Exhibition “Touch” from the Latvian National Museum of Literature and Music’s Musical Instrument Collection

In celebration of the centenary of the Latvian National Museum of Literature and Music, the exhibition “Touch”, featuring instruments from the LNMLM musical instrument collection, was on display both in Latvia’s regions and in Riga.

Organized into six groups by instrument type (keyboard instruments, string instruments, bowed instruments, wind instruments, percussion instruments, and innovative instruments), the exhibition presents a selection of 51 instruments from the museum’s collection, spanning from the early 18th century to the present day.

“At the heart of the exhibition lies a narrative about instruments crafted by Latvian masters and the stories of their makers across generations – about how these creations fit into the broader European tradition of instrument making while remaining original and innovative. Another curatorial thread highlights the relationships between musical instruments and their users – notable figures in Latvian culture. This theme continues in large-scale black-and-white photo and video dialogues, featuring outstanding contemporary Latvian performing artists together with their instruments,”
emphasizes Iveta Ruskule, Director of the Latvian National Museum of Literature and Music.

Visitors were invited to experience six audiovisual stories as well as digital and interactive demonstrations of the instruments’ sounds. At the Masters’ Wall, guests could learn about instrument makers in Latvia. Everyone was encouraged to engage through sensory and hands-on experiences – to feel the weight of an instrument, create sound games on the Sound Bench, try the sensory observation simulator Trīsskanis, and interact with “touchable” instruments.

The exhibition was designed to be not only seen but also heard and felt – by visitors of all ages, both amateurs and professionals. In collaboration with the association SocIntegra and Riga Technical University Liepāja, the exhibition was made especially accessible for visitors with visual impairments. The “Touch” exhibition of the LNMLM musical instrument collection received the Latvian Museum Association Award in the category “Accessibility Project of the Year”.

To further engage families and children, the exhibition was accompanied by the activity booklet “Touch”, featuring interesting facts about music and instruments, crossword puzzles, exercises, coloring pages, and other creative activities.

The creators extend their thanks to students of the RTU Liepāja Academy Bachelor’s program “New Media Art and Design” and to pupils of the Liepāja Secondary School of Music, Art, and Design for their contributions.

Exhibition team:

Curator: Liena Šmukste
Scenographer: Māris Ruskulis
Lighting Design: Mārtiņš Feldmanis
Sound Design: Jēkabs Nīmanis and Pāvils Jurjāns
Large-format Photography: Jānis Porietis
Texts: Agnese Rutkēviča and the LNMLM research and implementation team

Supported by:

State Culture Capital Foundation, Ministry of Culture, and AAS BTA Baltic Insurance Company.