Explore Lancenieki through its connection to school history and fairy-tale culture. The Džūkste Fairy-Tale Museum is housed in the former school building; its exhibitions explore fairy-tale themes by A. Lerhis-Puškaitis. There is also an outdoor exhibition and various activities centred on stories and theatre. The focus is therefore on both the building’s historic use as a school and the cultural themes associated with the museum today.

The school, the place and its historical periods

The Džūkste-Lancenieki School, where A. Lerhis-Puškaitis lived, is a historic site of national significance. The history of schooling goes back further: around 1850, after the first public school was established in Džūkste, a public school was also set up in Lancenieki. This links the place to the history of public education in both localities.

A precise period is recorded for a later chapter: teacher and folklorist Anss Lerhis-Puškaitis lived and worked in the school building from January 1882 to March 1903. The establishment of the public school around 1850 and his later life and work in the building can thus be viewed as distinct chapters in the history of the place.

Elements of the garden and planting laid out in the late 19th century have been preserved on the grounds. They add the garden’s historic design to the picture of the school building.

Fairy tales in the museum and outdoors

Fairy-tale themes are at the heart of the Džūkste Fairy-Tale Museum. Visitors can listen to fairy tales from Džūkste; they can also watch a puppet theatre performance and take part in it. These are different ways to engage with stories: listening, or watching and participating in a performance. The specific programmes available may vary.

The outdoor exhibition “Pa Pasaku tēva pēdām” is dedicated to folklorist Anss Lerhis-Puškaitis and his cultural heritage. The orientation game of the same name has more than 20 stations. The exhibition and game share the same title but have different focuses: the exhibition explores a person and his cultural heritage, while the game’s stations offer a different way to engage. The game’s availability and format may vary. If you would like to include it in your plans, check its availability in advance.

Which focus suits your visit?

If you are particularly interested in the history of the place, you can look at the establishment of the school, the folklorist’s later life and work, and the preserved garden features together. For fairy-tale themes, the museum offers exhibitions and storytelling; the puppet theatre adds a performance in which visitors can also take part. The orientation game, with its more than 20 stations, is another distinct format. You can choose the focus of your visit according to whether you are more interested in the history of the school site or the fairy-tale activities. If you plan to play the game, it is worth checking its availability in advance.

Discover more destinations: Zentene, Lamiņi, Tukums, Lapmežciems, Pētertāle, Tume, Rideļi, Slampe.

For the broader travel overview: Tukuma Novads.