The educational cycle “School of Ancient Lifestyle” at the Bauska Castle Museum has been implemented since 2010. The aim of the program is to provide insight into the lifestyle of the 15th–17th centuries, everyday culture, scientific achievements, and the most significant historical events, while also offering the opportunity to acquire skills in traditional crafts.
The structure of the sessions consists of lectures by museum specialists or invited experts, followed by thematic excursions or practical workshops. To visualize the topics, specially created express exhibitions from the Bauska Castle Museum collection or deposits from other museums are used.
Topics covered within the program:
- Everyday life and traditions: Easter and wedding traditions of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia, childhood in the Renaissance era, lighting, hairstyles, jewelry, and the impact of the discoveries of the New World in Europe.
- Military history: the fortification system of Bauska Castle, battle strategies, the development of the art of war, and fencing skills.
- Culture and art: the age of Shakespeare, medieval and Renaissance music, calligraphy, flower symbolism, the significance of masks and crowns, the art of mime, as well as the use of bone in applied art.
- Science and medicine: astronomy and herbalism, the history of hygiene, methods of treating diseases, poisons and antidotes.
- Gastronomy: Renaissance recipes, the culture of wine and alcohol consumption in European courts, the history of tobacco, coffee, and sweets.
- Mysticism and entertainment: alchemy, astrology, the history of chess and magic tricks, marionettes.
