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Couple of busy days

Lilacs are in full bloom

Lilacs are in full bloom

The Lilacs are just another reminder that it is Spring here in Latvia. The cold weather broke on Sat with warmer temps and  some sunshine. We spent the morning working on molds and then took an excursion in the afternoon. The Symposium Artists, Visiting Professors and Pedvale  Officials went to Roja, a fishing village on the Baltic coast. Along the way to Roja we stopped at an ancient sacred tree from Pagan times.

Sacred Lime Tree

Sacred Lime Tree

The people of ancient Latvia were Pagans and they believed that very old trees indicated places of spiritual power. These trees are still revered in Latvia and are protected by the government. We made one more stop on the way to the coast at another ancient site. This time we visited a Viking burial. These tombs were made of stones arranged in the shape of the Viking long boat. Relatively rare in Latvia, these burial sites are found throughout the  areas populated by the Vikings.

Viking Long boat tomb

Viking Long boat tomb

The locals call this “The Devil’s Boat”

Passengers

Passengers

 

June 2, 2014 Carl Billingsley

About the author

Carl Billingsley

Professional sculptor and educator.

2 Responses to Couple of busy days

  • Stuart Kent June 2, 2014

    killer.

    Reply
  • Benjamin Billingsley June 9, 2014

    Wow – the long boat site is amazing!  Have been reading about Medieval art a lot this summer to prep for my Art History Survey I course – but you are living it!

    Reply

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