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On Saturday, 10 May, in a spring clean-up marking the 35th anniversary of the Declaration on the Restoration of Independence, members of the Saeima Presidium, Saeima members, and staff worked to tidy the grounds of the Čakste family home “Auči”.
Also participating in the annual spring initiative “A Gift for Latvia” were former members of the Supreme Council and participants of the Youth Parliament.
Volunteers maintained the previously planted orchard, berry bushes, and shrubbery, cleaned the area surrounding the house and historic park, and repaired footpaths. This year’s efforts also continued the development of a dedicated walking trail, along with the creation of a rock garden featuring various flowers and plants.
The Saeima’s annual spring clean-up is a symbolic gift to Latvia in honour of the country’s restoration of independence. The tradition was established by Indulis Emsis, Speaker of the 9th Saeima. In previous years, parliamentary volunteers have restored the protective dune belt in Jūrmala and planted fast-growing aspens and pine trees. For over a decade, volunteers have gathered each spring to maintain the surroundings of “Auči”, the family home of Jānis Čakste—Chair of the People’s Council, President of the Constitutional Assembly, and the first President of the Republic of Latvia. Over the years, a new orchard and berry gardens have been planted, the lawn restored, the old park and lime tree alley revitalised, and a time capsule containing a message for future generations placed in the foundations of the new building of the museum Jānis Čakste’s House.
Last year, lilac bushes of the specially cultivated variety ‘Brīve’ (Liberty) were planted at Auči to mark the centenary of the Saeima. Two years earlier, in celebration of Čakste’s 160th birthday, the orchard was expanded with a new apple variety, ‘Čakstes Auči’.
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/saeima/albums/72177720326022933/with/54509534563
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Saeima Press Service
