Identity signs of the communities of Selonia in the territory of Aizkraukle municipality

Selonia is rich in cultural heritage, landscape diversity and strong community identity. To highlight and visually represent the character and values of each community, the Selonia Community Signs have been created - specially designed graphic symbols for the communities of the Selonian islands. Each of the signs reflects the history of the place, the most important symbols and the unity of the community. So far, seven communities have created signs in Aizkraukle municipality and, importantly, their creation is still ongoing. The signs were created by Daina Alužāne, artist and chairman of the board of the community network "Sēlijas salas".

• Ērberģe

The main elements of the Ērberģe Community Sign are the golden feathers, which symbolise Baron Hahn's ever-present presence in the Ērberģe  community, its wealth and the popular Ērberģe Manor programme - a theatrical and costumed tourist offer. The second significant element is the railing of the Maria Bridge with its characteristic pinkish-purple colour and constructive ornamentation. The lines of the railings are intertwined, symbolising the work of the people of the Ērberģe community for the benefit of their community.

• Jaunjelgava

The Jaunjelgava Community Sign depicts the guardians of the place - grandfather and grandmother, who stand both in honour, on pedestals, and in front of their small fields and kitchen gardens. The farm in the foreground - the border and protection of Selonia. In the background - the waters of the river Daugava and the forest. The drawing uses elements of Jewish clothing, now canonised in pop culture.

• Lielzalve

The background of the Lielzalve Community Sign is formed by the ornament on the door of the wardrobe of the Lielzalve manor house. In the foreground is an open book, in which history is recorded by feathers in the colours of the Selonian flag, confirming the importance of education and history in this community.

• Nereta

The main element of the Nereta Community Sign are the birch trees of Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš "Baltā grāmata" at the house "Riekstiņi" in Nereta. The tops of the birch trees are pointed and sharp, which characterises the mentality of the people of Nereta: direct, blunt, unflattering and critical both of themselves and others. The middle of the sign includes another element from the illustrations of the "Baltā grāmata" - the pattern of the middle of the door boards in the "Riekstiņi" barn, which at the same time symbolises Nereta as one of the main centres of the Selonian identity. In addition, the outlines of birch leaves are used, while the grey-green tone of the marsh lichen is a tribute to the area's marshes and untouched nature.

• Pilskalne

The Pilskalne Community Sign is marked by the traditional plank pattern of the old buildings that decorated granaries, taverns and grain drying kilns. The same rhythm of lines reflects the unique industrial heritage site - the Pilskalne Manor shelf grain forge. The meandering meadows of the Pilskalne forest and the overall mood of the landscape are expressed by the ferns, which include all the heavens and guard the magic of the place. The sign tends towards the centre, just as the Pilskalne community's strong pillar is the regular gathering together.

• Sece

The Sece Community Sign is made up of fish silhouettes and ears of corn, thus expressing the main directions of economic prosperity in Sece. The row of scales in the middle of the fish and the eyes of the gold coins symbolise wealth (scales - money). In the middle of the sign is a wave in a diamond-shaped inclosure - the famous fishpond farms of the Sece parish. The wave, which is separated from the rest of the sign, also represents the origin of the name of Sece - "Daugava secen". The sign is dominated by straight lines, expressing the pragmatism and practicality of Sece as a community.

• Sunākste

Two small rivers flow out of the "moss well" in the Sunākste Community Sign, each flowing into a different river basin. The river basins are lined with silhouettes of old trees - the bloodstream. In the centre of the sign, a semicircle of rowan trees (magical protection, guarding the place and oneself against the evil eye). The eye is wide open to everything new.

The Identity Signs of the communities of Selonia are not only visually aesthetic, but also symbolise the identity of each place and community in a deeper way. They are designed to reinforce a sense of belonging and to pass on stories of local values to future generations.

Information was prepared by Nereta Tourism Information Point, 11  Ziedu Street, Nereta;

                                              Jaunjelgava Tourism Information Point, 33 Jelgavas Street, Jaunjelgava.