The well-known Latvian proverb “Live a lifetime, learn a lifetime” reflects the wisdom of the people accumulated over many years - a lifetime cannot be lived without learning. In every society, there are people who learn with joy and pleasure, and there are those who perceive learning as something burdensome. 

But in this Nordplus Adult Education sub-programme project “Happy Learning”, we want to look at the part of society that chooses to study in adult non-formal education courses, specifically analyzing organizations directly related to cultural education and preservation of cultural heritage and their accomplishment in the project with adult non-formal education tools. 

The project lasted for 2 years (2021-2023) and 4 non-formal education and cultural organizations of adults cooperated in it: 

• the association “Aizkraukle Regional Folk School”,
• the association “House of Sounds” (Latvia),
• Tallinn Folk High School (Estonia) and 
• Centre of Culture of Zarasai (Lithuania). 

Why did we choose the name “Happy Learning” for the project? Specialists in the field of positive psychology emphasize that “If we want happiness, it is because it is a synonym for self-realization and personal satisfaction.” In order for a person to feel happy, they should do what they like. And first they have to learn to do what they like well. Happiness is like reaching the peak, getting maximum positive emotions.