On 16 January, during the reopening of the Mēness aptieka “Kamelija” after its remarkable reconstruction, the stained-glass artwork “Song” by the famous Latvian artist Tenis Grasis was unveiled. In honor of the artist`s 100th year anniversary and his significant contribution to Latvian culture and art, the stained-glass artwork that have adorned the pharmacy`s window since the 1980s have been renovated.

The renovation of the cultural-historical artwork, whose author is Tenis Grasis, was carried out in 2024 by the glass artist Agris Butelis. The pharmacy has undergone significant improvements for customer convenience, including a modernized 24-hour service area with indoor waiting facilities to provide pharmaceutical care to visitors at any time of the day.

“We all come from past, we are present today, and we create history for the next generations. I am happy that today we are finally opening the doors of reconstructed Mēness aptieka “Kamēlija”, where history meets the present and creates new history with responsibility, care and sustainability. “Kamēlija” pharmacy was first opened in 1927, and for a whole century it has been a symbol of excellence in pharmaceutical care, special one for the people of Riga and also for us – those who work at Mēness aptieka. There are no other pharmacies like it in Latvia. Now, it is special again, with a concept that brings back the atmosphere of a pharmacy from the 1920s. We wanted it to be not only beautiful and comfortable for our customers and pharmacists, but also meaningful for Latvia”,
says Vilma Fairclough, the chair of the management board of “Mēness aptieka”.

Tenis Grasis created the stained-glass to commemorate the rebuilding of the legendary 24-hour pharmacy, and it first shone in the windows of the pharmacy in what is now Brīvības Street in 1985.

“We are all connected - we belong to Riga and Latvia. When we think about Tenis Grasis, we remember his intelligence and cultural depth. He was an artist who knew how to set goals and cared about developing Latvian culture. His contribution to the development of ceramics and glass art at the Latvian Academy of Arts is evident, as is his documentation of the barricades. The drawings and paintings of Tenis Grasis are of great artistic value and are characterised by their historical accuracy and sensitivity. Mēness aptieka “Kamēlija” is a symbol of preserving and maintaining our cultural heritage and values for future generations,”
said art historian Ingrīda Burāne, head of Information Center at the Art Academy of Latvia.

The event was attended by representatives of various sectors and institutions, recognizing the importance of the event for society, Riga`s urban environment, culture and the pharmaceutical industry. Among the guests were representatives of the Art Academy of Latvia, Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, Riga City Council and Ministry of Health as well as congratulatory messages received from the Latvian Pharmacists Association, Medicine Information Centre, Latvian Seniors Association and 1st Medical College of the University of Latvia and others.

The event was attended by former pharmacy head Inese Sniedze, stained glass restorer Agris Butelis, author of the pharmacies design concept Guna Akona and representatives of the artist Tenis Grasis family. Appreciating the contribution to the preservation of historical heritage, the guests shared their impressions and memories with the company`s employees.