The Architecture of Folk Schools in Latvia: Development and Stylistic Features in Kurzeme and Zemgale

The analysis in this research focuses on folk schools, which are among the oldest educational buildings in Latvia. These schools played a significant role in the advancement of Latvian national culture and the initiation of Latvian education. Throughout history, the preservation and fate of this architectural heritage have consistently relied on socio-economic and political factors. Even in the present day, due to urbanization, school restructuring, and a lack of societal appreciation for their historical significance, these buildings remain vulnerable to complete deterioration and eventual disappearance. The historical form of folk schools as an educational network no longer exists, and today their architectural heritage serves as vanishing proof of the past, with its value primarily recognized within cultural and historical contexts. This study analyzes 114 identified folk school structures situated in two historical regions of Latvia. It delves into their construction history and architectural characteristics while elucidating the inherent risks and potential cultural significance these edifices hold in the contemporary landscape of Kurzeme and Zemgale.