Eduarda Smiļģa Teātra muzejs

About the museum

The Eduarda Smiļģa Teātra muzejs (Eduards Smiļģis Theatre Museum) is in a house in Āgenskalns where the director Eduards Smiļģis, founder of the Dailes teātris, lived. The Smiļģis family settled in this district at the end of the 19th century; at the beginning of the 20th century a building constructed by a neighbour came into the family’s possession, and Smiļģis planned its ambitious reconstruction. The architect Ernests Štālbergs and the artist Hermanis Grīnbergs took part in the work; in the house they set up an auditorium and a stage, where no public performances were held.

The building was never fully completed. It was damaged in an air raid during the Second World War, and after Smiļģis’s death in 1966 the building fell into a dilapidated state. Thanks to the initiative of the actress Lidija Freimane, the house was restored – in effect rebuilt to a design by the architect Ilgonis Stukmanis – and on 16 August 1974 the Eduarda Smiļģa Teātra muzejs was opened in it.

Today the museum is a department of the Latvijas Kultūras akadēmija (Latvian Academy of Culture). Its permanent exhibitions tell of the origins of Latvian theatre, the history of the Dailes teātris and the heritage of the Latvijas Nacionālais teātris, while the memorial rooms – the study with a library and the theatre hall – help visitors get to know Smiļģis’s personality and taste.

Highlights

• Eduards Smiļģis’s memorial rooms: the study with a library and the theatre hall
• Exhibition “Dailes teātris” (Dailes Theatre) with costumes, models and performance music
• Exhibition “Latviešu teātra pirmsākumi” (The Beginnings of Latvian Theatre)
• Exhibition “Latvijas Nacionālais teātris” (Latvian National Theatre)
• Free admission on Fridays

Permanent exhibitions

• Dailes teātris – The exhibition in several rooms shows Dailes Theatre productions, models and sketches, costumes, performance music and photographs of actors’ roles from Eduards Smiļģis’s time to the present day.
• Latviešu teātra pirmsākumi – From the first performances in Latvian in Riga to the premiere of Rainis’s play “Uguns un nakts” (Fire and Night) in 1911; the father of Latvian theatre, Ādolfs Alunāns, is especially highlighted.
• Latvijas Nacionālais teātris – The exhibition reflects the hundred-year history of the National Theatre in five thematic sections: the creation of the theatre, directors, actors, Latvian drama and its productions.

Founded

1974

Operated by

Latvijas Kultūras akadēmija

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on Fridays.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family ticket for 2 parents with 2 children; museum education and video programmes are offered for pupil groups.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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