LRT prepares third episode on preserving Latgale's cultural-historical heritage

Latgale Regional Television (LRT) is continuing production of its series "Latgale's Treasure Chest – Revival II," a follow-up to an earlier project documenting Latgale's cultural heritage, traditions and the people who preserve them.

Restoration work in Ludza and Pasiene

The third episode focuses on the restoration and preservation of old wooden buildings, architectural details and art valuables — work that requires craftsmen's expertise, time and funding. Viewers will be introduced to the Ludza Regional Studies Museum, where the workshop of well-known ceramicist Polikarps Vilcāns is being restored. Together with restorer Vilnis Gavars, the episode examines the building's history, the restoration process and traditional construction techniques, while also highlighting Ludza's historic wooden architecture and the challenges involved in preserving it.

The episode also visits the Roman Catholic Church of St. Dominic in Pasiene, where parish priest Vitālijs Filipenoks will discuss efforts to preserve cultural-historical valuables. Over the past year, the church's historic doors, paintings and other valuables have been restored, and work is gradually being planned to preserve and restore a unique 18th-century organ. The episode also looks at the fate of the Pasiene monastery building and efforts to protect it from further deterioration, underscoring the importance of both securing funding and involving local residents.

The episode airs September 27 at 4:30 pm on TV24, with a repeat broadcast September 28, and also on the ReTV channel the same day. Episodes are also available on LRT's website, Facebook, YouTube and the xtv.lv platform. The project is funded by the Media Support Fund from the Latvian state budget.