The Historical Archive Celje in Slovenia and the Town Archives of Ypres in Belgium jointly started the “International Archives Week Challenge” project, which the National Archives of Latvia is taking part in for the seventh year in a row to celebrate International Archives Week.
The project began in 2020 with the aim of promoting collaboration among European archival institutions and popularizing documentary heritage, as well as exploring and reflecting on the differences and similarities of European history across various times. The project is based on a simple yet engaging concept: each year, based on a common theme chosen by the organizers, European archives select a unique document or photograph from their collections and accompany it with a brief description. The project culminates in the release of an annual digital publication in early June to commemorate International Archives Day, celebrated on 9 June.
This year, the theme and title of the publication is “SEVEN”. A total of 26 European archives participated in creating the publication this year, each of which contributed a unique viewpoint on the theme—the number seven in both its numerical and symbolic meanings.
The theme for this year has proven to be very fascinating, and the publication's documentary material is unusually varied. From mediaeval documents to photographs, posters, drawings, and murals, the collected materials cover a period from the Middle Ages to the present. This vividly demonstrates the richness of Europe's archival heritage.
For this edition, the National Archives of Latvia has selected a parchment with wax seals—the contract for the sale of Rosenbeck Castle from the collections of the Latvian State Historical Archives. The transaction was concluded on 7 July 1437 and directly involved seven parties.
This year's publication “SEVEN” is available here: https://zac.si/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Katalog-IAW26-Seven7_05_2026_WEB.pdf