As the countdown to the European Capital of Culture year continues, the Liepāja 2027 Foundation invites to explore the creative spirit of Liepāja, South Kurzeme and Kuldīga through a programme of summer events. In June, the Liepāja 2027 project “Nordic Solstice” will be launched in South Kurzeme in partnership with the active residents of Kazdanga, while the contemporary art exhibition “At Ease!” is already open in Liepāja. August brings concerts from the “Rimbenieks” festival and Liepāja Theatre’s international theatre festival “Theatre in Close-Up”.
The Liepāja 2027 summer programme spans a range of cultural and public activities – from contemporary art, music and theatre events to community initiatives, youth projects, creative workshops, cultural heritage activities and international cooperation projects. In different formats and locations throughout the Land of (un)rest, local stories, people and ideas take centre stage, inviting local residents and visitors to become an active part of the cultural process.
On 12 and 13 June, the international symposium “ElektrON – The Future of Amber” will take place in Liepāja and Pāvilosta. On 12 June, a lecture by German artist Lisa Rave and a screening of the essay film “Europium” are scheduled at RTU Liepāja Academy's Art Research Laboratory (MPLab). On 13 June, the symposium continues at the Pāvilosta Cultural Centre, where a programme of presentations exploring the cultural and historical significance of amber – and its potential in contemporary art and technology – will begin at 13:00. Organised by the association “ASTE. Art, Science, Technology, Education”.
On 12 June, from 13:00 to 20:00, participants in the youth programme will host a “Bubble Party” at the “Roman Garden” Art Gallery in Liepāja. Expect a masterclass, creative workshops, an orientation activity and contests, with DJs providing the soundtrack throughout. On 21 June at 19:00, the “Neon Summer = Liepāja” neon party will take place at the Pegasus Courtyard in Liepāja. Designed to inspire young people to spend the summer meaningfully, the programme includes talks with mentors, entrepreneurs and career counsellors, as well as a stand-up comedy show. Both events form part of the Liepāja 2027 youth training and mentoring programme.
On 16 and 26 June, public online guest lectures will take place as part of the Liepāja Music, Art and Design High School project “Craft + Design”. The first lecture will see artist, designer and researcher Zane Bērziņa introduce the world of interactive textile materials, soft technology and biomimicry. The second will feature designer and head of research studio “Studio Sarmīte”, Sarmīte Poļakova, discussing the transformation of industrial waste into sustainable materials and circular design solutions. Together, the lectures offer an opportunity to explore current design and innovation practices within an international context.
On 17 June at 16:30, at Strautu iela 4, Liepāja, everyone is welcome to join the personal sustainability workshop “Compass for Happy People and a Healthy Planet”. Led by social innovator Paula Cukura, participants will learn methods for setting personal goals and take part in practical exercises to explore their values and motivation. The workshop is organised as part of the Liepāja 2027 Erasmus+ project “ECoC Youth Clubs”.
On 20 June, from 12:00 to 16:00 at Ventspils iela 16, in Kuldīga, everybody is welcome to discover, preserve and celebrate the area’s unique cultural and historical heritage. The community centre’s courtyard will become a creative gathering place where neighbours’ talents, the wisdom of seniors, collaboratively created stories and co-participation in creative activities come together to form a memorable experience. Through the stories of the courtyard and the involvement of its residents, the richness of local culture is revealed – demonstrating that great culture often begins in the smallest of spaces. Organised by the association “Kuldīga Senior School”.
On 21 June at 12:00, the community festival “Pļava” will take place at the cultural venue “Sventāja”, at Pļavas iela 14a, in Liepāja, with a programme of educational lectures and creative workshops exploring the use of meadow plants, herbal teas and sauna traditions. The event aims both to engage the local community and strengthen mutual bonds, and – in the longer term – to develop Pļavas Street into a recognisable, lively and community-based cultural space in Liepāja. Organised by the “Sventāja” association.
On 21 June at 18:00, everyone is invited to Kūrmāle in Kuldīga Region for the contemporary Midsummer event “(un)rest Midsummer in 'Otas'”, which combines traditional Midsummer customs with the creativity of young people. The programme includes gathering Midsummer herbs, making festive decorations and torches, a poetry and storytelling workshop, and group dancing and games. As places are limited, registration is required by phone at +371 26523004. Organised by community representative Aija Birzniece.
On 21 June at 19:00 in Kazdanga, in the square near the “Kazdanga” bus stop and on the shore of Lake Dzirnavezers, a Midsummer celebration and fire ritual will take place as the active residents of Kazdanga ring in the “Nordic Solstice” event within the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme in South Kurzeme. The event is organised in collaboration with the association “Kazdangas dzirnavas” and its representatives Elīna and Ernests Medenis, who have been organising this Midsummer ritual since 2021. From 19:00, guest are welcome to join games and dances led by Staņislavs Skudiķis, director of the Rucava Ethnographic Ensemble, and the Rucava folk band “Paurupīte”, and to try their hand at traditional skills – weaving wreaths and making sauna brooms. At 21:30, the celebrations move to Lake Dzirnavezers, where Ernests Medenis adds to the atmosphere with the sounds of the bagpipes. The evening's centrepiece arrives at precisely 22:22, with the burning of a straw figure in the lake. After midnight, the group “Rīgas danči” will take to the stage, followed at 01:00 by musician Aivars Ērglis.
Until 29 June, the contemporary art exhibition “At Ease!” is on view in the storefronts at Graudu iela 36/38, in Liepāja. Curated by Ieva Rubeze, the exhibition brings together works by Pēteris Rubezis and Vita Liepiņa that explore creative peace-building practices. The exhibition takes on a particularly atmospheric quality in the evening hours, when the artworks are revealed in a new light. It forms part of the “CreArt Creative Europe” international art campaign. Organised by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation.
From 2 to 16 August, artists from the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, together with friends and like-minded colleagues, will journey through the South Kurzeme region, filling cultural centres, churches, historic manor houses and other venues with the sounds of chamber music. This year, the “Rimbenieks” festival will bring concerts to Kazdanga, Grobiņa, Ziemupe, Bārta, Aizpute, Gavieze, Medze and Nīca. The programme includes works by Baroque masters, Latvian composers and contemporary authors, concluding with a concert by the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra in Kazdanga.
On 7 August, the International Symposium of Cast Iron Art arrives on the banks of the Tebra River in Aizpute, opening a window into the exciting realm of contemporary sculpture and metal art. Throughout the event, master artists will demonstrate the technical prowess of melting and casting iron, transforming industrial material into fine art. Visitors will have the exclusive opportunity to witness the spectacular casting process live, immerse themselves in the artists’ creative world, and discover how traditional ironwork is being reimagined for the modern era.
On 9 August in Alsunga, the Liepāja 2027 “Genius loci” programme will continue with a practical workshop on the restoration of antique wooden windows. This is an opportunity for all to gain real and practical knowledge about the sustainable maintenance of historic buildings and the preservation of traditional construction skills. Experts from the Kuldīga Restoration Centre will share their expertise and craftsmanship and will be available to answer questions on the restoration and upkeep of historic buildings.
On 15 August, Karosta Park in Liepāja will become the setting for the Lāčplēsis Garden Festival. This year’s theme, “Rest in Karosta”, invites everyone to celebrate Karosta as a peaceful, safe and family-friendly retreat, and to reflect on the local community’s identity, spirit of mutual cooperation and sense of belonging. The programme includes games, performances, creative workshops, concerts, theatre performances and tours, along with a celebration of the “Karosta Person Award” nominees. Organised by the association “Baringtons K2” in collaboration with Liepāja 2027.
From 20 to 23 August, Liepāja will host the Liepāja Theatre International Festival “Theatre in Close-Up”, presenting performances from Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. The accompanying programme includes discussions on the art of theatre, presentations of performance concepts, readings of plays developed during playwright residencies, and other activities, many of which are free of charge. On 21 August, the Liepāja 2027 Youth Programme will also host the rap event “Concrete Beats”, where participants will show their both prepared texts and improvisation skills. The evening will culminate in a face-off between the strongest rhyming masters and actors from Liepāja Theatre.
On 23 August at 13:00, a concert bringing together ethnic minority communities will take place in the courtyard of the Liepāja Lithuanian Cultural Society “Rūta” at Alejas iela 9 in Liepāja. The aim of the event is to unite multi-national communities, introduce visitors to their culture, music and traditions, and promote mutual cooperation and cultural dialogue. Audiences can look forward to an exciting concert programme and the opportunity to engage with the cultural heritage of communities from across the world. Organised by the Liepāja Lithuanian Cultural Society “Rūta”.
Throughout 1 to 31 August, five locations in Kuldīga Region – Alsunga, Padure, Skrunda, Nīkrāce and Rudbārži – will play host to an inspired creative takeover. As part of the “Notes on the Margins” residency, five contemporary artists will deep-dive into local culture, fusing regional history, folklore, and community identity into their new works. This year’s focus theme, “Illustrated Stories”, centres on the intersection of heritage and modern creativity, casting a fresh spotlight on locally significant values. The final creations will be presented to the public in September, offering a brilliant new lens on the region’s cultural legacy.
The “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme continues to grow, with new events, collaborations and opportunities for participation taking shape all the time.
We invite you to follow along and find out more about upcoming events on the Liepāja 2027 website: www.liepaja2027.lv/en
You can also subscribe to the Liepāja 2027 journey by signing up for the monthly newsletter with the key updates directly to your inbox:
https://mailchi.mp/liepaja2027.lv/seko-liepaja-2027-celam
The “(un)rest” programme of “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” is implemented by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation, with funding allocated by the City of Liepāja, the South Kurzeme and Kuldīga municipalities, and the Ministry of Culture. The “Liepāja 2027” programme is supported by its main partner in environmental education and sustainability, AS “CleanR Grupa”, Jsc; its main partner in air mobility and international communications, AS “airBaltic Corporation”, Jsc; its partner in legal matters SIA "Sorainen ZAB", Ltd; its land mobility partner, SIA “Lux Express Latvia”, Ltd; alongside its maritime mobility and international communication partner SIA “Stena Line”, Ltd; The Foundation’s media partners are: VSIA “Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs”, Ltd; SIA “Tvnet grupa”, Ltd; and AS “Kurzemes Radio”, Jsc.
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