August at Padure Manor carried on the rhythm that July began — the rooms stayed almost constantly full, and laughter from celebrations in the courtyard mixed with the quiet motion of painters’ brushes. Throughout the month we welcomed around 180 visitors on guided tours, and every week brought its own story.
Art in Residence: From Quiet Observation to a Plein Air Weekend
The month opened under the sign of art. Artist Eva Strazdiņa was in residence at the manor as part of the Kuldīga municipality’s residency programme “Piezīmes uz malām” (“Notes in the Margins”), bringing a quiet, observant eye to its historic rooms.
Toward the end of August, the manor filled with creative energy during the plein air painting event led by Atis Jākobsons. Five artists captured the manor’s 19th-century interiors and surrounding park on canvas — the atmosphere was compelling enough that Latvian Television’s “Kultūras ziņas” produced a dedicated segment on the event.
International Guests, Every Week a New Story
Travellers arrived from every direction this month. An 18-person group from Lithuania enjoyed a horse-drawn carriage ride, a wine tasting, and a historical tour, joined that same day by nine guests from Latvia. On August 4th our shareholders stayed overnight at the manor to take stock of what’s been done and talk through next steps.
A particularly moving visit came from the Jelgava organisation for people with disabilities — a group of 50 walked through the manor’s halls and park, sharing memories and stories along the way. For several days the manor was fully booked by guests from the Netherlands, and on August 7th all seven rooms were filled at once with guests from France, Germany, and Latvia.
Two Weddings and a Summer of Returning Faces
On August 8th we celebrated the season’s second wedding — the park and courtyard turned into a French-style garden for the day, and the celebration carried on until dawn. Mid-August, on the 15th, the company that books the manor every summer returned, alongside independent travellers from Germany and guests finally cashing in gift cards they’d received in spring.
A Magazine Shoot and What’s Next
On August 16th the manor’s historic interiors became the backdrop for a magazine photoshoot, and we’ve already agreed on several more visual projects that will carry the manor further into the world in the coming months.
Autumn is already at the door. We’re selling tickets for the big retro disco on September 26th, putting together the programme for a cosy November retreat, and filling the autumn and winter booking calendar for quiet evenings by the historic stoves.
A guided tour is still available from €12 per person, and a walk through the park starts from just €2. The manor is alive and open to anyone who wants to become part of this story — as a guest, or as a co-owner, by joining the current investment round.