Alūksne Museum Museum
201
The Alūksne Museum is located in an architectural monument of national significance: the neo-Gothic Alūksne New Castle built in the late 19th century. The museum features an exhibition named ‘Memorial Room for Victims of the Totalitarian Regime’, which tells about the fate of the inhabitants of Alūksne municipality in Siberia and the Far East, while the time periods from prehistory to the present meet in the Alūksne history exhibit ‘Feast of the Ages’. It features a separate section devoted to the contribution of the 7th Sigulda Infantry Regiment to the military, culture and public life. The formation of the 7th Sigulda Infantry Regiment began on 20 June 1919 in the Naukšēni Manor. Initially, a battle group of 22 officers and 1,580 soldiers was formed from the reserve battalion of the Northern Latvian Brigade, and was named the Dankers Division. It was included in the 2nd Battalion of the 3rd Jelgava Regiment. On 23 August, following an increase in the number of companies, it became part of the 7th Sigulda Infantry Regiment. Having taken part in the battles against Bermondt, on 5 January 1920, the regiment was transferred to the Latgale front to fight the Bolsheviks. After the signing of the Peace Treaty with Soviet Russia, the regiment guarded Latvia’s eastern border. The Latvian War of Independence saw the deaths of more than 200 soldiers of the regiment, while 85 were awarded the Lāčplēsis War Order. In 1921, the 7th Sigulda Infantry Regiment was stationed in Alūksne. The regiment’s headquarters were set up in the Alūksne New Castle. After World War II, the castle was taken over by Soviet security institutions. As of the late 1950s, the castle housed various cultural institutions: the Culture and Cinematography Department of the Executive Committee, a pioneer house, a library, a cinema and a museum.
Used sources and references:
Aluksne Tourism Information Center
Educational programs
Military heritage in Alūksne county museum
The Alūksne New Palace, which was once the home of the 7th Sigulda Infantry Regiment, now houses the Alūksne County Museum, where students learn about the history of Alūksne and the importance of the army in its growth in the "Memorial Room of Victims of the Totalitarian Regime" expositions, which tells about the fate of the residents of Alūksne County in Siberia and the Far East , but in the exposition of the history of Alūksne "Feast of the Ages" it will be interesting to learn how time periods from prehistory to the present meet. A separate chapter is dedicated to the contribution of the 7th Sigulda Infantry Regiment in the military, cultural and social life.
Theatrical-educational performance with participation "Five fate stories"
The program promotes students' understanding of the course of deportations carried out by the Soviet authorities, the life of Latvians in exile, emphasizing the preservation of national identity and the consequences of deportations in the development of Latvian history and culture. During the lesson, students will be involved in learning the fate stories of five different characters who experienced deportation events. The stories of the fate of the deported children will be acted out by the museum staff, involving students in the lesson. Under the strict supervision of the Red Army, the participants will have to find the missing fragments in the diaries of the repressed, orient themselves in the sentence written in Russian, find an encrypted text, read it in mirror script, analyze the photo material and look for answers to unclear questions. The tragedy of the time of deportations will be accentuated by the uncomfortable working conditions, the unavailability of materials, contradictory, unconditional demands, the non-compliance of which was punished during the deportations. During the program, students learn to see, discover and analyze causal relationships in historical processes and use them to explain social processes. Finds out the changes that took place during the deportations and concludes how they are related to the political situation in Latvia and the world. Analyzes factors affecting change. Learns to cooperate with peers, to use various material sources. During the program, students learn to recognize and offer solutions in situations where people's physical and emotional safety are threatened, to discuss the moral and ethical aspects of the value of life. Skills are learned to demonstrate behavior that expresses respect and personal responsibility for the safety and well-being of oneself and others in ambiguous situations. The duration of the program is 60 min. It can also take place during trips to schools.
Related timeline
Related topics
Related stories
Awarding of the 7th Sigulda Infantry Regiment in bermontiad, awarding of the great soldier Valija Veščūnas with the Lāčplēsis War Order in Alūksne
After the Latvian War of Independence, the great soldier Valija Veščunas was awarded the Lāčplēsis War Order for the November 19, 1919 battles with the Bermontians at the Plan House. Valija Veshchun was one of the first to cross the Lielupe under the fire of the enemy.
About the Latvian War of Independence and the events of 1918 in Aluksne
In 1918, when German troops entered Alūksne, Latvian rifle battalions retreated to Soviet Russia. Until the beginning of December 1918, the German regime was established and reorganized. After Germany succumbed to the war, the Bolsheviks returned to Aluksne and regained power. During the Latvian War of Independence, Finnish volunteers also fought in the Estonian army. On February 21, 1919, fierce battles took place between the Bolsheviks and the Finnish Volunteer Regiment "Northern Boys" in Aluksne, near the station.
7. Formation of Sigulda Infantry Regiment
On June 20, 1919, in the Naukšēni manor, near Rūjiena, the formation of the 7th Sigulda Infantry Regiment was started, according to the order of the Commander of the Northern Latvia Brigade, Colonel Jorgs Zemitans. Initially, a small battle group of 22 officers and 1,580 soldiers was formed from the Northern Latvian Brigade Reserve Battalion, which was named the Danker Division in honor of its first commander, Oskars Dankers. A few days later, the unit was included in the 2nd Battalion of the 3rd Jelgava Regiment, but on August 23, adding to the number of jewelry - in the 7th Sigulda Infantry Regiment.