Hungry like a wolf? Stop at Sēlija islands!
There are islands throughout Sēlija, but where is Sēlija? If we look from the side of Rīga, then we see a territory that starts in Jaunjelgava or Mazzalve, depending on the road you take. It stretches to Kaplava and exists between the Left Bank of the Daugava and Latvia’s borders with Lithuania and Belarus. These are the lands of the ancient Selonian tribes. Life taught them to be self-confident and satisfied with the processes of their lives. Each island had its own laws, habits and celebrations. Doors were always opened hospitably to travellers, and silent closing of black swamp oak gates applied to those who wanted to live in Sēlija and change it with power or slippery slyness. People learned to bury their riches under white swamp moss so that the greedy eyes of others would not find it and steal it.
Long, long ago, the lands of the Selonians were covered by vast forests, swamps which could be traversed only by those in the know, and meadows that were full of medicinal plants. The places where people settled became known as islands. Many of these are named after birds, because the sites are more easily accessed by air than by land. Sēlija is still a land of forests, swamps and untouched areas, with bears, lynx and wolves living in the forest. No one raises a fuss about them. People here have not been damaged by urban life. They are unique and a bit naïve, because they live away from noise. They are a bit harsh, because they can only rely on themselves and their nearest neighbours. These are quiet, cautious and shy people who have never been used to being at the centre of attention. They have loud, sharp and straight voices, because they live far away from one another. The Selonians have preserved their language and their cultural and historical links to Selonians who live across the border in Lithuania. Selonians keep to themselves. They are people of the forest, the swamp and the meadow. A Selonian will lend his coat to a wearied traveller, cook some hot soup and give the traveller a seat next to the wood-fired stove so that the two of them can jointly keep quiet about big issues. The Selonian will never be pushy with his love, but he will always be happy to lend a hand without thinking about what he will receive in return.
Many Sēlija home cafes will delight with products grown, brewed and otherwise made on their own farms: chicory coffee, “Sēlijas alu” (beer), teas grown in biologically important meadows, etc. Sēlija will reveal both on scone recipes inherited from grandmothers of the family and bringing the South American wind in the middle of Selia with plucked pork burgers and other recipes.
So wealthy is this region! A home café will let you meet people, find inspiration and enrich yourself with impressions, knowledge and positive emotions.
