| Celebration rafters | |
|---|---|
 Installation of a wreath for the rafters festival of the National Library of Latvia on May 3, 2011 | |
| Value | completion of the main phase of the building |
| Installed | in honor of the construction of new houses over 100 years ago |
| Is celebrated | construction specialists and owners of new buildings |
| Celebration | plentiful tables |
| Traditions | wreath setting |
Content
The Meaning of the Holiday and History
The rafters festival is celebrated at the time when the stage of construction of the building, the house reaches its highest point - the supporting structure of the roof or rafters is completed and all the heavy work is completed. This is the time when the owners or customers of the house can express gratitude for the work done, not only to those workers who will continue roofing, finishing, plumbing and other works, but also to those who have already completed their work at this facility. [1] At present, there is no exact information about the origin of the holiday in Latvia, but photo documents confirm that this tradition is more than two hundred years old [2] and celebrate it in many countries and different continents [3] and the holiday, its significance and the very object of existence It is an axiom for everyone, including museum workers, faculty and university administrators, and heads of government. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
Holiday Traditions
When the time comes, builders hang a wreath at the highest point of the building, which symbolizes that the craftsmen are ready to report on the work done, are convinced of the safety of the building and give the owner a sign to cover the festive tables. These festive tables cannot be covered with symbolic snacks, they should be main, hearty dishes, not forgetting also about sweets. Then everyone connected with the creation of this project sits down at a common table in order to celebrate this solemn moment and to honor the masters and designers.
After 10 days, the wreath must be removed and stored at home as a symbol of security and blessing. Usually stored in the attic or in any other place, but this wreath cannot be thrown away.
Wreath Weaving
The most popular materials for wreaths are oak branches with leaves and mint . The hostess of the new house should weave the wreath. If the hostess didn’t do it on time, and the rafters' holiday falls on the winter or spring period, then branches of conifers and other materials are also suitable.
The tradition of our time
Today, most of the inhabitants of Latvia who live in cities with multi-story buildings in everyday life do not encounter this tradition. In turn, for those who are building a new house for themselves and those associated with the construction of the house, this holiday is one of the main holidays of the year.
In contrast to the construction of private houses, the rafters' celebrations at significant sites nationwide begin with a ceremony with distinguished guests and the public is informed about this in the media. [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]
Notes
- ↑ Celebration of rafters in the new building of the new Ventspils Polyclinic. Photo and video.
- ↑ Meklēšana> Spāru svētki (Latvian) . zudusilatvija.lv. - Search results for the “ Rafters ' Day” query in the repository of the site zudusilatvija.lv (project of the Letonica Latvian National Digital Library , the purpose of which is to unify unique information about the lost and changed cultural and historical values of Latvia). Date accessed August 23, 2017.
- ↑ PHOTOS: the rafters festival was held at the construction site of the new Tallinn prison.
- ↑ Mākslas muzejā spāru svētki; nākamziem rekonstrukcija jāpabeidz. (Latvian newspaper) (Latvian)
- ↑ Latvijas Universitāte Torņakalnā atzīmēs Spāru svētkus. (University of Latvia) (Latvian)
- ↑ Arī Latvijas Radio - stāsts par Klaušinieku mājas Spāru svētkiem. Turaida Museum for Latvian Radio about the rafters festival in one of the historic buildings. (Latvian.)
- ↑ Arī Latvijas Radio - stāsts par Klaušinieku mājas Spāru svētkiem. Video of Vidzeme television in the Turaida Museum at the rafters festival with sign language translation (Latvian). (Latvian.)
- ↑ Ugāles baznīcai - spāru svētki. (Portal of the Kurzeme bishopric about the rafters of the church.) (Latvian.)
- ↑ Rafters festival of the new athletics arena in Liepaja
- ↑ Liepaja Olympic Center celebrates the “rafters festival” (Inaccessible link) . Date of treatment August 22, 2017. Archived August 22, 2017.
- ↑ First Baltic TV channel. In the national art museum, the festival of rafters.
- ↑ Celebration of rafters at Öpiku Maja in Ülemiste City
- ↑ Celebration of rafters at the Creative Services Center of Eastern Latvia. (inaccessible link) . Date of treatment August 22, 2017. Archived August 22, 2017.