Forester’s House ‘Vaivariņi’ in Gaujiena Reborn After Restoration; Opens for Home Café Days in August
Edgars Butāns and Lelde Ģiga have spent five years restoring the 120-year-old forester’s house ‘Vaivariņi’ in Gaujiena, preserving historical features. On August 8–9, the property will take part in the Home Café Days, offering homemade food and nature activities.
In the remote outskirts of Gaujiena parish, three kilometers from the village, stands the more than 120-year-old forester’s house ‘Vaivariņi’. Its current owners, Riga residents Edgars Butāns and Lelde Ģiga, purchased the property in autumn 2019 and have since undertaken a thorough restoration.
Edgars, who works in communications and marketing, recalls that initially he planned only cosmetic repairs, but the work grew far more extensive. The foundation had to be completely rebuilt – the house stood on jacks for nearly a month – while walls, floors, and all three non-functioning stoves were renovated. The owners aimed to preserve authenticity: the interior retains the original bread stove painted white and other historic elements.
The estate covers six hectares and includes a fish pond. Edgars admits that restoring a country house is an expensive but gripping hobby, quipping that “a man needs a house to work on.”
This year, on August 8–9, ‘Vaivariņi’ – also called the Forester’s House – will participate in the Home Café Days for the second time. Visitors can enjoy dishes prepared by Lelde: meat or mushroom burgers in homemade bread, fried Baltic herring, Tates honey cake, crème brûlée, and breakfast sweet and savory waffles. Also available are fishing in the pond and a map/guide to the nearby Kalamecu–Markuzu ravines – nationally protected geological landmarks with waterfalls and dolomite outcrops.
The hosts note that they can accommodate up to ten guests at a time, so advance booking is required. The renovation journey can be followed on Instagram @mezsarga_ma-ja. Edgars and Lelde hope their example inspires others to preserve the historical spirit of country houses while creating new traditions.
