Briežuciems is some 35 km from Balvi and was established as the central village of the Soviet Briežuciems kolkhoz after World War II.  The Briežuciems craftsmen village is a place where traditional jobs are nurtured, honoured and involved in modern life. 

The Kronīši homestead in Briežuciems bakes wheat and rye bread in a real country oven, using clean grain from the farm.  Owners Vija Jermacāns is a teacher and Jāzeps Jermacāns is a bus driver.  They merge these jobs with management of their biological farm. 

Owner Andris Ločmelis of the Liepu homestead is a farmer, but his hobby and delight is leather processing.  He will be delighted to talk to guests about it.  Andris owns the "Leatherely" brand (Fb:  @Leatherely), and he collects sewing machines. 

The Punduri family at Bilgas will invite guests to taste homemade and ecologically made cheese and herbal teas which the family have gathered, as well as take a look at the owner's collection of hunting trophies. 

The Atspoles crafts workshop involves several local women who weave rag carpets, carpeting, bags, blankets, mittens, jewellery and souvenirs. 

Briežuciems also boasts of folk musicians, an ethnographic ensemble and a youth folklore group.  Visitors can hear ancient Northern Lettigalian songs and spend some time dancing merry folk dances.  All of the farms are 500 metres to five kilometres from one another, and visitors are welcome to discuss a programme that will satisfy their interests and needs.

THE PROGRAMME:

Baking bread at Kronīši (~2 h)

• The lady of the farm will talk about bread baking traditions, and then guests will help to knead the dough, shape loaves and put them in the oven;
• While the bread is baking, there will be a folk music concert, festive dances and soup cooked on a campfire;
• The bread will be taken out of the oven.

The leather processing workshop at Liepas (1-1.5 h)

• The master will talk about the operation and take guests on a tour of his sewing machine collection;
• A master workshop to prepare a souvenir (a key fob, a bookmark).

The Bilgas farm (~1.5 h)

• A visit to the hunter hut to see hunting trophies and hear the owner's story about them;
• Enjoying herbal teas and homemade cheese while the lady of the house talks about the teas, nature, the history of the homestead and life in the countryside.

The Atspoles crafts workshop (1-1.5 h)

• A tale about how the workshop was established and the types of handiwork, with a chance to look at the things that have been made;
• A master workshop on weaving on a loom or a shawl frame, with a chance to prepare a pin or other souvenir from textile and floristics materials (there is room for 10 visitors at a time at the workshop).