Latvijas Nacionālais rakstniecības un mūzikas muzejs
Museum in Vecrīga presenting Latvian writers and composers in the exhibition “Prokrastinācija & Radīšana” (Procrastination & Creation); in Mežaparks there is also a Song Festival Room.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Latvian National Museum of Literature and Music traces its history back to 1925. Over the years the museum has undergone changes of name and reorganisation, but its task has remained the preservation and study of the heritage of Latvian literature and music. The museum's collection is kept in the Muzeju krātuve (Museum Depository) at Pulka iela 8 in Pārdaugava.
At present the museum shows its public exhibitions in two places. In Vecrīga, at Mārstaļu iela 6, in a historic building with five levels, is the exhibition “Prokrastinācija & Radīšana” (Procrastination & Creation). It is designed as an unusual book and shows the human side of writers and composers – their hobbies, habits and procrastination, which often becomes the path to creation. Nine thematic sections present 98 personalities from the late 19th century to the present day.
In the Lielā estrāde (Great Stage) in Mežaparks there is a permanent exhibition, “Dziesmusvētku telpa” (Song Festival Room), devoted to the Latvian tradition of song and dance festivals. Visitors can see a copy of the Līgo flag, listen to 24 of the most popular choral songs and experience the multimedia installation “Lielākais koris pasaulē” (The Largest Choir in the World). The museum also offers educational programmes, literary walks and room hire.
Highlights
- Exhibition “Prokrastinācija & Radīšana” with 98 writers and composers
- Prologue – a playful creative zone in the basement
- Song Festival Room in the Lielā estrāde, Mežaparks
- Multimedia installation “Lielākais koris pasaulē”
- Café and rest area in the mansard of the building
Permanent exhibitions
- Prokrastinācija & Radīšana – A cultural and social view of Latvian literature and music from the late 19th century to the present day, presenting 98 creators in nine sections.
- Dziesmusvētku telpa – Exhibition in the Lielā estrāde in Mežaparks on the history and continuation of the Latvian song and dance festival tradition.
- Founded
- 1925
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6students and pensioners |
| Children & teens | €3Pupils €3; pre-school children enter free. |
| Seniors | €6 |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free for persons under 18 with disabilities, persons with disability groups I, II and III, and their accompanying persons, on presentation of the disability certificate. |
| Students & apprentices | €6 |
| Groups (15+ people) | –Group leaders and guides (groups of at least 15 visitors) enter free. |
| Families | €12Family ticket 1+/3+ (1 adult with 1–4 children) €12; family ticket 2+ (2 adults with 1–4 children) €20. |
| Song Festival Room, adult | €8 |
| Song Festival Room, student or pensioner | €5 |
| Song Festival Room, pupil | €3 |
| Song Festival Room, family ticket 1+/3+ | €81 adult with 1–4 children. |
| Song Festival Room, family ticket 2+ | €162 adults with 1–4 children. |
| Annual pass, adult | €60Personalised annual ticket for visiting the exhibitions, with a 50% discount on events. |
| Annual pass, pupil, student or pensioner | €30 |
Free admission: 18 May (International Museum Day) and during the European Museum Night from 19:00
Free admission also for members of the Latvian Writers' Union and the Composers' Union, ICOM members, media representatives, orphans and children without parental care, and large families holding the Latvian Honorary Family card (on presentation of the document). Thematic events prepared by the museum have separate prices.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The building at Mārstaļu iela 6 has a wide entrance, a ramp and a portable ramp; a lift (door width 88 cm) serves all floors. Toilets for visitors with mobility impairments are on the 1st and 4th floors. The café has two steps and is not fully adapted for wheelchair users. In the Song Festival Room the 2nd floor can be reached by lift; the lift buttons are marked in Braille, floor plans have tactile information, and guided tours with sign-language interpretation are offered on request.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | €12 · Family ticket 1+/3+ (1 adult with 1–4 children) €12; family ticket 2+ (2 adults with 1–4 children) €20. |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Playground / play area
The basement contains the Prologue, with playful creative activities, musical instruments and a children's activity zone; single-seat pushchairs can be used in the exhibition, and pushchairs can be left in the cloakroom area on the 1st floor. The Song Festival Room has a community space with tasks and board games for the whole family.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Song Festival Room: buses 9 and 48 to the stop “Mežaparks / ZOO” or tram 11; Muzeju krātuve, Pulka iela 8: buses 3 and 13 to the stop “Ūdens iela” or trams 5 and 14 to the stop “Pulka sēta”.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
There is no visitor car park at the exhibition at Mārstaļu iela 6; passengers can be dropped off at the entrance. The bicycle parking is in the exhibition courtyard (entrance from Alksnāju iela 6). There is a free car park at the Muzeju krātuve.
The exhibition is located in Vecrīga, at Mārstaļu iela 6.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
- Wi-Fi
At Mārstaļu iela 6 there is a café on the 1st floor, lockable lockers and a free Wi-Fi network, “M6”; souvenirs and books are sold at the exhibition information point. In the Song Festival Room the Wi-Fi network is “RMM_viesis”.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | In the exhibition “Prokrastinācija & Radīšana” visitors can choose a guide, an audio guide or to wander freely. The museum organises workshops, lectures, literary walks and educational programmes for pupils. Tickets for events can be bought in the Mobilly app. |
