Nothing in the country is in progress if there is no public participation. The association "Latvian Folk Art Union" was founded in 2002 to promote the development of the sector, explaining the importance of the intangible cultural heritage, including the conservation, the development and inheritance of different craft skills.

The association “Latvian Folk Art Union” (further – LFAU) has been a member of fully rights of European Folk art and Craft Federation since the year 2007. EFACF – European Folk Art and Craft Federation – was founded in 1972 and its members are non profit organization with a clear aim to promote and work for folk art and craft. The network aims to strengthen contact between craftsmen in European countries in the context of exchange of skills and knowledge. Today the Federation is a network consisting of 12 European organizations in 11 different countries. . Every year there is a members meeting in one of the member countries, and every third year the general assembly is held.

“LFAU has given a important contribution in maintenance of the Federation by among other hosting and organizing the General Assembly twice, latest in July 2008” /S.T.Grinder/

EFACF General Assembly Riga, Latvia (5-7 July 2018)

LFAU organized the EFACF GA in the “RITUMS” Centre of Culture and Folk Art in Riga, Latvia. The General assembly elects the General Secretary, Board of three persons, Auditors and electoral committee. Delegates from 8 countries are together discussing future possibilities for networking and cooperation. On EFACF GA Agenda was: the concert of the Dance Festival was held at Daugava Stadium; panorama from St.Peter Church tower; guided visit of the Folk Applied Art Exhibition of the Song and Dance Festival; guided visit of the Festival of traditional Folk Applied Art crafts and folk productions – Fair in the Garden “Vermane”.

EFACF General Assembly Bratislava , Slovakia (4-5 September 2015)

LFAU participated in the EFACF General Assembly conference in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Between September 4th and 6th September 2015, Bratislava ÚĽUV, Centre for Folk Art Production, was held the Meeting of the EFACF member countries. Slovakia, represented by ÚĽUV is EFACF member since 1994. EFACF General Assembly was held in The Centre for Folk Art Production (ÚĽUV) in Bratislava, Slovak Republic. Announced countries of General Assembly: Slovakia, Austria, Italy (non-member), Denmark, Latvia, Estonia, Norway, Finland, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Iceland (non-member) and Sweden. On EFACF GA agenda was: guided visit of the exhibition “OUR STORY”- 70’s anniversary of ÚĽUV; visiting the festival of traditional crafts and folk productions, Craftsmen Days ÚĽUV and reception at the occasion of Master of folk Art Production Award. In EFACF GA meeting - It is highlighted date for the EFACF meeting in Latvia in 2018.

11th of November till 18^th January The “Riga 2014” exhibition “Surprising Lace” was held in St. Peter’s Church from the, presenting works by artists, designers and craftsmen inspired by themes and motifs in traditional and folk art. The broad range of the exhibits includes old, new, authentic, intricate and not so intricate designs, including ones inspired by other cultures.

Artists, designers, experts from traditional applied art studios, craftsmen from twelve countries will participate in the exhibition, including 25 international artists representing Finland, Germany, Norway, Bulgaria, England, France, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Ireland, Georgia, as well as 81 artists from Latvia.

Nothing exists on its own in culture. It starts in every one of us, from very simple things to such complex concepts as family, work, and the environment we live in, relationships, striving for knowledge and art – everything that is integral part of our lives. The international exhibition “Surprising Lace” follows up on this principle, focusing on us, the people, our skills and inexhaustible creativity in various arts, design, architecture and crafts.

The exhibition explores several themes: ethnography, crafts and traditional arts, art and design, classical lace, architecture and urban environment, fashion design and lace, and nature. The curator and author of the artistic concept of the exhibition is Dagmāra Prīberga, Dr. sc. ing. (idea, content, management). The exhibition’s creative goup, headed by Mārtiņš Heimrāts, Mg. art. (exhibition design), includes Deputy Director of St. Peter’s Church Una Jansone (technical matters and organisational environment), artist Katrīna Neiburga, Mg. art. (installations, multimedia), artists Baiba Vaivare, Mg. art., Dace Pudāne, Mg. art., Juris Leitāns, Mg. art., Aiva Bumbure, Mg. art. and Gita Prīberga, Mg. sc. ing.

Exhibition “New Art and Interdisciplinary Co-operation in Arts and Crafts” will be held from the 19th to 21st of November as part of the exhibition. The experience of interdisciplinary collaborations differs from one country to another. The main themes at the conference will deal with examples of good practice of interdisciplinary co-operation in Latvia and Europe, preconditions for viable and mutually advantageous co-operation between specialists in various arts.

The European Capital of Culture Programme of Riga is prepared and run by the foundation “Riga 2014” in collaboration with state, municipal and non-governmental cultural organisations and creative associations. The Programme is financed by the Riga City Council, Ministry of Culture and the European Commission, and offered to the public in partnership with “Lattelecom”, which also provides technical support for the Programme.

The international European CONFERENCE “SURPRISING LACE. ART&CRAFT CREATIVITY IN EUROPE” „INNOVATION AND AN INTERDISCIPLINARY COOPERATION IN ART&CRAFT“ 19th – 21st NOVEMBER 2014, RIGA

The International exhibition “SURPRISING LACE. AJOUR IN ART&CRAFT” and the International Culture. Conference “Innovation and an interdisciplinary cooperation in ART& CRAFT”, which takes place during the exhibition, correspond to the Force Majeure guidelines and is organizes as the European Capital of Culture, Riga 2014 event.

The aim of the conference is to achieve good international publicity, create new European cultural cooperation networks and provide a fresh perspective on cultural events. In accordance with current efforts in Europe and in the world, to the art and craft of sustainable development and on the preservation of cultural heritage, at the conference will take place in the discussions and exchange of views on the common cultural aspects and the interaction of different cultural sectors in Latvia and in Europe, as well as – the world. 12 international and local experts of arts and crafts will share their experience and knowledge in the field of traditional and contemporary modern arts and crafts, the conservation of cultural heritage and experience of inheritance, about the positive and negative trends, challenges, innovation and interdisciplinary cooperation competitive art and craft work in the creation of art science, skilled trades, business and other areas of the source and the source of inspiration for the traditional folk history and culture

EFACF General Assembly meeting in Riga (18 November 2014)

LFAU organized the EFACF GA in the “Avalon Hotel” in Riga, Latvia. Latvia as one of the 10 EFACF member states accounted for its institution-level activities in the conservation and development of traditional crafts from 2012-2014.  Organizational responsibilities for this meeting were made, and LFAU was elected as the next Board Election Representative in Bratislava in September 2015. Delegates from members’ countries are together discussing future possibilities for networking and cooperation. On EFACF GA Agenda - International European Conference “Surprising lace. Art&Craft creativity in Europe” “Innovation and an interdisciplinary cooperation in Art&Craft””, International exhibition “Surprising lace. Ajour in Art&Craft”; the Festival of light “Staro Rīga”.

INNOCRAFT (17th-20th June 2014)

6th Interregional Training Session and Study visit of project INNOCRAFT was held in Riga (Latvia), at the "Maza Gilde", an historical building situated in the centre of the city originally used by the chamber of craftsmen as a meeting point.The official welcome of the Riga city council was brought to the partners by the Deputy Mayor Andris Amerkis.

7 good practices centered on the theme of Promotion of entrepreneurship among specific target groups were presented during the morning session of wednesday:

The local enterprise "Ambline" presented its production based on an original textile product realized with amber fiber. The presentation of Artex of "Bottega scuola" focused on the importance of rising the interest among young generation towards the field of artistic craftsmanship. The National Associacion of Italian Municipalities Tuscany presented "The TEXMEDIN" a design challenge whose main objectives are to find a common way to preserve and digitalize textile heritage, integrating tradition with fashion and design know-how. The National Institute of Arts and Crafts (FR) presented the business incubator project "Union des couveuses". Then was the turn of the Public Foundation "the Legacy of al-Andalus", with a project aimed at the creation of jobs in critic sector to fight against job insecurity.

The municipality of Florence presented "Contemporaneamente" a cultural and artistic event that brings together citizens tourists and craftsman in open temporary shops where it is possible to see craftmans work and their production.

The afternoon session comprised several study visits. Partners visited the "Maza Gilde" studios and the Latvian National Costumes Centre "Sena klets", fashion house "Salons A", Folk applied art studio "Barbele" and the design concept studio Dandelion".

The second day, after the Project Steering Group Meeting, five more good practices centered on the fourth theme of INNOCRAFTS were presented: Region Femme, by the Slovak Chamber of Commerce and industry, Art Pauma, by the Chamber of Commerce of Barcellona, Crafted by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, The Youth Entrepreneurship Market and the Study Enterprise by the Burgas Municipality, and "The development of the arts and crafts tourism offer" by Reims city council.

During the afternoon, the group had the opportunity to visit the Latvian Ethnographic Open-air Museum and assist to several crafts workshops.

EFACF meeting in Helsinki, Finland (26-27 September 2013)

The 100th anniversary of the Finnish Crafts Organization culminates in an international seminar with lectures themed on sustainable development, Finno-Ugrian ethnicity and the welbeing effects of crafts.

EFACF meeting was held in the Finish Crafts Organization office. On Agenda was – Seminar day in Jyväskylä (including presentations of wedding as fashion show, traditions and innovations in the folk costumes of Finno- Ugrian people; Sustainable crafts; Why brain researchers would recommend crafts?); Visit Crafts Museum of Finland; visit to the Crafts Centre Aivia; Höyry-galleria art gallery and 15^th anniversary exhibition of Finnish Felt Association Filtti.

Latvia, as one of the 10 EFACF member states, reports on the progress made at the level of its institution in the conservation and development of traditional crafts from 2011 to 2013. The minutes of the meeting were held as well as the next meeting of the Board of EFACF in Latvia - Riga in autumn 2014.

Project “Regional cooperation for crafts’ development” REGIO CRAFTS– INTERREG IVC (2013)

LFAU had been invited as an expert on this project – Round Table discussions:

“Innovation and design in crafts” (22 March 2013, Liepāja);

“Crafts Education – opportunities, prestige and future perspective” (12 April 2013, Valmiera);

“Marketing and opportunities for internationalization in crafts” (26 April 2013, Riga);

“Ancient crafts skills – their transfer and preservation. Problems and opportunities”(10 May, Līvāni);

“Crafts and Creative Industries” (31 May 2013, Bauska).

Project priority: Innovation and the knowledge economy. The:Entrepreneurship and SMEs. Partnership - Latvia (Zemgale Planning Region, Jelgava), Spain (Public Foundation the Legacy of Al-andalus, Granada), Netherlands (Foundation Kulturele Haadsted 2018, Leeuwarden), Bulgaria (Regional Association of Municipalities Central Stara Planina, Gabrovo), Greece (Municipality of Paggaio, Paggaio) and Portugal (Cascais Town Hall, Cascais – Lisbon). 

Riga Days in Moscow (November 2012)

As part of the Riga Days, the Riga City Council Education, Culture and Sports Department in cooperation with LFAU organized an exhibition "Riga Masters". The exhibition was viewed at the Moscow City Museum from 14 November to 16 December 2012.

Project INNOCRAFTS (2012-2014)

On August 1, the LFAU International Affairs Coordinator G.Prīberga, is nominated for work on the project INNOCRAFTS European Union Structural Funds Objective 3 “European Territorial Cooperation” under the Interregional Cooperation Programme “INTERREG IVC 2007-2013”. With the invitation of the RD IKSD, the Latvian Folk Art Union participates in joint interregional seminars and study visits

EFACF GA and Conference in Stockholm, Sweden (August 2012)

In 2012, celebrating the Swedish Handicrafts Organization 100-years anniversary.

August 18-20 - LFAU participates in the conference of the EFACF General Assembly in Stockholm, Sweden and report on the progress made in the Latvian National Art Union for the last three years. As part of this meeting, the EFACF Board was re-elected, the new Statute was adopted, and Gita Prīberga, a representative of the LFAU, was elected to the Election Commission. The organization of an international conference on artistic craft development issues was highlighted in Latvia in 2014.

On Agenda – visit to see the extensive exhibition of weaving at Nordiska museet, Sweden’s largest museum of cultural history; visit to see the Swedish Handicraft 100 Years exhibition at Liljevalchs arts Centre; visit to see the Lilli and the Prince exhibition at Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde museum of art Jubilee celebration (approximately 800 guests)

EFACF GA and Conference in Stockholm, Sweden (August 2012)

In 2012, celebrating the Swedish Handicrafts Organization 100-years anniversary.

August 18-20 - LFAU participates in the conference of the EFACF General Assembly in Stockholm, Sweden and report on the progress made in the Latvian National Art Union for the last three years. As part of this meeting, the EFACF Board was re-elected, the new Statute was adopted, and Gita Prīberga, a representative of the LFAU, was elected to the Election Commission. The organization of an international conference on artistic craft development issues was highlighted in Latvia in 2014.

On Agenda – visit to see the extensive exhibition of weaving at Nordiska museet, Sweden’s largest museum of cultural history; visit to see the Swedish Handicraft 100 Years exhibition at Liljevalchs arts Centre; visit to see the Lilli and the Prince exhibition at Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde museum of art Jubilee celebration (approximately 800 guests)

International Conference and ART&CRAFT exhibition Europe 2012 in Slovenia and Austria

On 19 April, an International Conference about future challenges that surround creativity in Europe was held at Gradecas Mladinski Culture Centre, which was one of the largest cultural events in Slovenia under the “Maribor – European Capital of Culture (ECC Maribor 2012)” project. LFAU show the presentation and read the paper “Folk Applied Art and Traditional Crafts in Latvia” (participation in the project is financially supported by VKKF).

From 18 April to 31 May, LFAU with 9 masters for 13 works, participated in the International ART&CRAFT 2012 EUROPE exhibition in the City of Gradeca, Slovenia. “La Koroska Art Gallery”, in Slovenia, accepted this exhibition and later took it to the city of Klagenfurt, Austria.
During the time of exhibition, there were numerous international events.

International Conference Ornament – Tallinn (12 – 13 November 2011)

On 12-13 November 2011, an International Conference was held in Tallinn, Estonia, under the theme “Ornament - Key to the World”. As part of this conference, there was a meeting with EFACF. Gita Prīberga, on behalf of LFAU issued a report on the topics of popular art in Latvia, and Dagmāra Prīberga presented the conference participants with the science paper “Ornament as Identity”.

On the Agenda – Presentations: Ornament – timeless ad ancient soul landscapes as sources of inspiration for new design (Kart Summatavet, Estonia); Finnish ryiju – picture, ornament, pure art (Leena Svinhufvud, Finland); Slovak Folk Tradition and Contemporary Design (Olga Danglova, Slovakia); From past to future – Icelandic Sjonabok (Solveig Thedoorsdottir and Freya Kristjandsdottir, Island); Natural fibers work in France: cotton, silk, hemp and flax (Catherine Virassamy, France); The life of the mitten knitter in a modern world (Kristi Joeste, Estonia); Estonian Folk Costume and Fasion (Piret Puppart, Estonia); Presentation of the Folk costumes; The Hidden Vitality of Ornamental Thnikins (Kristina Rajando, Estonia); Ornaments and Inspiration and visual element in Norwegians Arts and Craft (Bodil Akserwoll. Norway); Ornament – Lace identity and originality (Dagmāra Prīberga, Latvia); Living handicraft in Kihnu (Mare Matas, Estonia); Instrument maker in a pinch (Heino Tartes, Estonia).

Demonstrations of the Estonians National Clothes, Visit exhibition “Ornament – Key to the World. Tradition” in Estonian National Library, Visit exhibition “Collection “The Wedding. Grey every – day”” in Estonian History Museum, Visit exhibition “Ornament  - Key to the World. Design” in Gallery of Design and architecture; Visit the exhibition “Jeweler Keiu Kulles. National Jewelery” in Estonian Handicraft House.

Riga Days in St.Petersburg (October 2011)

LFAU, in cooperation with the Riga City Council organized the exhibition of Folk Applied Art “Riga Masters” during the Riga Days in St.Petersburg, in the Ethnographic Museum of Russia.

International Conference in Hungary (August 2011)

LFAU represented Latvia at the 25th Folk Art Festival in Budapest, Hungary. Crafts masters from all three Baltic countries – Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia – were invited as special guests.

International Conference in Croatia (October 2010)

Between October 3 and October 6, with a partial financial support from VKKF, Dagmāra Prīberga, chairman of the LFAU board, together with scientists from Riga Technical University, represented Latvia at 5th International conference “The Magical World of Textiles” in Croatia. D.Prīberga participates in a conference with a scientific publication and a paper entitled “The systematization and classification of Laces in the territory of Latvia”.

LFAU in exchange of experience with masters of folk art in Lithuania (September 2009)

LFAU representatives went in exchange for experience with folk applied art masters to Lithuania. The meeting took place in Vilnius, the Centre for Culture and Folk applied arts, where a Lithuania folk art exhibition was also visit.

International Conference in Slovakia (August 2009)

During the period from 27 August to 30 August 2009 LFAU participated in a conference organized by EFACF in Bratislava, Slovakia. LFAU present the report on the progress made in the Latvian National Art Union for the last two years, after the vote on the accession of Latvia as a Member State to this international organization in 2007.

International Lace Festival – exhibition in Hungary (April 2009)

From 23 April to 26 April 2009, members of the Folk Applied Art Studio “Bārbele” (Riga) and Folk Applied Art Studio “Saulīte” (Valka) participated in 10th an International Lace Festival in Kishkunhalasha, Hungary.

International Conference “Traditional Textiles in Latvia” (July 2008)

Between 10 July and 12 July 2008, the LFAU organizes an International Conference “Traditional Textiles in Latvia” in Riga, the National Museum of History. Representatives of organizations attended the conference from Finland, Slovakia, Estonia, Sweden, and Denmark. As part of the conference, participants met with the Latvian masters, attended the Ethnographic Outdoor Museum, as well as the final concerts of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival Celebration. The Estonian Folk Arts Union, with its costume collections, participates in fashion parades organized by LFAU as part of the folk applied art exhibition “Es vidū”. EFACF board meeting was held at Folk Applied art studio “Bārbele”.