Wood sculpture at the entrance to Undīne. Photo by Kate McIntosh.

DUBULTI, Latvia — I was off to the coast for just a little bit of relaxation and an ounce of the fading summer sun, so you can imagine my surprise when my trip to the beach took on elements of an unexpected fairytale.

Dubulti is a small, unassuming town hugging the Baltic Sea, within the famed resort city of Jurmala, west of Riga. It is also home to Undīne (The House of Fairytales) established in 1995 by conservation movement The Green Order, which is active in issues of poverty, drug addiction and environmental destruction.

Visitors to the town will almost certainly pass by the mysterious two-story wooden home on their way, which is surrounded by lush forest pathways dotted with impressive wood carvings of magical fairytale creatures.

The site, which is run completely free of commercial interests, is a venue for poetry readings, lectures, workshops, musical performances and other ritualistic events based around the sun’s calendar.

Bordering the house’s perimeter and hidden amidst the quiet, green walkways are dragons, frogs, wizards and other fantastic creatures.

Its founders sought to create an environment of poetic ideas, practical actions and a fairytale-like atmosphere.

Based on a mixture of ancient folk traditions, artistic creation and free thinking, Green Order’s philosophy draws influences from Baltic, Slavonic and Nordic culture.

It is impossible not to be drawn in by the mysterious and powerful atmosphere of this imposing house. Humanitarians, students, former drug addicts, bureaucrats, sportsman, artists, conservationists, among others, have all been involved with Undīne over the years, as part of its aim to bring people from all walks of life together.

Today, visitors have the opportunity to become involved in the household’s daily operations, as well as other creative activities including painting, drawing and sculpture. Past events have included dance improvisation, a pan-Latvian punk rock festival, avant-garde theater, Rave without Drugs, children and youth film festival and a presentation of Australian aboriginal cultural legends. The most important celebration remains the change in seasons, held annually according to the ancient sun calendar.

The unique project is believed to be the only one of its kind in Latvia and possibly the world. Visitors to the House of Fairytales are welcomed as long as they respect its non-political, non-commercial, creative, drug and alcohol free environment.

Visit http://www.undine.lv for more information about the House of Fairytales. Trains for Dubulti leave regularly from Riga Central Station and the journey takes about 40 minutes.