Primary objectives and activities for safeguarding of the Suiti cultural space were stated in the nomination, and results have been achieved in relation to each of them.
(1) To enhance and ensure preservation of the Suiti ICH and its transfer at the levels of pre-school, general, interest and vocational education, as well as through lifelong learning.
Pre-school children are introduced to traditional Suiti music, and local cultural studies are established as optional in general education. Pupils are involved in the cultural research work, and Suiti traditions are introduced in music and visual art studies. The camp “Suitu tradīciju skoliņa” [The Little School of Suiti Traditions], organised each summer for children and youth, has attracted increasing interest. Meanwhile, folklore groups, ethnographic ensembles and dance groups contribute significantly for bringing different generations together.
(2) To ensure urgent safeguarding measures for protection, revitalisation and popularisation of the endangered elements of the Suiti ICH.
The significance of wearing a traditional costume, inter alia, for services, has become stronger, and the number of those acquiring the skills of making costumes has increased significantly. Certain traditional forms of music have been revitalised, and Suiti ethnographic ensembles have introduced the use of drone singing in religious chants.
(3) To facilitate research and publicity about the Suiti ICH.
Owing to the initiative of the community, a massive accumulation of testimonies of the Suiti cultural heritage, including ancient elements of the traditional costume, handiworks, has been commenced, surveying the testimonies kept at Suiti homes, stocks of archives and museums. “Suitu mantojuma krātuve” [Suiti Heritage Repository] has been opened in premises of the ECC “Suiti”, offering tangible testimonies of the Suiti culture for public display. In 2010 the third international drone singing festival took place.
(4) To ensure recovery and restoration of buildings representing historic and cultural value necessary for activities of preservation and popularisation of the Suiti ICH.
During the reporting period the renovation of the Alsunga Livonian Order Castle - important Suiti cultural centre - was commenced and the castle is open to visitors, Basi and Jūrkalne cultural centres have been completely renovated, and renovation of the interior of Alsunga cultural centre has been performed, thus restoring significant centres of Suiti cultural life for the acquisition, practising and promotion of Suiti ICH expressions.
(5) To ensure long-term sustainability of the Suiti cultural space.
During the preceding four years activities in relation to long-term safeguarding of the Suiti cultural space, under the conditions of limited financial resources, were mainly implemented in the field of preservation of the cultural environment and protection of sacred heritage. Restoration of Suiti churches as buildings of cultural and historical significance and the cultural values therein were supported, and several cultural objects existing in the Suiti cultural space were recognised as cultural monuments.

Safeguarding activities of the Suiti cultural space during the reporting period were directed towards achieving the primary objectives as stated (see Section B.3a).
(1)
Pre-school children have opportunity to acquire kokle-playing (since 2012), mostly based upon contribution of a local tradition bearer. Alsunga Secondary School joined the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (2009–2011) focusing on safeguarding of ICH – pupils and teachers participated in seminars and expeditions. Suiti local cultural studies were introduced in school curriculum, every year being acquired by on average 40 pupils. Methodical materials and textbooks are currently being drawn up. Suiti culture is integrated in several subjects – the Latvian language and literature, history of Latvia, geography, culturology, housekeeping and technologies, visual art, music, social sciences, as well as class meetings. However, it is difficult to find appropriate time in curricula for getting acquainted with Suiti cultural elements. Playing of ethnographic kokle was introduced in Alsunga Music School in 2010 in co-operation with Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, and 8 instruments – kokles – were ensured. In turn, the course “Traditional Culture” was integrated in visual art studies, applying innovative methodology.
Each year summer camp for children and youth “Suitu tradīciju skoliņa” [The Little School of Suiti Traditions] is organised, and on average 30 children and young persons mainly from amongst Suiti participate therein. The school offers to acquire Suiti traditions and history by going to museums and having practical lessons. The camp has boosted the interest of children and youth, as well as parents.
Involvement of children and youth in folklore and dance groups is active – they are participating in festivities, concerts and competitions. Suiti ethnographic ensembles and dance groups have vast performance experience in local annual and religious festivities and international folklore festivals. Suiti ethnographic ensembles are very recognisable in Latvia. The performance of liturgical chants in drone singing introduced by Suiti has become popular and performed by the ensemble “Suitu sievas” in various places in Latvia. New participants joined “Suitu sievas”, in turn, the number of participants of ensembles “Gudenieku suiti” and “Maģie suiti” has reduced, due to the change of generations, and decrease of the number of local residents.
(2)
The summer solstice traditions and festive gatherings, services and concerts have been jointly organised in Alsunga, Jūrkalne, Gudenieki as well as Basi. Country band “Suitu muzikanti” was created in Alsunga in 2010, restoring the traditional forms of playing music in annual and town festivities. In turn, traditional ensemble “Basu suiti” commenced activities in Basi in 2011. Due to insufficient human and financial resources tradition of playing bagpipes has not been restored, however, certain self-instruction training has been commenced.
Suiti wedding traditions are mainly practised in the activities of ethnographic ensembles. Interest regarding Suiti wedding traditions is observed also outside the community, however, it is less consistent in the community itself, and weddings based on Suiti traditions is rather rare within the scope of the Suiti cultural space.
Creative workshop “Austuve” in Alsunga increased the number of looms, traditional costumes are made, including for local dance groups of children and youth, as well as middle generation. Association “Suitu amatnieki” has organised Suiti traditional costume workshops – sowing of bonnets (aube), knitting of socks, making of pearled collars and wristbands (dūrgali). Permanent exposition of Suiti costumes in Alsunga Museum, and several exhibitions dedicated to Suiti handiwork were organised.
(3)
“Suitu mantojuma krātuve” [Suiti Heritage Repository] established by the ECC “Suiti” includes the elements of Suiti traditional costume, and on that basis a detailed publication regarding its wearing practice will be issued. Educating seminars and exhibitions of works of Suiti artisans have been organised, including in community festivities. As for singing traditions, the third international drone singing festival took place in 2010. Comparatively small funding was available for organising it, and it would be preferable to attract wider attendance. The next festival is planned in 2014.
During the last four years, several publications on the Suiti culture have been issued, namely on kokle playing traditions, pupils' participation in field work on Suiti culture, Suiti culinary heritage and dialect use. A catalogue of Suiti traditional costumes is being prepared, and several videos regarding Suiti annual and religious festivity – Saint Michael’s Day – have been taken and shown on the Latvian Television. List of publications see at: http://www.suitunovads.lv/lv/gramatas_un_publikacijas/.
As for periodicals, a column “Suiteņu stāsti” is published in Suiti dialect of Latvian language in the monthly issue “Alsungas ziņas”, available to the inhabitants of Alsunga municipality. Cultural events of Jūrkalne and Gudenieki are reflected in newspapers of the relevant municipalities once a month. The idea regarding a single monthly issue for the Suiti cultural space has not been carried out. However, it depends on the level of interest, co-operation and financial investment of relevant local governments.
(4)
The research and renovation of Alsunga Livonian Order Castle was commenced in 2010, and the castle offers informative excursions. Due to the limited financial resources the progress of rescue operations of the castle is slow, and the premises may become dangerous. In 2010 Basi Cultural Centre was renovated, and in 2011 – Jūrkalne Cultural Centre, in turn the internal renovation of Alsunga Cultural Centre was completed in 2012. Additional funding would be necessary for complete renovation of Alsunga Cultural Centre and to landscape its surrounding territory.
(5)
The intended State programme for safeguarding and long-term development of the Suiti cultural space was not established, however, the development of roads of local significance is planned for the upcoming years. In 2013 an initiative has been expressed to the State Culture Capital Foundation to establish a programme for supporting the Suiti culture. As regards developing cultural environment of the Suiti community, restoration of Suiti churches – Saint Michael’s Catholic Church in Alsunga, Saint John’s Roman Catholic Church in Gudenieki and Saint Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Jūrkalne – was continued. Community participated in landscaping of the church territories. The cultural values of churches – including altarpieces, chapels, organs, wood carvings, chandeliers – were gradually restored.

In long-term ethnographic ensembles and folklore groups have had large influence on the Suiti cultural space. Also interest groups of the safeguarding of Suiti craft skills should be mentioned. In Alsunga – ethnographic ensemble “Suitu sievas” (founded in 1955, 17 participants), middle generation dance group “Suiti” (1982, 18), children’s and youth folklore group “Suitiņi” (1985, 8), three children’s and youth folk dance groups, country band “Suitu muzikanti” (2010, 8) and creative workshop “Austuve” (6 participants). In Jūrkalne – ethnographic ensemble “Maģie suiti” (1959, 13). In Gudenieki – ethnographic ensemble “Gudenieku suiti” (1965, 16), tradition ensemble “Basu suiti” (2011, 9), children’s and youth folklore group “Krētainie suiti” (2002, 15).
Non-governmental organisations have emerged in the Suiti community, and they take active part in safeguarding Suiti traditions in their own profile of safeguarding activities.
(A) The ethnic cultural centre “Suiti”, founded in 2001 with the objective to promote the Suiti as ethnic community and the safeguarding, protection and balanced development of Suiti cultural and historical heritage. The centre implements a series of activities, and is the main representative of the community in communication with State authorities. Local governments, the area of which covers the Suiti cultural space, are also members of the centre, and in total the centre has 52 members.
(B) The association “Suitu novads” was founded in 2007 with an objective to achieve the creation of a united Suiti municipality. Its membership includes 30 community members, and one of its activities is research on the Suiti cultural space. The association is the main creator and maintainer of the informative site of the Suiti community www.suitunovads.lv.
(C) The association “Suitu amatnieki” was founded by 13 artisans in 2011. It was created with the objective to promote craft in Suiti cultural space, Latvia and around the world, and to safeguard the Suiti cultural heritage. Since the creation thereof the association has implemented several activities in the acquisition of crafts, and they have been well received by the Suiti community.
(D) The association “Cultural Education Centre “Riekstiņpļava”” was founded in 2012 with the objective to promote the cultural education processes in Latvia by organising educating activities both for children and youth and for adults and seniors. One of the tasks of the association is to promote sustainability of Suiti heritage. The association is currently working on digital textbook on Suiti culture.
(E) The association “Spārni Alšvangā” was founded in 2013 with the objective to develop initiatives for pre-school educational institutions, as well as to promote adult lifelong education. Upon initiative of the association a book for children of pre-school age “Suitu Miķelīša mazā ābece” was issued for the acquisition of Suiti dialect of Latvian language.
Significant contribution to safeguarding of the Suiti cultural heritage has been made by parishes of the Roman Catholic Church – parish of Saint Michael’s Alsunga Catholic Church, parish of Saint Joseph’s Jūrkalne Catholic Church and parish of Saint John the Baptist Gudenieki Catholic Church which contribute to the cultural identity of the community and the restoration of material cultural heritage of churches.

Timetable and budget refer to the safeguarding plan provided and, considering numerous activities implemented, is demonstrated for the activities under the respective objectives (see B.3a). The budget is indicated rounding up in EUR and displaying the total amount for the reporting period. Involvement of the community not financially compensated is mentioned, although this contribution cannot be entirely measurable in terms of money.
(1)
To teach playing the kokle at the preschool level; to introduce a specific ICH curriculum and to integrate elements of Suiti ICH into the existing curricula (history, music, etc.) at Suiti community schools; to launch a new curriculum for playing traditional musical instruments at Alsunga Music School; to organize regular ICH summer schools for Suiti children; to ensure operation of Suiti children and adult folk and dance groups. / Since 2009. / Community, 400 – ECC „Suiti”, 200 – association „Spārni Alšvangā”, 8 100 – Alsunga municipality, 2 100 – Ventspils municipality, 1 900 – Kuldīga municipality, 27 600 – State budget and earmarked grant, 6 900 – State Culture Capital Fund, 2 300 – Latvian National Commission for UNESCO (financial assistance of the UNESCO Participation Program), 33 500 – European Regional Development Fund.
(2)
To restore traditional ways of celebrating summer solstice, of making of Suiti traditional costumes in the community and facilitate their wearing; to organize and support a band of traditional Suiti musicians; to organize for community members a training course of bagpipe playing. / Since 2009. / Community, 1 300 – ECC „Suiti”, 3 500 – Alsunga municipality, 5 600 – Ventspils municipality, 1 100 – Kuldīga municipality, 7 800 – State Culture Capital Fund, 1 100 – Mortgage and Land bank of Latvia, 1 000 – the Netherlands KNHM Fund.
(3)
To organize studies and research of the Suiti ICH; to record, compile and map geographic place names; to digitalize data from the old Suiti church registers and recorded Suiti folk songs; to prepare publications in the Suiti dialect of Latvian language; to develop the Suiti community web page: www.suitunovads.lv; to produce a TV documentary; to organize the International Drone Singing Festival. / Since 2010. / Community, 100 – ECC “Suiti”, 2 400 – Alsunga municipality, 700 – Kuldīga municipality, 700 – Ventspils municipality, 11 400 – State Culture Capital Fund, 1 100 – Latvian National Commission for UNESCO (financial assistance of the UNESCO Participation Program), 7 400 – private donors, including enterprises.
(4)
To start restoration of the Alsunga medieval castle and to restore Basi and Jūrkalne cultural centers. / 2010–2012. / Community, 52 900 – Alsunga, 184 300 – Ventspils, 122 400 – Kuldīga, 600 – State Culture Capital Fund, 6 400 – State Inspection for Heritage Protection (15 700 – since 2005), 459 100 – European Union funds.
(5)
To support restoration of Suiti religious buildings. / Since 2009. / Community, 19 100 – parishes, 6 200 – State Culture Capital Fund, 1 100 – Mortgage and Land bank of Latvia, 4 600 – the Netherlands KNHM Fund.
In total: (A) financing of local governments – EUR 385 100, (B) state financing – EUR 60 600; (C) international financing – EUR 501 600.

After the nomination was inscribed in the UNESCO Urgent Safeguarding List, the safeguarding activities have significantly complemented each other, and mutual stimulation for new initiatives was observed – non-governmental organisations have become more active, home production develops, etc. Suiti have strived to put their knowledge and skills to use, for example, in the field of education and research, in making of traditional costumes, playing instruments, etc. Also the skills in project development and attraction of investments have improved, as well as ability of the community to determine priorities, ideas and to attract funding for implementation.
During the preceding years Suiti have established co-operation with other communities in Latvia (for example, with Rucava women in acquisition of traditional handiwork) and outside Latvia (particularly with Kihnu cultural space and Seto community in Estonia). Such co-operation has become a valuable gain for getting-to-know of cultures, exchange of experience and strengthening of the community, as well as attracting international funding.
Although the funding attracted during the reporting period did not reach the planned amount, the contribution of the implemented activities for safeguarding of the Suiti cultural space should be recognised. Taking into account the limitedness of the financial resources available and the general competition for attracting funding for cultural projects, the utilisation of the funding was as efficient as possible, and majority of activities was based on self-investment by community members, and the same results could not have been achieved utilising smaller amount of resources. The results of safeguarding activities are influenced by several challenges.
(A) Human resources of the community are limited, and contribution of each person is significant. Therefore, the inability of any person to continue work is a loss for the process of transmission of heritage. People outside the community were engaged in implementation of individual activities (for example, teaching of kokle-playing in Alsunga Music School, seminars with participation of experts regarding traditional costumes, etc.), however, the motivation for their contribution is less enduring, and accordingly the community chose to sustain its own human resources and also to involve them, for example, in educational initiatives (kokle-playing in Alsunga pre-school education).
(B) It is necessary to ensure succession for the planned activities. If an activity commenced is not continued due to financial or other considerations, it cannot achieve the anticipated result. Thus, for example, in case of Suiti municipality studies the initial financial support for the development of a curriculum is still pending for continuation in the form of publishing a textbook, therefore, activities do not have immediate efficient yield and their implementation process is lengthy and gradual.
(C) The heritage safeguarding activities implemented by the community are mainly based on specific and short-term activities' projects, with an accordingly focused financial investment. It allows carrying out of individual initiatives, however, a more stable and financially more extensive support programme would be preferable for purposeful long-term safeguarding of the Suiti cultural space, which would promote significance of safeguarding the cultural space and provide the community with an opportunity of planning its development in a more far-reaching way.