I am svilpaunieks - a rooster from the Vidzeme Highlands' city Madona. The legend tells the tale of the city's name originating from the word "wake up" (modināt) and earlier the only wakeup call came from the rooster. So, in keeping with the tradition I wake up people for a new day, new tasks and challenges.

I spent my childhood next to a lake in Kurzeme - a place rich in blue clay. My sister and I moulded everything we wanted from it. Then, we dried our creations, painted them with watercolours and coated them with glue for a glossy finish. To this day, I create little birds with love to make their songs more beautiful!

No other bird sings like the nightingale, No other bird coos like the wood pigeon. In the garden behind my workshop I always see birds flying and bringing me happy thoughts and pleasant encounters. Let this pigeon be the messenger of your happy days!

I created svilpaunieks larger in size and with more holes on its side so you could play a melody within one octave. My favourite songs for the svilpaunieks are lullabies, carols and folk songs.