Environmental art object "Pretī gaismai" (Towards the Light)

The environmental art object "Pretī gaismai" (Towards the Light) was installed in 2020 in the Mill Garden (Dzirnavu dārzs) in Ēdole, Kuldīga Municipality. Created by sculptor Artūrs Bruno Štrauss, the monument features a stylized stack of stone books topped with an open bronze book. One page displays a portrait relief of Krišjānis Valdemārs, a prominent figure of the Latvian National Awakening, while the other features his quote: "Knowledge is a value that no one can take away from a person."

Krišjānis Valdemārs (born on December 2, 1825, in the Talsi region) arrived in Ēdole in the spring of 1847 at the age of 21 to work at the castle as a clerk and manage the estate's bookkeeping. During his two years in Ēdole, he carried out significant social and educational work by establishing a local choir, a book reading club, and the satirical "Society for Draining the Baltic Sea". Under the guise of this society, he advocated for the freedom and rights of Latvian peasants. Its meetings were held secretly on the small island in the middle of Mill Lake (Dzirnavu ezers), which remains visible today.

Driven by K. Valdemārs' initiative and selfless donations from local inhabitants, the first library established by Latvians opened its doors on Easter, April 23, 1848, at the nearby Ēdole Church. This monument stands as a symbol of Valdemārs' democratic ideals and his foundational contribution to public education, cultural values, and national self-awareness.