ABOUT US

The Old Puisne Park and the building that houses the Valmiera Concert Hall date back to 1914.

At that time, eight Valmierians, each contributing 1000 roubles, took possession of the undeveloped Liljes Garden in the city centre. These gentlemen, although very different in terms of their financial and social status, wanted to create a public park in the city that would be accessible to all.

Why "Old Boys' Park"?At the time when the park had not yet been named, it was known among the population as Old Boys' Park because most of the founders of the park were not married. This was the name of the park only among the townspeople, but in the second half of the 1930s, the name became official in the documents of the Valmiera City Board.

On 18 November 1918, when the Republic of Latvia was proclaimed, Georgs Apinis, being well informed about the events in Riga, asked the German occupation authorities for permission to hold a general meeting of the Valmiera Sports Society in the hall of the park pavilion. Then, for the first time in Valmiera, the national flag was raised as the state flag and the new national anthem "God Bless Latvia" was played for the first time.

You may not believe it, but these gentlemen are still making sure that the Old Puisne Park and its building live up to their vision, which is why we have preserved not only the building's original appearance, but also the founders' vision - to be a multifunctional cultural and arts centre, accessible to all citizens, and to operate according to the pastor's ordained slogan - "A place of joy, peace and rest!"