On 23 January 2027, Liepāja will welcome the opening celebrations of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027. To make this landmark occasion more diverse and add to the opening programme, the Liepāja 2027 Foundation is announcing an open co-financing competition for cultural events to take place at cultural venues and other publicly accessible locations across the city.
The main goal is to get people to create new cultural and entertainment events that will go with the official opening celebrations and give residents and visitors a good cultural experience all evening. Events can be set up in places like cultural institutions, recreational and dining venues, and other public spaces that are open during the opening celebrations. All supported events must take place between 20:00 on 23 January 2027 and 04:00 on 24 January 2027, becoming part of a city-wide cultural programme that unfolds across Liepāja during this special night.
“Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 will stand as one of the most meaningful cultural moments in Europe that year. Through this competition, we hope to inspire Liepāja’s cultural venues, creative communities and artists to step confidently into this historic chapter. It is a chance to open your doors wide, to welcome new audiences, and to share the city’s unmistakable spirit with guests. I believe the experiences created here will stay with people long after they leave, drawing them back to Liepāja again and again throughout the year,” says Baiba Bartkeviča, Artistic Director of Liepāja 2027.
The total funding available for the competition is 30 000 EUR, provided by Liepāja City Municipality as part of its support for the development of the European Capital of Culture programme. Co-financing is open to businesses, associations and foundations that are not established by state or local government institutions.
Applications must be submitted by 7 April 2026 by completing the electronic application form available on the Liepāja City Municipality e-services epakalpojumi.liepaja.lv.
Foundation “Liepāja 2027”
Project Manager
Estere Graumane
Phone: + 371 29 666 182
E-mail: estere.graumane@liepaja2027.lv
In 28–29 January, Liepāja 2027 and colleagues from the city, took part in “Filmlink” project working visit to Tartu. The project is part of the Interreg Estonia–Latvia Programme and is set to make a significant contribution to the growth of Liepāja’s creative industries.
On 27 January, Anna Priedola, creative producer at the foundation “Nodibinājums Liepāja 2027” (Liepāja 2027), and Kristaps Puķītis, programme partner from “Dirty Deal Audio” (association “Tālu skan”), took part in a creative industries networking event in Tallinn, organised by the CCI Contact Desk at the Goethe-Institut in Tallinn.