Consultations for Teachers - Jelgava

From 10 July to 31 October 2026, the exhibition “Martiņš Buclers. Photographer, photo industry pioneer, teacher, publisher,” created by the Turaida Museum Reserve, will be on view at Sigulda Railway Station Square and is dedicated to the 160th birthday of the distinguished photographer, public figure, publisher, and industrialist Martiņš Buclers. The exhibition opens on 10 July at 3:00 p.m.

One of M. Buclers’ life stages was connected with Sigulda, because after obtaining his professional certificate in 1897, M. Buclers opened his first studio in Sigulda. It was located on the bank of the Gauja, near the old ferry crossing, on the grounds of the former “Villa Franc,” later the territory of a children’s sanatorium. M. Buclers photographed the surroundings of Sigulda, Līgatne, and Turaida, and printed postcards that today have become rare items.

Martiņš Buclers (12.12.1866–14.04.1944) was born in Zemgale, at the “Juči” homestead in Sauka parish, into a peasant family. After finishing the local parish school, he went to the Irlava Teachers’ Seminary, where he passed the teacher examinations as an external candidate. For a time he worked at various jobs on his father’s farm, and as he himself wrote: “I went to the forest for firewood, spent most of the day at the mill, and in the evening I blew the trumpet.”

Martiņš was a good musician and took part in all parish and neighboring parish events, playing the trumpet and the violin. Martiņš first became acquainted with photography in his youth at the photographer Brunovskis in nearby Eķengrāve (now Viesīte). In 1894, he became an apprentice photographer in R. Borchardt’s studio. In order to fully learn the trade, at that time one had to study under an experienced photographer for at least three years.

Later, in 1902, he opened a photography supplies shop in Riga. The shop at 36 Aleksandra Street (now Brīvības Street) became an informal meeting and consultation place for Latvian photo enthusiasts. Until 1915, Martiņš Buclers actively participated in photo exhibitions in Latvia and abroad.

In 1903, Martiņš Buclers began producing photographic plates, which were given the name “Record Plates.” At first, the production of the plates was done by hand; later it was carried out by machines. The plates produced by M. Buclers won several awards: in Kyiv in 1908, in Liepāja in 1909, in Jelgava and Riga in 1910, and in Kyiv and Tambov in 1911. In 1914, Martiņš Buclers also began producing photographic paper “Bromrekords.”

Martiņš Buclers’ contribution to the development of Latvian photography is very significant. He promoted the education of photographers by publishing books in Latvian, establishing the Latvian Photographic Society (LFB), and organizing its activities, including exhibitions. He inspired many of his contemporaries to take up photography, recording important events and changes in the country.

M. Buclers is buried in Sigulda Cemetery near “Photographers’ Hill” and the site of his first photo studio, from where Latvian photography spread throughout Latvia and took deep root among the people.

Exhibition creators: Maira Dudareva, Ieva Stūre, Erlands Rubīns, Ija Kivlina, Anete Jenča, Egils Jemeļjanovs. Exhibition designers: Jurijs Fjodorovs, Uldis Jēkabsons, Jānis Spila, Gita Dāldere.

The project was created in cooperation with the Sigulda Municipality and the Turaida Museum Reserve Support Association.