in 1991, a monument designed by Soveigas Vasiļjeva, to Felicita Ertner “Žests,” was set up next door to the houses of “Spriguļu”. The monument was set up on Felicita Erter’s hundredth birthday. “Spriguļi” was the Ertner family home, which opened a museum in 1995 with the help of a village Council, the museum has not survived to this day.
According to sources, the monument’s first location has been elsewhere. Thanks to a suggestion from residents of the “Spriguļu” house, it has been decided to move the commemorative stone to the backyard of the nearby “Spriguļu” home.
The “Spriguļu” home in Sigulda developed into a peculiar Sigulda cultural center, as many prominent cultural figures have visited Ertners home – Alfrēds Antmanis- Briedītis, Vilis Segliņš, Lilija Ērika, Lilija Štengele, Eduards Smiļģis un Rainis.
Felicita Ertner was born on July 25, 1891 – died on September 3, 1975 as director, movement consultant, performing arts educator, associate of Eduards Smilgis. Felicita Ertner was born in the Riga county Sigulda parish, now the Sigulda town „Spriguļu” home. After graduating from W. Olav School of Commerce in Riga (1911), the General Education Division of the Higher Women’s courses of Petersburg P. Leshaft (1912), P. Leshaft Institute of Physical Education (1917), S. Auers School of rhythmic gymnastics and plastic in Petersburg (1919). She visited European art centers for study purposes (1923-1936).
Work life began as a physical education teacher at A. Lunačarska boarding school in Petrograd (1917-1920). in 1920 she returned to Riga – she was a movement discipline educator in the drama studio of the Riga School of People and, invited by E. Smilge, began working as a movement consultant at the Dailes Theatre in 1920. Served rhythmoplastics in the drama courses.
in the 1940/1941 season, she was a director at the Opera and Ballet Theatre, then, as an educator in rhythmoplastics and acting, also a director, went on to work at the Daile Theatre.
At a time when Dailes Theatre was run by Eduards Smilgis, Felicita Ertner helped shape Dailes Theatre’s peculiar style. Based on F. Delsart’s blatant theory of movement and E. Zaks-Dalcroz’s rhythmic teachings, F.Ertner staged dance and stage movement at Dailes theatrical performances, introduced regular rhythmoplastics classes, and participated in the creation of staging barracks. From the mid-1940s, Ms Ertner became a co-author of almost all of E. Smilgis most prominent staging, working on developing the nuances and psychological rationale of character relationships.
All the most notable Dailes theatre productions have been created with E.Smilgis. More than 20 independently staged shows, the most notable of which: Ā. Alunāna „Seši mazi bundzenieki” (1939), V. Vīgantes „Palmas zaļo vienmēr” (1959), Raiņa „Pūt, vējiņi!” (1953), Dž. B. Šova „Māja, kur sirdis lūzt” (1966), E. Vulfa „Svētki Skangalē” (1970).
became the LPSR People’s stage artist in 1950, receiving the J.Dubura Prize in 1971.
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