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Re-born Jēkabpils' Old City Square |
by Liga Klavina
The summer of 2010 is going to be very special for Jēkabpils because the renovated Old City Square will be reopened in the heart of the city centre. There was a bus station in the past, now it will be the place for resting and walking. Interesting objects will be placed here in order to attract the locals and the city guests.
The city symbol LYNX - a sculpture, made of bronze, pacing across the renovated fountain, symbolizing the river with two banks - exactly like the city's location on the banks of the river Daugava is most interesting.
Close to the fountain, in the quietest corner of the Square, the recreation zone will be organized - with benches and gorgeous plantations. Historically, the Old City Square was created as a market place. In witness of this fact, there will be scales in the centre of the square, made of metal and composite materials.The scales will give an opportunity to weigh oneself either in kilograms or in pounds. Many years ago there was a well at every market place. This fact is registered in Jēkabpils property records in 1930 - called as a water pump. Thus, in the place of ancient well there will be a stylized working pump where the city guests will be able to throw coins in the water basin "to return to Jekabpils".
 There will be a composition called "The story of the city" located in the southern part of Old City Square at the memorial oak. It will consist of metal plate figures with people's photographs that had lived and created Jēkabpils during the centuries. The Old City Square will be used as a car parking place daily, but on holidays it will serve as a market or place for concerts and special occasions. The project is financed by the European Regional Development Fund and its main target is to create a new tourism product - place where people can meet and enjoy being together. The reconstruction works started in 2009 and will finish in May, 2010. Under the project the Old City Square logo, the advertising film, leaflets for tourists and visitors, and the participation in tourism exhibition are included.
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