2026. On May 23, 2026, Latvia will host “Museum Night”. This year, museums will introduce visitors to the stories behind historical objects, echoing Rainis’ saying: “Even a rag was once an honourable shirt,” reminding us that every object has its own story and value.

As part of Museum Night, the Smiltene Municipality Museum at Mēri Manor will be open from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, the Drusti Museum from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and Jāzeps Vītols Memorial Museum “Anniņas” from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

“Museum Night 2026” programme in Smiltene Municipality:

At the Smiltene Municipality Museum at Mēri Manor, the adventures of historical objects have been given the title “A WALKING STICK, A TURKEY, A CHAMBER POT AND OTHER MUSEUM CREATURES AND BEINGS”.

• At 6:00 PM, visitors to the museum will be welcomed to an unconventional guided tour with game elements, where the “main characters” will be the museum’s various objects, which we refer to as creatures and beings. During the tour, both older and newer objects will share their adventures — including items we would not usually consider museum exhibits, yet which have settled in here wonderfully and have become surrounded by legends…
• At 7:00 PM, the clever minds will begin the quiz game “NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM” in the museum’s Grand Salon. Who will they be? Everyone is invited — teams can register by scanning the QR code on the poster or by filling in the online application form. Participation is free of charge, but the number of places and teams is limited. The museum warns that objects will also make an unusual appearance in the quiz questions — such is the nature of museum creatures on Museum Night.
• All museum exhibitions and displays will be open throughout the evening until 11:00 PM. In the evening light, not only glass, paintings, tapestries and silk scarves will be reflected in the artists’ association UNION 5 exhibition “The Elusive Singularity”; Laima Līvena’s poetry will come alive, veiled in watercolour, in Anita Mencendorfa’s solo exhibition MELODIES; and museum objects will also gaze out from the paintings like reflections in mirrors — immortalised there by the brushes and colours of the participants of the project “Painting Classes at the Association ‘For the Development of Smiltene Parish’”.

Admission to all Museum Night activities at the Smiltene Municipality Museum at Mēri Manor is free of charge.

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At the Drusti Museum, the evening has been given the title “OBJECTS ADORN THEMSELVES”, and the main characters of this year’s Museum Night are objects decorated according to sketches created by the well-known Drusti artist and caricaturist Jānis Rība. Jānis Rība’s artistic talent was remarkably versatile — he painted, created jewellery, designed furniture sketches, and produced slogans, greetings, place cards and posters to order. However, he remains most vividly remembered by the public as a sharp-eyed caricaturist.

• An express exhibition titled “ORNAMENTS in the Sketches, Objects and Publications of Artist and Caricaturist Jānis Rība” will be open to visitors. To enrich the evening at the museum, a special board game has been prepared using cards featuring Jānis Rība’s sketches — both ornaments and objects — as well as an opportunity to paint glazed clay coasters inspired by his ornamental designs. For those wishing to immerse themselves in quiet reflections on the harmony of colours and objects, or simply lose themselves in the world of colours, the Drusti Museum will offer a space for colouring mandala ornaments.
• Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore all of the Drusti Museum’s permanent exhibitions — showcasing the history of Drusti Parish, Drusti School, and the Drusti Manor estates.

The activities are suitable for all ages, and everyone is welcome to attend. The museum will be open from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and admission is free of charge.

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During Museum Night 2026, Jāzeps Vītols Memorial Museum “Anniņas” in Gaujiena invites visitors to look into various mirrors — and through them to see, discover, explore, experience and feel themselves.

• Throughout the evening, visitors will be able to enjoy a ride in a gently gliding boat, as well as glimpse into the past — where, at times, they may even see their own reflection. Therefore, the overarching theme of the evening’s activities is “REFLECTIONS. A JOURNEY TO THE SELF”. The museum will be open from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Admission is free of charge.

We also invite everyone to attend Museum Night events elsewhere in the municipality:

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Exhibition Hall of the Rauna Cultural and Historical Heritage Centre – Rīgas iela 2, Rauna.

“Back to the 1990s / Early 2000s”.

The centre will be open from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM:

• From 7:00 PM – opening of the exhibition “Rauna. The 90s. That’s Where We Met” — an exhibition about meeting places and leisure spots in Rauna and its surroundings during the 1990s and early 2000s. The exhibition will be open to visitors until 11:00 PM.
• From 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM – music with a 1990s vibe in the courtyard of 2 Rīgas Street, featuring DJ Salvis. Admission is free of charge.

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Latvijas mākslinieku savienības muzejs – Zvārtavas pils, Gaujienas pagasts.

Stories by painter Baron Alexander von Fersen about Zvārtava Castle.

The museum will be open from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM:

• From 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM – visitors will be able to explore the Latvian Artists’ Union Museum exhibitions of ceramics, textile art and sculpture, as well as discover the Neo-Gothic architecture of Zvārtava Castle.
• At 7:00 PM and again at 8:00 PM – guided tours through the exhibitions of Zvārtava Castle and an opportunity to explore its architectural details.
• At 7:30 PM – a presentation on the artistic work of painter Baron A. Fersen, and a meeting with researcher and architect Ruta Dobičina.
• From 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM – creative workshops led by artists and games inspired by the art exhibitions.

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“Zvaigzne ABC” Bookstore– Kalēju iela 7, Smiltene.

• The bookstore will be open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM:
• From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM – face painting for children.

 

See you at the museums of Smiltene Municipality on May 23 — the night when objects speak!

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Written by: Vita Blate, Head of Educational Work and Visitor Services at the Smiltene Municipality Museum, and the Communications Department.