Saulkrasti
Encyclopedia
Saulkrasti (in translation from Latvian language - Sun coasts) is a town
in Latvia
, which lies on the east coast of Gulf of Riga. It stretches across 17 km from Lilaste river to Zvejniekciems village including. The town itself spans across 48 square kilometres (18.5 sq mi), and includes 42 square kilometres (16.2 sq mi) of field and forest territory.
The town motto "The town closer to the Sun. Town which carries the name of the Sun". The coat of arms of Saulkrasti represent the four river (white stripes) Inčupe, Pēterupe, Ķīšupe, Aģe
, and five villages (green stripes) – Bādciems, Katrīnbāde (Pabaži), Pēterupe, Neibāde, Zvejniekciems. The top parts represents the see and the sun.
Saulkrasti carries its present name since 1933, when the villages of east coast of Gulf of Riga were merged into one common municipal structure, and since 1991 it is a town.
A EU funded bypass of the main A1 Motorway between Riga
and Tallinn
was completed in 2007, which will reduce through traffic, noise pollution and the large amount of lorries.
Saulkrasti is the home to the annual Saulkrasti Jazz Festival
.
, on the south-east side of Gulf of Riga
, 40 kilometres (24.9 mi) north-east of Riga. It lies along a 17 kilometres (10.6 mi) long and 2–5 km (1.2–3.1 ) wide coastal forest zone from the south of Lilaste River and lake to Zvejniekciems including. The territory is made up of four distinct populated places — Pabaži (Inčupe River), Pēterupe (city centre, Pēterupe river), Neibāde (Ķīšupe River), and Zvejniekciems (Aģe River). The territory is adjacent to Carnikava
, Ādaži
, Sēja
, and Limbaži
municipalities and the closest populated places to Saulkrasti are Carnikava
, Ādaži
, Sigulda
, and Limbaži
. The direct town's borders mostly include a stretch between the railway and the sea from Inčupe to Ķīšupe rivers.
The territory is 4774.2 hectare, from which 604.4 hectare are town's territory and 4169.8 hectare rural territory. As of 2008 2824.5 hectare are occupied by forest and 246.2 hectare are used for agriculture. There are 5,830 separate owned land territories with 1,583 real estate
s.
's detailed history of Vidzeme
in the 12th and 13th century. The territory overlapped with Livonian
Metsopole and Kubesele populated place, and some today's names are inherited from the Livonian language
, for example, Līlaste, Age, Pabaži. Metsopole significant centres included Skulte, Liepupe, and Limbaži villages. A significant road crossed the territory towards Soontagana territory in Estonia
. After the 13th century Baltic Crusades
, Saulkrasti lands became part of newly formed Krimulda parish
.
Before the formation of Saulkrasti, the territory was a part of Bīriņi parish. The current Saulkrasti territory gradually formed by merger of several populated places on Inčupe, Pēterupe, and Ķīšupe river banks. In 1823 the Neibāde territory formed next to Ķīšupe River and was mostly Vidzeme's noblemen recreation and swimming spot that became quite popular after World War I
. In 1898 Katrīnbāde swimming spot formed as Pabaži Manor estate was divided into summerhouse territories. In 1920 construction plans were conceived for Neibāde and Pēterupe towns.
by Prime Minister Kārlis Ulmanis
the cooperative was suspended, forbidden, and on April 9, 1935 — disbanded. That year Neibāde was renamed Saulkrasti.
After World War II
Saulkrasti and Inčupe workers village territory stretched 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) along a 1 kilometre (0.621372736649807 mi) wide maritime territory north of Inčupe. Saulkrasti as a town was established in 1945. The town's executive committee led by Mārtiņs Lasmanis settled in Baron Alexis von Pistohlkors' previous cottage. During this time former guesthouses, restaurants, pubs, larger cottages, as well as a rectory
were nationalized
. The territory remained quiet in the 1930–50s and was given worker town rights in 1950.
, but none in Vidzeme. Various ports were being built across Latvia and In 1911 the Ministry of trade and industry began researching Neibāde and Pēterupe beaches for a suitable port location. Neibāde at the time was a busy cultural and commercial location and Skule village was the largest fishing centre in Vidzeme with 100 fishermen and 40 motorboats, who in 1932 they joined Sea Fish cooperative. The mouth of Aģe, which had served as a port before and was then used for boat towing, was selected as the most suitable and cheapest location for port construction. After years of inactivity, On May 21, 1937 president Kārlis Ulaminis decided to build the port. The construction started in autumn 1937 with building of south mole and afterwards north mole. On September 30, 1938 port coastline plans were conceived. Along the port construction, nearby fish smoke-house was built. The port was opened on October 7, 1939.
es under the Latvian SSR decree
"On the formation of countrysides in Latvian SSR" . Many of the kolkhozes were merged and renamed after Party functionaries.
Sulkrasti town became the centre of the region that coordinated a wide territory led by M. Slosmanis. Party and Komsomol
Committees, and the Saulkrastu Stars (Saulkrasti Ray) newspaper editorial were formed in the Stirnu pub (Doe Pub), now the hospital building. Finance, culture, and education departments and municipal administration were located in the Saulkrasti Town Hall, together with the Saulkrastu Stars typography. The region's paperwork was now handled locally instead of through Riga. Saulkrasti village was the center of Saulkrasti Region until January 1957.
The only public transport to Riga was the often full intercity bus, as railway lines had been detonated by Germans at the end of World War II. On July 3, 1952 a railroad line to Saulkrasti was restored and electrified in 1958.
During this time new establishments and workforce increased demand for shops, catering, and other public services. Saulkraste region Consumer Society opened and began a trade organization within the region. In 1950 the town market was opened at the planned location of Pēterupe Cooperative Consumer Association's headquarters. However, public services developed slowly and had poor customer service. Later in 1952 there were several canteens, teahouses, two shops and a meat product shop. In 1952 a regional hospital was opened.
On July 16, 1950 Saulkraste Region held its first Song Festival. Saulkrastes Stars reports it as a colourful and solemn with many participants. On July 8, 1951 the state's first Fisherman Day was held with thousands of participants. In autumn 1950 a high school and night school opened, and next year a renovated kindergarten. In 1953 a new high school project was approved and construction began autumn 1954 until the school opened September 1, 1956. The construction was one of the biggest region's buildings costing 2 million rubles.
The culture saw a decrease in 1952, choir and dance collectives disbanded and Culture House management was being constantly changed. Zvejnieks also saw cultural decline with finances missing for musical equipment. The wall newspaper
Zvejnieks now had irregular publishings. However, soon a traveling cinema and library opened at the end of 1952 and 1953 respectively. Several dance and singing collectives were organized in Zvejnieks in 1954. On July 18 Saulkrasti Song Day was organized with visitors from many regions. On July 5, 1955 Saulkrasti Song Festival was held with 600 singers and dancers and over 7,000 spectators. At the end of July 1956, the first Latvia SSR's young tourist rally takes place with participants and visitors from many USSR republics.
The region, village, and local newspaper carried "Saulkraste" name for almost two years from 1950 to middle of 1952 until Saulkrasti name was restored in 1952. In 1957 a new territorial reform in Latvia disbanded the Saulkrasti region.
s. There were 16 artels in Latvia, and 5 in Vidzeme — the largest being 9. maijs (May 9), Zvejnieks (Fisherman), and Brīvais vilnis (The free wave). Fishing kolkhozes received funds for tool production and installation. Press reported artel Zvejnieks having twice exceeded their initial plan by skillful use of new equipment and increase of their fishing fleet. The first year following region's establishment, fishermen already towed a successful catch.
A lot of Saulkraste attention was directed at kolkhoz construction — allocating long-term loans, supplying building materials, and educating construction specialists. In 1950 region's kolkhoz construction was funded by 328,000 rubles
. Kolkhozes competed socially in timber processing, land cultivation, grain sowing and harvesting, milking, and fish hauling.
The 39 kilometres (24.2 mi) long Aģe river creek houses the Skulte fishing port , where artel's ships and motorboats anchored. Next to the port was located Vidzeme's second largest Skulte fish canning factory office. Fish salting workshop, freezer, fish smokery and cannery were one of the most modern in Vidzeme. The factory served all local fisherman. Big catches prompted expansion and construction of new of Skultes fish processing workshops (Skultes zivju apstrādāšanas cehi), and factory expanded yearly. New equipment, semi-automated lines, and freezers were being built; work organization was being revamped. If the factory only made fish products before 1956, canned fish now became its primary produce. Production was exported to many countries, such as, Great Britain, France, Australia, Mexico, etc.
During this time fishermen life significantly improved, new electrified houses were built in 1955–56 on the banks of Aģe. One of that time's state's biggest and modern Culture Houses opened on November 8, 1956 in Zvejniekciems on Aģe's left side and cost 2.5 million rubles. Soon Culture House opens a drama club and library.
, Lithuanian and Estonian
nationalities make up 7% of the population.
Funds for over 5 million lats for construction of two new piers and a warehouse complex. With the completion of these constructions, the port will have completed reconstruction started in 1997. Currently one of the pier has been completed and work is under way to finish the warehouses by 2010/11.
Zvejniekciems high school was attended by 395 pupils in 2008/2009 and employed 27 teachers.
Vidzeme Music and Art school was established in 1968 as Zvejniekciems Children Art school . The school started its Art department in 1995 and was renamed to its current name in 1997. There school had 288 student in 2008. Students participated in several competitions and some of their work has been shown in international exhibitions.
Pre-school educational establishment "Brownie" had 160 children and employed 22 teachers in 2008.
with: Gnesta Municipality
, Sweden
.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
, which lies on the east coast of Gulf of Riga. It stretches across 17 km from Lilaste river to Zvejniekciems village including. The town itself spans across 48 square kilometres (18.5 sq mi), and includes 42 square kilometres (16.2 sq mi) of field and forest territory.
The town motto "The town closer to the Sun. Town which carries the name of the Sun". The coat of arms of Saulkrasti represent the four river (white stripes) Inčupe, Pēterupe, Ķīšupe, Aģe
Age
Age may refer to:* Age , an aspect of mathematical model theory* Age , an international peer-reviewed journal operated by Springer.* The Age, a daily newspaper published in Melbourne, Australia* Agé, a god* Åge, a given name...
, and five villages (green stripes) – Bādciems, Katrīnbāde (Pabaži), Pēterupe, Neibāde, Zvejniekciems. The top parts represents the see and the sun.
Saulkrasti carries its present name since 1933, when the villages of east coast of Gulf of Riga were merged into one common municipal structure, and since 1991 it is a town.
A EU funded bypass of the main A1 Motorway between Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
and Tallinn
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
was completed in 2007, which will reduce through traffic, noise pollution and the large amount of lorries.
Saulkrasti is the home to the annual Saulkrasti Jazz Festival
Saulkrasti Jazz Festival
Saulkrasti Jazz Festival is the best-known jazz festival in Latvia. It is held annually in late July in Saulkrasti. The week-long festival consists of educational camp for young talented musicians and concerts....
.
Geography
Saulkrasti is located in Saulkrasti municipalitySaulkrasti municipality
Saulkrasti municipality is a municipality in Vidzeme, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by reorganization of Saulkrasti town with its countryside territory; the administrative centre being Saulkrasti.- References :...
, on the south-east side of Gulf of Riga
Gulf of Riga
The Gulf of Riga, or Bay of Riga, is a bay of the Baltic Sea between Latvia and Estonia. According to C.Michael Hogan, a saline stratification layer is found at a depth of approximately seventy metres....
, 40 kilometres (24.9 mi) north-east of Riga. It lies along a 17 kilometres (10.6 mi) long and 2–5 km (1.2–3.1 ) wide coastal forest zone from the south of Lilaste River and lake to Zvejniekciems including. The territory is made up of four distinct populated places — Pabaži (Inčupe River), Pēterupe (city centre, Pēterupe river), Neibāde (Ķīšupe River), and Zvejniekciems (Aģe River). The territory is adjacent to Carnikava
Carnikava municipality
Carnikava municipality is a municipality in Vidzeme, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2006 by reorganization of Carnikava parish the administrative centre being Carnikava.- References :...
, Ādaži
Ādaži municipality
Ādaži Municipality is a municipality in the historical region of Vidzeme, and the Riga Planning Region in Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2006 from Ādaži Parish, the administrative centre being Ādaži. The municipality consists of the following villages: Alderi, Atari, Āņi, Baltezers,...
, Sēja
Sēja municipality
Sēja municipality is a municipality in Vidzeme, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2006 by reorganization of Sēja parish; the administrative centre being Loja.- References :...
, and Limbaži
Limbaži municipality
Limbaži municipality is a municipality in Vidzeme, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Katvari parish, Limbaži parish, Pāle parish, Skulte parish, Umurga parish, Vidriži parish, Viļķene parish and Limbaži town the administrative centre being Limbaži.- References :...
municipalities and the closest populated places to Saulkrasti are Carnikava
Carnikava
Carnikava is a village in Carnikava municipality, Latvia. Carnikava had 3,721 residents as of 2006....
, Ādaži
Adaži
Ādaži is a town in the historical region of Vidzeme, and the Riga Planning Region in Latvia, and the centre of Ādaži Municipality. It has a population of about 9,000....
, Sigulda
Sigulda
Other twinnings: Keila, Estonia chiatura Georgia-References:* , , , , , and -External links:*...
, and Limbaži
Limbaži
Limbaži is a town in the Vidzeme region of northern Latvia. Limbaži is located 90 km northeast of the capital Riga. The population is 8705 people. During the Middle Ages, as part of Livonia, Limbazi was a fortified town with stone walls, second in importance only to Riga.-Etymology:The name...
. The direct town's borders mostly include a stretch between the railway and the sea from Inčupe to Ķīšupe rivers.
The territory is 4774.2 hectare, from which 604.4 hectare are town's territory and 4169.8 hectare rural territory. As of 2008 2824.5 hectare are occupied by forest and 246.2 hectare are used for agriculture. There are 5,830 separate owned land territories with 1,583 real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
s.
History
The earliest data about the territory are stone axes found around Inčupe and Pēterupe, which show that the territory was populated from at least the newer ice age. The first written mention of populated places in the Saulkrasti territory are documented in the Chronicle of Henry of LivoniaChronicle of Henry of Livonia
The Livonian Chronicle of Henry is a document describing historic events in Livonia and surrounding areas from 1180 to 1227. Apart from the few references in the Primary Chronicle compiled in Kievan Rus' in the twelfth century, it is the oldest known written document about the history of these...
's detailed history of Vidzeme
Vidzeme
Vidzeme is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. Literally meaning "the Middle Land" it is situated in north-central Latvia north of the Daugava River...
in the 12th and 13th century. The territory overlapped with Livonian
Livonian people
The Livonians or Livs are the indigenous inhabitants of Livonia, a large part of what is today northwestern Latvia and southwestern Estonia. They spoke the Uralic Livonian language, a language which is closely related to Estonian and Finnish...
Metsopole and Kubesele populated place, and some today's names are inherited from the Livonian language
Livonian language
Livonian belongs to the Finnic branch of the Uralic languages. It is a nearly extinct language, with one of its last native speakers having died in February 2009. It is closely related to Estonian...
, for example, Līlaste, Age, Pabaži. Metsopole significant centres included Skulte, Liepupe, and Limbaži villages. A significant road crossed the territory towards Soontagana territory in Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
. After the 13th century Baltic Crusades
Northern Crusades
The Northern Crusades or Baltic Crusades were crusades undertaken by the Christian kings of Denmark and Sweden, the German Livonian and Teutonic military orders, and their allies against the pagan peoples of Northern Europe around the southern and eastern shores of the Baltic Sea...
, Saulkrasti lands became part of newly formed Krimulda parish
Krimulda parish
- Towns, villages and settlements of Krimulda parish :*...
.
Before the formation of Saulkrasti, the territory was a part of Bīriņi parish. The current Saulkrasti territory gradually formed by merger of several populated places on Inčupe, Pēterupe, and Ķīšupe river banks. In 1823 the Neibāde territory formed next to Ķīšupe River and was mostly Vidzeme's noblemen recreation and swimming spot that became quite popular after World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. In 1898 Katrīnbāde swimming spot formed as Pabaži Manor estate was divided into summerhouse territories. In 1920 construction plans were conceived for Neibāde and Pēterupe towns.
Pēterupe
After World War I and coastland town reforms during the 1920–30s, unions, cooperatives, and various associations were established across Latvia. After World War I the fishermen village Pēterupe gathered the vicinage's economic life, including markets and association life. In 1919 Pētērupe Fishing Association was established to represent interests of the fishermen, and purchase land and fishing tools. In 1923 the association moved into Bīriņi Manor Pub , illegally sold by Neibāde resort manager Paul Moltrecht. The pub was renovated, renamed Enkurs (Anchor), and became the local fishermen social gathering place with regular shows, concerts, and lectures. The association had plans to build a port on the mouth of Pēterupe River, however construction never started. The association was closed on May 1, 1938 by Fishermen's Central Union , whereby many fishermen joined Skulte's Zvejniekciems cooperative.Neibāde
Neibāde at the time was a quite summer resort location preferred by Rigans for its quiet region between Pabaži and Skulte. The major local activity was at the local pub Āķu krogs (Hook pub) that housed public services, such as, a shop, a conference room, hairdressers, and a library. During the 1920s the pub exerted particular cultural influence and was supported by the State Cultural Fund on numerous occasions. That year Pēterupe Cooperative Consumer Association was founded to provide their members with discount groceries and manufacturing goods; the Āķu Pub rented office space to the cooperation. The cooperative organized many cultural events, such as, a drama club, a choir, and lectures. In 1927 a separate location was allocated for construction of a new headquarters building, however it was never finished due to ineffective governing and the cooperative almost going bankrupt. The cooperative prominently sold merchandise on debt to workers, especially fisherman, and soon exhausted its resources and in 1932 held a public auction. After the May 15, 1934 coup d'étatCoup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
by Prime Minister Kārlis Ulmanis
Karlis Ulmanis
Kārlis Augusts Vilhelms Ulmanis was a prominent Latvian politician in pre-World War II Latvia during the Latvian period of independence from 1918 to 1940.- Education and early career :Ulmanis studied agriculture at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich and...
the cooperative was suspended, forbidden, and on April 9, 1935 — disbanded. That year Neibāde was renamed Saulkrasti.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Saulkrasti and Inčupe workers village territory stretched 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) along a 1 kilometre (0.621372736649807 mi) wide maritime territory north of Inčupe. Saulkrasti as a town was established in 1945. The town's executive committee led by Mārtiņs Lasmanis settled in Baron Alexis von Pistohlkors' previous cottage. During this time former guesthouses, restaurants, pubs, larger cottages, as well as a rectory
Rectory
A rectory is the residence, or former residence, of a rector, most often a Christian cleric, but in some cases an academic rector or other person with that title...
were nationalized
Nationalization
Nationalisation, also spelled nationalization, is the process of taking an industry or assets into government ownership by a national government or state. Nationalization usually refers to private assets, but may also mean assets owned by lower levels of government, such as municipalities, being...
. The territory remained quiet in the 1930–50s and was given worker town rights in 1950.
Skulte Port
At the start of 20th century there had been several ports in CourlandCourland
Courland is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. The regions of Semigallia and Selonia are sometimes considered as part of Courland.- Geography and climate :...
, but none in Vidzeme. Various ports were being built across Latvia and In 1911 the Ministry of trade and industry began researching Neibāde and Pēterupe beaches for a suitable port location. Neibāde at the time was a busy cultural and commercial location and Skule village was the largest fishing centre in Vidzeme with 100 fishermen and 40 motorboats, who in 1932 they joined Sea Fish cooperative. The mouth of Aģe, which had served as a port before and was then used for boat towing, was selected as the most suitable and cheapest location for port construction. After years of inactivity, On May 21, 1937 president Kārlis Ulaminis decided to build the port. The construction started in autumn 1937 with building of south mole and afterwards north mole. On September 30, 1938 port coastline plans were conceived. Along the port construction, nearby fish smoke-house was built. The port was opened on October 7, 1939.
Saulkraste region
In 1950 the Saulkraste region was formed by joining 19 local counties and 42 kolkhozKolkhoz
A kolkhoz , plural kolkhozy, was a form of collective farming in the Soviet Union that existed along with state farms . The word is a contraction of коллекти́вное хозя́йство, or "collective farm", while sovkhoz is a contraction of советское хозяйство...
es under the Latvian SSR decree
Decree
A decree is a rule of law issued by a head of state , according to certain procedures . It has the force of law...
"On the formation of countrysides in Latvian SSR" . Many of the kolkhozes were merged and renamed after Party functionaries.
Sulkrasti town became the centre of the region that coordinated a wide territory led by M. Slosmanis. Party and Komsomol
Komsomol
The Communist Union of Youth , usually known as Komsomol , was the youth division of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. The Komsomol in its earliest form was established in urban centers in 1918. During the early years, it was a Russian organization, known as the Russian Communist Union of...
Committees, and the Saulkrastu Stars (Saulkrasti Ray) newspaper editorial were formed in the Stirnu pub (Doe Pub), now the hospital building. Finance, culture, and education departments and municipal administration were located in the Saulkrasti Town Hall, together with the Saulkrastu Stars typography. The region's paperwork was now handled locally instead of through Riga. Saulkrasti village was the center of Saulkrasti Region until January 1957.
The only public transport to Riga was the often full intercity bus, as railway lines had been detonated by Germans at the end of World War II. On July 3, 1952 a railroad line to Saulkrasti was restored and electrified in 1958.
During this time new establishments and workforce increased demand for shops, catering, and other public services. Saulkraste region Consumer Society opened and began a trade organization within the region. In 1950 the town market was opened at the planned location of Pēterupe Cooperative Consumer Association's headquarters. However, public services developed slowly and had poor customer service. Later in 1952 there were several canteens, teahouses, two shops and a meat product shop. In 1952 a regional hospital was opened.
On July 16, 1950 Saulkraste Region held its first Song Festival. Saulkrastes Stars reports it as a colourful and solemn with many participants. On July 8, 1951 the state's first Fisherman Day was held with thousands of participants. In autumn 1950 a high school and night school opened, and next year a renovated kindergarten. In 1953 a new high school project was approved and construction began autumn 1954 until the school opened September 1, 1956. The construction was one of the biggest region's buildings costing 2 million rubles.
The culture saw a decrease in 1952, choir and dance collectives disbanded and Culture House management was being constantly changed. Zvejnieks also saw cultural decline with finances missing for musical equipment. The wall newspaper
Wall newspaper
A wall newspaper or wall-newspaper is a printed newspaper designed to be displayed and read in public places, such as walls. The practice dates back to at the least the Roman Empire. They are often produced by governmental entities in locations where production costs or distribution problems might...
Zvejnieks now had irregular publishings. However, soon a traveling cinema and library opened at the end of 1952 and 1953 respectively. Several dance and singing collectives were organized in Zvejnieks in 1954. On July 18 Saulkrasti Song Day was organized with visitors from many regions. On July 5, 1955 Saulkrasti Song Festival was held with 600 singers and dancers and over 7,000 spectators. At the end of July 1956, the first Latvia SSR's young tourist rally takes place with participants and visitors from many USSR republics.
The region, village, and local newspaper carried "Saulkraste" name for almost two years from 1950 to middle of 1952 until Saulkrasti name was restored in 1952. In 1957 a new territorial reform in Latvia disbanded the Saulkrasti region.
Rise of fishing industry
Vidzemes beaches had long been housing fishing industry. In 1945–1946 fishermen started joining into unions and in 1946–1948 into artelArtel
Artel is a general term for various cooperative associations in Russia and Ukraine, historical and modern.Historically, artels were semi-formal associations for various enterprises: fishing, mining, commerce, of loaders, loggers, thieves, beggars, etc. Often artels worked far from home and lived...
s. There were 16 artels in Latvia, and 5 in Vidzeme — the largest being 9. maijs (May 9), Zvejnieks (Fisherman), and Brīvais vilnis (The free wave). Fishing kolkhozes received funds for tool production and installation. Press reported artel Zvejnieks having twice exceeded their initial plan by skillful use of new equipment and increase of their fishing fleet. The first year following region's establishment, fishermen already towed a successful catch.
A lot of Saulkraste attention was directed at kolkhoz construction — allocating long-term loans, supplying building materials, and educating construction specialists. In 1950 region's kolkhoz construction was funded by 328,000 rubles
Latvian rublis
The rublis was the name of the currency of Latvia from 1919 to 1922 and from 1992 to 1993.-First rublis:After the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia in 1918, a large variety of different currencies were in circulation - ostrubles, ostmarks, German Papiermark, the so-called Tsar rubles, kopecks,...
. Kolkhozes competed socially in timber processing, land cultivation, grain sowing and harvesting, milking, and fish hauling.
The 39 kilometres (24.2 mi) long Aģe river creek houses the Skulte fishing port , where artel's ships and motorboats anchored. Next to the port was located Vidzeme's second largest Skulte fish canning factory office. Fish salting workshop, freezer, fish smokery and cannery were one of the most modern in Vidzeme. The factory served all local fisherman. Big catches prompted expansion and construction of new of Skultes fish processing workshops (Skultes zivju apstrādāšanas cehi), and factory expanded yearly. New equipment, semi-automated lines, and freezers were being built; work organization was being revamped. If the factory only made fish products before 1956, canned fish now became its primary produce. Production was exported to many countries, such as, Great Britain, France, Australia, Mexico, etc.
During this time fishermen life significantly improved, new electrified houses were built in 1955–56 on the banks of Aģe. One of that time's state's biggest and modern Culture Houses opened on November 8, 1956 in Zvejniekciems on Aģe's left side and cost 2.5 million rubles. Soon Culture House opens a drama club and library.
Population
As of beginning of 2008, there are 6,089 Saulkrasti residents, 2,771 of which live in rural areas. 57% (3,487) residents are of working age and 26% (1,611) beyond working age. 82% of the population are Latvians and 11% are Russians, the remaining Belorussian, PolishPoles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
, Lithuanian and Estonian
Estonians
Estonians are a Finnic people closely related to the Finns and inhabiting, primarily, the country of Estonia. They speak a Finnic language known as Estonian...
nationalities make up 7% of the population.
| Year | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
| Population | 5,528 | 5,560 | 5,541 | 5,532 | 5,427 | 5,463 | 5,403 | 5,651 | 5,926 | 6,032 | 6,040 | 6,089 |
Skulte fishing port
The port is currently being funded from European Fisheries and European Regional DevelopmentEuropean Regional Development Fund
The European Regional Development Fund is a fund allocated by the European Union.-History:During the 1960s, the European Commission occasionally tried to establish a regional fund. Only Italy ever supported this, however, and nothing came of it. Britain made it an issue for their accession in...
Funds for over 5 million lats for construction of two new piers and a warehouse complex. With the completion of these constructions, the port will have completed reconstruction started in 1997. Currently one of the pier has been completed and work is under way to finish the warehouses by 2010/11.
Education
Saulkrasti high school was attended by 360 pupils in 2008/2009 and employed 38 teachers in 2007/8.Zvejniekciems high school was attended by 395 pupils in 2008/2009 and employed 27 teachers.
Vidzeme Music and Art school was established in 1968 as Zvejniekciems Children Art school . The school started its Art department in 1995 and was renamed to its current name in 1997. There school had 288 student in 2008. Students participated in several competitions and some of their work has been shown in international exhibitions.
Pre-school educational establishment "Brownie" had 160 children and employed 22 teachers in 2008.
Twin towns — Sister cities
Saulkrasti is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with: Gnesta Municipality
Gnesta Municipality
Gnesta Municipality is a municipality in Södermanland County in southeast Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Gnesta, with some 5,000 inhabitants....
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.