The annual event, which attracts hundreds of enthusiastic spore spectators, was supposed to be held at its traditional slot in mid-September, but the exhibition had to be canceled due to unfavorable weather conditions causing a dearth of mushrooms in Latvia's fields and forests.
Luckily, the mushroom gods have since relented and the past couple of weeks have brought the reappearance of funghi in abundance, so the specialists of the Nature Museum will accept the challenge and on September 29 will go to nearby mushroom sites to put together the rapidly decomposing exhibition. The working hours of the exhibition will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.
There is still a chance the range of 'shrooms on display will be narrower than in previous years.
The museum's specialist mycologist Inita Dāniele says: "Most visitors are looking for answers to questions about edible mushrooms at the exhibition. In order for us to be able to show signs with which to compare and learn to distinguish mushrooms, the variety of species is extremely important, but this year there are simply none."
"Yes, mushrooms grow, but it should be noted that the favorable conditions for mushroom growth are very local, often far from the capital, and in order to save resources, we will survey only the nearby forests.
Let's go and see. Mushroom exhibitions have been held for 70 years, we have known places and we will provide material this year as well," promises Dāniele.
As usual, the Nature Museum invites visitors to participate in the creation of the exhibition by bringing their own finds to the museum. Yarns dyed with mushrooms, paper made from mushrooms and other products will also be on display at the exhibition.
On Saturday, October 1, the museum will also host a family day "Step into the boots of a mycologist", which will be interesting for families with children aged 5 to 12 years.
During the event, with the help of a task book, under the guidance of museum specialists, junior researchers will find out which mushrooms can be safely put in a basket and which are better left in the forest, how different shapes of mushrooms can be and who else likes mushrooms.
You can participate in the event at any time from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (issue of materials by 3:30 p.m.). Fee for the event – museum entrance ticket + lesson ticket – 3.00 € per family.
And as always, the mycologists of the Nature Museum stress the golden rule: never eat a mushroom that you are not 100% certain is safe!