Gauja Raftsmen Festival in Strenči

Strenči is situated alongside the River Gauja. Already since old times forestry has been one of the main activities at this locality. Previously wood materials were transported by logging them as rafts or loose downstream. River logging is the oldest type of wood materials transport in the world. River logging ended at the beginning of 1970s due to the transport development. The traditional occupation of local people disappeared, similar as raft making and river logging skills. In 1998, the first Gauja Raftsmen Festival was organized, inviting all former rafters and their successors to collectively restore and promote this tradition that was so characteristic to Vidzeme region. Each year Strenči Municipality creates a working group (6-7 employees) to organize the festival. The local government cooperates with the society “Gaujas plostnieki” and local entrepreneurs. Their objective is to preserve the intangible heritage of Vidzeme, promote the old river logging craft and honour the old raftsmen and their successors, as well as create the identity and international recognition of Strenči provincial town regarding this tradition.
Main beneficiaries are visitors, mainly residents, raftsmen, their children and relatives: 400–1000 people. The festival is also visited by guests, mainly local tourists. Approximately 20% of all visitors of this event are foreign tourists who are related to river logging in other countries and to the International Timber Raftsmen Association.