Escape game "Nickname Loneliness" Memorial site
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The breakout game is located in Vanagi, Preiļi municipality, in the building of the former Vanagi elementary school. The historic school building is located near the Vanagi church – a place closely connected with the life story of the priest and national partisan leader Antons Juhņevičs. A memorial plaque to A. Juhņevičs has been installed next to the school.
The breakout game “Segvārds Vientulis” is an interactive military heritage tourism object dedicated to the national partisan movement in Latgale and its important figure – priest and partisan leader Antons Juhņevičs. It was created so that you can learn about the history of Latvia not only by reading and viewing the exhibition, but also by actively engaging in learning the historical story yourself.
The approximately 1 hour and 30 minute escape game is intended for students in grades 6–12, families with children, and anyone interested in learning about Latvian history in an interactive and exciting way. The game is set in two former school classrooms. One of them has been transformed into a stylized national partisan bunker, while the other is designed as a forest environment. By completing various tasks, searching for clues, and solving puzzles, participants learn about the activities of the national partisans in Latgale and the life story of Antons Juhņevičs. Some of the tasks also take place outside the school building, connecting the game's story with the Vanagi Church and its surroundings.
Next to the breakout game, there is also a “Vanagi Small Cinema”, where you can watch the documentary film “Segvārds Vientulis” staged by Normunds Pučis, episodes of which were filmed in Vanagi – in the parish house, church and its surroundings. The cinema is complemented by a large-format photo exhibition about the making of the film in Vanagi.
The breakout game "Segvārds Vientulis" is also included in the cultural education program "Latvian School Bag".
Visits are possible with prior registration by contacting the Preiļi County Tourism Development and Information Center.
At the parish house, tourist groups can sign up and taste a real national partisan meal - groats porridge cooked over a campfire.
Used sources and references:
Educational programs
Educational lesson with elements of a breakout game “Sigvärds Vientulis. Along the memorial trails of the leader of the Latgale national partisans – priest Antons Juhņevičs”
One of the saddest pages of Latvian history began in the autumn of 1944, after the Red Army entered Latvia. In Latgale, the resistance of the population to the Soviet power, the communists and their supporters began. At that time, Antons Juhņevičs worked as a priest in the Vanagi parish – an unusually bright personality who combined a sharp mind, patriotism and deep faith in God. In his church services, he called for resistance to the Soviet power, this stubbornness and faith were like a driving force for him to join the National Resistance Movement and become one of its leaders.
In the lesson, students are offered to get to know Antons Juhņevičs - to walk through his historical trails (church, parish house), in the former Vanagi Elementary School, students are offered to actively participate and learn about the historical events of that time in a breakout game, after which they can watch the staged documentary film "Segvārds Vientulis" (Pseudo-Name Vientulis), shot in 2014 by director Normunds Pučis, where several well-known actors in Latvia play historical figures in the film.
