On March 15, 2021, the Goethe-Institut Riga moved into the historic Bergs Bazaar (Berga Bazārs) shopping arcade. The photo shows the facade during renovation.
Photo: © Goethe-Institut Riga
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Work meeting in the classroom: to ensure rooms are optimally used, they often serve multiple purposes. This classroom generally filled with language learners is also a conference room.
Photo: Didzis Grodzs
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The large room on the ground floor has reading alcoves where patrons can sit and pursue the library’s books. Moveable glass walls allow it to be divided into smaller rooms depending on need.
Photo: Didzis Grodzs
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Moveable glass walls can transform the space into a classroom for language instruction. The multi-purpose room is also used as a library, for programme events, and for advising for language courses.
Photo: Didzis Grodzs
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The move was also an excellent opportunity to modernise the way the institute works: Instead of individual offices, there are now flexible work stations and creative offices in which staff from different departments work together. Mobile working means those who need a bit of peace and quiet can relocate to a classroom.
Photo: Didzis Grodzs
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The library’s collection was also modernised and reorganised: curated Spotify playlists replaced CDs, for books the focus was on contemporary literature and German as a foreign language. Additionally, media dealing with current issues from Germany and Europe will soon be brought together in the “Zeitgeist – current positions” collection.
Photo: Didzis Grodzs
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