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The “Tūrists” cafe from the North
Objects used for public dining, 1960s to the 1980s
The interior of the “Tūrists” cafe
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The “Tūrists” Cafe
The building which houses the shop and cafe known as
“Tūrists” is in the historical centre of Turaida and is a
part of Soviet architectural heritage. The building is on
the site where the Turaida Estate’s brewery, which was
built in 1827, once stood. A horse stable was installed
in the brewery during the Soviet occupation. After it
was torn down, the cafe and restaurant “Tourists” was
built. Work began in 1979 and was finished in 1982.
This is a good example of Soviet architecture. During
the summer, there is an exhibition on the second
floor of the building that is titled “The Schnitzel of
Sigulda: Public Dining in the Sigulda District
During Soviet Times.”
The Exhibition “The Schnitzel of
Sigulda: Public Dining in the Sigulda
District During Soviet Times”
This exhibition is aimed at popularising the diverse
cultural and historical heritage of the area and at
evaluating the role of the recent past therein. Public
dining is an important subject in that it relates to the
vitally important food in human lives. The exhibition
also speaks to values linked to socio-political and
economic processes.
Public dining between the 1960s and 1980s in the
Soviet Union was aimed at liberating women from
household work so that they could become involved
in public, cultural and manufacturing life, as well as at
introducing elements of collectivism in everyday life.
There were some 30 restaurants, cafes, buffets and
kiosks where food was served during the Soviet era in
and around Sigulda.
The exhibition looks at the work of chefs, waitpersons
and others, the diversity of various types of public
dining facilities, as well as the basic principles of their
work. This supplements the message of the Turaida
Museum Reserve about the millennium during which
the heritage of the Turaida historical centre has been
developed. In chronological terms, it ends with the
1980s.