Grandpa visited 5th Strawberry Festival in Malpils and painted gigantic strawberry toast. The Mālpils Strawberry Festival has grown into a summer tradition since its first edition in 2019. Held each June, the festival celebrates not only strawberries but also the local community, bringing together farmers, artisans, and visitors from across Latvia.

The day-long program features a lively market, creative workshops, sports activities, parades, concerts, and an evening dance, with events spread across different locations such as Mālpils Secondary School, Saules Vārtu Hill, and Mālpils Manor. In 2025, nearly 200 vendors and food stalls took part, reflecting the festival’s wide appeal. Entry is always free, making the Strawberry Festival a colorful, welcoming celebration where local traditions meet modern culture.

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The concept of the strawberry toast came to Grandpa right after he first saw the location. He used to make funny faces on pieces of bread with butter or jam, so he decided that a giant toast with strawberry jam, shaped like one of his KIWIE monsters, would fit perfectly here. Grandpa completed the artwork despite the rainy weather. The frequent strawberry toasts and coffee delivered by the wall’s owners gave him a much-needed sugar boost. For the first time, Grandpa experimented with using concrete to smooth the old brick wall, creating a more convincing three-dimensional effect for the toast. To achieve the drop shadow, he layered transparent paint multiple times, carefully building it up until it looked like a real shadow. Finally, the artwork was coated with a protective layer to preserve its colors and shield it from sun and weather damage. You can see the whole process on grandpas IG account.

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