Likteņdārzs receives a valuable gift from Latvian farmers

The Garden of Destiny, which is being created by the “Koknese Foundation” with the support of many people and organizations, has received a valuable donation from the combined farms of the “Farmers' Council” association – thanks to donations from several dozen farmers, the Garden of Destiny was presented with a powerful lawnmower.

Sandra Kalniete, Member of the European Parliament, Chairwoman of the Koknese Foundation Council: “People who visit the Garden of Destiny are happy about its well-groomed lawns, but few realize that mowing the lawn is one of the most time-consuming jobs in the garden. That is why we turned to the Farmers' Council with a request, because who knows better than farmers what equipment is needed to maintain a 12-hectare lawn in order. We are grateful to every farm and SIA "DOJUS Latvija" for the donated lawn mower, which the garden employees have already called a "precious item". We keep the Garden of Destiny beautiful and well-groomed in all seasons, and the donation from the Farmers' Council members will make our daily work easier".

Maira Dzelzkalēja-Burmistre, Deputy Chairwoman of the Board of the Association “Farmers' Council”: “It is important for us to have a place like Likteņdārzs, which honors people who were exiled abroad during the Soviet occupation. Among these people were also many farming families who left behind empty houses and neglected farms. Although today there are hardworking people who undertake to restore these abandoned houses, there are still many ruins visible in the countryside of those buildings that never met their owners. But such was the price for Latvia to be an independent country. Therefore, we are making this donation to Likteņdārzs in honor of the 30th anniversary of the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia. May Likteņdārzs continue to be well-maintained and carry forward the memory of these people.”

Photos from the donation reception are uploaded at this link: https://failiem.lv/u/svkk5sju

Likteņdārzs is a popular place for walks and is open to visitors even during the current state of emergency, while the Koknese Foundation reminds that the restrictions set by the government regarding both gatherings and social distancing must be strictly observed. For the safety of visitors, access to the children's playground and viewing terrace in Likteņdārzs is limited during the state of emergency, while all other objects are free to view.

The Garden of Destiny is a unique memorial site built with donations, named after the world-renowned Japanese landscape architect Shunmjō Masuno (Masuno Shunmyō) is being built on an island in the Daugava River near Koknese under the supervision of the architect Andris Kronbergs. The Garden of Destiny is protected by a special Law on the Garden of Destiny adopted by the Saeima in 2018. The Garden of Destiny is being created as a garden of bright remembrance, where the resilience and strength of spirit of the Latvian people are celebrated. It is dedicated to the memory of all Latvians who died or suffered in the 20th century due to foreign powers. The garden combines an outstanding cultural landscape, architecture with the beauty of the nature of the Koknese peninsula and the Daugava. Every year, 70,000 - 100,000 guests visit the Garden of Destiny, of which approximately 30% are children and young people.