Blacksmith Jānis Lubka

Inspection of the workshop. Providing metalsmithing skills. Sale and manufacture of products to order. Metalworking.

The artist builds metal works in ethnographic Latvian style and continues the old Latvian mining traditions. Visitors can kill a nail or a hook themselves.

Jānis Lubka was born on 17 April 1942 in Ludza District Nautrēni. The family has 4 children, John – the oldest; he has inherited his grandfather – a master with gold hands – working skills and mother – a chuckle. There is also a taste of taste and beauty from his mother. Jānis birthday memories - his pedantic and hardworking grandfather - the Mikitāns-blacksmith - the heavy boy in the heat of the smoke, is called, “boy, blowing!” In his childhood, his feelings in the world relate to his life as an exciting circus show, a man, a fire and a metal toy. As a result, he turned to the teaching and creative activity of the blacksmith and decided to associate himself with the artistic 20.th of metal. In the early sixties, Jānis went to study at the 17 th art secondary school of Rīga.

By 1992 Jānis Lubka worked in Rīga, where he was headed by the People's Art Study “Zīle” for many years. The task of the art studio was the removal of the skills of the founders – the Tautas of the People's Office – the acquisition of the People's Ornaments, the accumulation of folklore and ethnography. Jānis's metallic works are a variety of household articles – cuffs, clocks, candles, flower-holders, including mirrors, clothes hangers, chairs. According to Jānis Lubka's artist, in his works, the “withheld” black metal is able to flower in a live sheet and flower, in the ornament article, to slip to a graphic delicate line. As part of the fine mirrors of his handwriting, he created the traditions of the generations of the People's art masters and using his own creative innovations in the artistic and impressive candles.

The first Jānis Personal Exhibition was held in 1984 at the Museum of Freedom, followed by many others, with popularity also coming out of Rīga, namely the native Latgale side and elsewhere – his darts are seen among the exhibitions of any larger People's applied art exhibition. They are also displayed in Poland, Russia (Moscow), Germany, Finland, Japan, Poland.

Jānis Lubka has received many recognition, honorary articles for a significant contribution to the development of the People's art, the creative artistic success of metal works and the preservation of the pure Latin sound. The familiarisation of the Latvian People's Ornaments, the acquisition of ethnographic and archaeological material in Jānis led to a deep interest in the fate of the People.

On the other side of the 80 s, as the People's Third Woke began, John became a witness and active participant in many historical events. Following the restoration of independence of Latvia, in August 1991, John believed that the time of joint stock went into history and that every fighter for restoring our country's independence should contribute to further development of the country. He belonged to those people who were delighted by the idea of reviving Latvian countryside to the belief that he had to play on the dungeon land. His mother had constantly called John to return to his home, but at that time it was important for him to survive the country's important and historic events.

In his mother's home, John returned in 1992, took over the land of his grandfather, becoming a farmer. The housekeeper, with his spouse, who has found himself in the countryside, grows and sells vegetables. In order not to leave the neglected hobbies (as Jānis himself calls his foundry), he made a workshop on his home side in Green Manor, the old cultural house. Jānis acknowledges that less time is left for land management, more transferred to his post. He can't complain about the guests in his workshop, his work fan and the enlightenment are missing.
Jānis also actively collaborates with local fiction masters and produces exhibitions with them. He himself acknowledges that the greatest work of life is Rogovka's 200-year-old monument, located in the centre of the village.

Both Jānis Lubka neighbors and other residents of Nautrēnu parish consider a masterpiece as a Latvian patriot and an honest, wisdom farmer with the soul of the artist.

Address Zaļmuiža, Nautrēnu pagasts, Rēzeknes novads
Coordinates 56.7351211; 27.3818710
Phone +371 29111736
Click to Listen highlighted Text!