Lamps of celebrities at Furniture & Design Isle 2023

Writer Inga Grencberga’s red lamp of inspiration, lamps rescued from construction waste by influencer Egita, actor Andris Bulis’ grandfather’s lantern, a lamp made out of a Singer sewing machine that belongs to director Andrejs Ēķis, entrepreneur Jūlijs Krūmiņš’ Crocodile Dundee lamp: these are some of the lights owned by prominent public figures that you will be able to see on 13-15 October, at the Furniture & Design Isle 2023 fair. Come and discover the stories of these lamps!

The opening ceremony of the ‘Ko lampas tev varētu pastāstīt’ (What Lamps Could Tell You) exhibition featuring lamps owned by celebrities will take place at the fair on 13 October, at 13:00. Among those present at the ceremony will be entrepreneur Jūlijs Krūmiņš, director Andrejs Ēķis, actor Andris Bulis, writer Inga Grencberga, @mansremonts content creator Egita, former TV diva and personal development coach Anna Lieckalniņa, musician Katrīna Gupalo, fashion designer Dace Bahmane-Krieviņa, event organiser Gundega Skudriņa, Latvian Association of Castles, Palaces, and Manors representative for Lielvircava Manor Roberts Grinbergs, board chairwoman of the Latvian Designer Association Barbara Freiberga, and others.

Across all three days of the fair, its guests will not only see the lamps of celebrities but also discover the stories that those lamps would tell if they could talk. We’d like to share some of the stories with you right now!

Lamps rescued by interior designer Egita
Egita, creator of the Instagram account ‘Mans remonts’, will bring two lamps she rescued from disposal as construction waste. Several years ago, the interior designer visited a major renovation site of a prominent expert in the field in Sigulda. ‘On the ground floor, two small ceiling lamps caught my eye; they were still installed, but were about to be thrown out. I couldn’t let that happen! So we took a ladder, unscrewed the lamps, and took them home,’ the influencer recalled.

Writer Inga Grencberga’s lamp of inspiration
The exhibition will also feature a lamp that witnessed the making of several books, including the novel ‘Sestā sieva’. Writer Inga Grencberga admitted not knowing the origin of this red lamp, noting that it served as a wonderful source of inspiration regardless. ‘It’s probably from Džils’ life, before me. It creates a good and peaceful mood. And it has been at the centre of a few of my photoshoots,’ Inga said.

Actor Andris Bulis’ white lantern
The white lantern that actor Andris Bulis brought from the home of his grandfather will also be on display in Ķīpsala. This light is very special to the actor, as it evokes many fond moments and reminds him of his grandfather, who passed away at the end of last year. ‘I gave my grandfather this lantern about five years ago. He loved it! Grandpa put it at the front door of his house out in the country in Salacgrīva,’ Andris Bulis said. The actor revealed that the white lantern has now become a precious memento of his grandfather, which still shines brightly at his grandfather’s home.