA - 5, Belgium, Lithuania - 4, Brazil, Denmark, Sweden - 3, China, Croatia, Germany, Great Britain, Poland, Turkey – 2, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Qatar, Slovakia – 1). The first prize was given to the project “Meisow”, developed by landscape architect Shunmyo Masuno from Japan. The second prize was given to the project developed by Andis Blums from Latvia. The third prize was given to the project developed by Claudio Zappia in collaboration with Rosanna Law from Great Britain. The promotion prize was given to the project developed by the author group from Latvia – Lauma Garkalne, Ligita Tomina, Loreta Erele and Gunta Rozenberga. Jury awarded also the special prize to the project developed by Kristofers Rubins, 4 years old boy from Latvia.

The implementation of the project

The project is developed under the idea of the Japanese landscape architect Shunmyo Masuno, who is the supervisor of the company "Japan Landscape Consultants Ltd"., the professor in the Tama’s arts university, guest lecturer at Harvard, British Columbia, and other famous universities, and also the author of numerous publications and books. Mr. Masuno is one of the world well-known landscape architects. His designed gardens can be seen in Berlin, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Bergen, Ottawa, Singapore, Hong Kong and elsewhere.

Sketch from Shunmyo Masuno project „Meisow”

“Likteņdārzs” is designed as a metaphor for the choir suite, consisting of preludes and six parts. Shares are divided into three zones. Each zone is associated with their time and space, and they generally symbolize infinity. Project is being built in collaboration with the Latvian partner - excellent Latvian architect and the author of the multi-functional building Andris Kronbergs and “Projektesanas birojs Arhis”. “The Koknese foundation” plans to implement the project within 10 years – till the 100 anniversary of the Latvian Republic in 2018. The estimated amount of the money requisite to put the project into practice is approximately 10 million lats. “The Koknese foundation” plans to gather this amount of money as donations from the private persons and from corporate as the money and also as the volunteers’ work, and also looking from other sources of financing. The implementation of the project is divided in 10 parts, and the first part was implemented in 2008.

2008
The first part of the project - the planting of 100 apple trees line - was realized in 2008 as the joint work event of more than 300 people. Every tree was planted to honour the particular person or person’s group. Also the road to the central part of the garden was made in 2008.
In 2008 there were also worked out several important projects for “Likteņdārzs” – the author of the project Shunmyo Masuno in cooperation with “Japan landscape consultants Ltd.” worked out the sketches project of “Likteņdārzs”. Also the engineer geological estimation of the land by the company “Silūrs” was done during that year. SIA “Projektesanas birojs ARHIS” leaded by Andris Kronbergs worked out the sketches project for the multifunctional building. Part of the architects’ – A. Kronbergs and R. Saulitis – work was donated to the project. SIA “JMI birojs” leaded by J. Marnauza has worked out the Daugava river bank strengthening project as a donation. Besides the projects for the building of amphitheatre and perimeter road by the company “Polyroad” were worked out.
Respecting the aim and the scale of the project in 2008 the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers took the guardianship for this project. In this year the Foundation received also the first real estate donation – Rasma Platupa donated to the Foundation her flat in Riga district. In 2008 the infrastructure of donations for different audiences was developed, offering several options – calling to the “Likteņdārzs” donation phone number 9000 6787, making the donation with the payment card in the project’s homepage www.liktendarzs.lv or making the money transfers directly to he Foundation’s current account.

2009

The year of 2009 was especially important for the project. Due to the informational supporter of “Likteņdārzs” - "Latvian Television" – in 2009 this project became widely known throughout the Latvia. In the New Year's Eve broadcast of "Latvian Television" the voluntary work event – donation action - in “Likteņdārzs” on 23 August - was recognized as the best work of “Latvian Television” in 2009, and Vilis Vītols – the founder of “The Koknese Foundation” and “The Vitols Foundation” – was acknowledged as the Person of the Year.
In the spring “Likteņdārzs” donation cards were issued. The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers took the first donation card. All the Funds received during the last year through the donation cards were spent for building the perimeter road (to the cluster phase) and for the construction and marking an outdoor amphitheatre parts. Its builder was the local company "Roplaini”, Chairman of the Board A. Dambītis. The price was determined through questionnaires. During the last year also the old gravel quarry area was recultivated, as well as a visitors' parking lot for about 100 cars built was developed. In the end of the year the location of a temporary visitor’s building was prepared, that is going to be placed in “Likteņdārzs” in the spring of 2010.
This year much work was done as a voluntary work – the Latvian forest industry has developed forest part; due to support of the local businesses the matching of the land and grassland was harvested about 10 ha large area on both sides of the apple tree alley.
In 2009 two major events in “Likteņdārzs” had taken place – on 23 May Latvian forest industry organized their event devoted to the Forest industry of Latvia, which brought together approximately 300 people. As already mentioned, "Latvian Television" event "Top Latvian Likteņdārzs!" brought together 1 000 volunteers and visitors during the whole day. About 30 individual voluntary work events had taken place in “Likteņdārzs” – taking together students, the working collectives and dance groups, both church and community groups in total – around 2 000 people.

The project’s progress in the autumn of 2009.

In 2009 SIA “Projektesanas birojs ARHIS” worked out the technical project of the multi-functional building and the garden lighting and power project. Local architect Gunta Kursīte worked out also the technical project of the operational building.
Last year also the open tender of the conceptual design of view terrace in “Likteņdārzs" under the supervision on SIA “Projektesanas birojs ARHIS” was organised. Competition was aimed to create the park concept of “Likteņdārzs” and objective of the competition: proper sketch ideas for the intended park pavilion and terrace overlooking the river Daugava. In the competition participated the students of the Riga Technical University Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning and the Latvian Academy of Art. In conclusion from 17 works the sketch project developed by Laura Laudere and Didzis Jaunzems, students from Riga Technical University, was recognized as the best and is going to be implemented in “Likteņdārzs” in 2010.
During 2009 the Foundation attracted donations of around 140 000 lats. Especially successful was the December, when large sums were transferred to the account of the Foundation. One of the most successful architects and building companies in Latvia “RE & RE” donated to “Likteņdārzs” 10 000 lats. The company “Ultra Express” decided to support the project making 2 000 lats donation. The long-term supporter of the project – Latvian State company “Latvijas valsts mezi” donated 30 000 lats for the building of amphitheatre in 2010.
Last year the Foundation received also the financing from Norwegian Financial Mechanism block grant "Short Term Expert Fund" funds of EUR 49 949.91, that was used for financing the multi-functional building’s technical design and garden lighting and power project.
On 15th September of 2009 the world-known musician Gidon Kremer and “Kremerata Baltica” played the concert, devoted to “Likteņdārzs”. Gidon Kremer devoted this concert to the memory of his close people and expressed the hope that Latvia expects blooming garden and the cultivated future without violence.
Janis Vasarietis decided also to offer the seeds of very special kind of strawberries, sending them trough the post. If any of the recipients wanted to show particular respect, Janis Vasarietis requested to call by phone 9000 6787, donating one lat to creation of “Likteņdārzs”.


The Chairman of the Council Vilis Vitols with the world-known musician
Gidons Kremers on 15th September of 2009.

The works and events planned in 2010

The main work for the year 2010 planned in “Likteņdārs” is to start the works on the central part of the garden – the amphitheatre. In the spring of 2010 also the visitor information building is going to be placed. This building is intended to support the visitors with the information about the project and offer also donation cards etc.
As already mentioned, the view terrace is going to be built in 2010. The financial support for this building is going to be received from the local entrepreneur Maris Liopa. Currently the company “Arhitektu birojs Jaunromāns un Abele” works on technical project of this building, part of the works making as donations, and also J. Marnauza in his office “JMI birojs” works on the Daugava river bank’s strengthening project as the second donation for “Likteņdārzs”.
Also two special events are planned for this year – on 4 May the first tree planting event is going to be take place involving the students, receiving the "The Vitols Foundation’s" scholarships, and the youth group "Mazā Kavalerija". The second major event for this year is going to be continuation of the tradition initiated by Edgars Kots and "Latvian Television" in 2009 – voluntary event – donation action on 21 August "Top Latvian Likteņdārzs!". This year in the organization of this event several organizations are involved – “Latvian Television”, Riga Business School mixed choir, manager of the school Janis Grevins, conductor Gints Ceplenieks, mixed choir “Balsis”, conductor Ints Teterovskis and the most popular musician Renars Kaupers and also Andris Ceksters. On 13 June in “Likteņdārzs” the outdoor church service is planned. In April and July – the voluntary work events of Latvian Rotary club members with their families. On 11th November in “Likteņdārzs” the candles are going to be enlightened to commemorate the soldiers who have fallen for the freedom of Latvia. On 18th November – Latvian Independence Day – at 16:06 noon, the sun stopping in “Likteņdārzs” the traditional bonfire is planned to turn on the light and tell the visitors about the progress made during the year and the goals for 2011.
In the implementation of the project the Japanese Ambassador in Latvia Mr Takashi Osanai (H.E. Mr. Takashi Osanai) and his wife Keiko Osanai, the Latvian Association of Politically Repressed, the Latvian officers association, the Latvian Reserve Officers Association, Latvian Scouts central organization, Jaunsardzes centrs, Kokneses secondary school, students’ corporations "Fraternitas Vanenica” and "Lettonia", Riga Business School mixed choir and many, many people is taking place.
“The Koknese Foundation” expresses gratitude to all people and organizations that help and support the implementation of the project. “Likteņdārzs” donation cards might be obtained in all the offices of “Latvijas Pasts”, in the “Latvian Occupation Museum (1940 – 1991)”, in Koknese tourism office and in the Foundation’s premises on Lacplesa Street 75 – III, Riga. All the information about the project is available in the project’s homepage www.liktendarzs.lv.


Contacts:

Valda Auzina and Bruno Cirulis
Coordinators of the Koknese Foundation
Lacplesa street 75-III
Riga, LV-1011, Latvia
Tel.: +371 6728-9535
Fax: +371 6782-8523
E-mail: info@koknesesfonds.lv
www.liktendarzs.lv