Liepāja 2027 Opening Weekend

The European Capital of Culture year will open with a programme of special events launching shared celebrations across the (un)rest Land – in cultural venues throughout Liepāja, South Kurzeme and Kuldīga.

On the official opening day, 23 January, the morning will begin with an exciting amber hunt along Liepāja Beach, followed by the international exhibition “Baltic Amber Takes the World by Surprise” at the Liepāja Museum, exploring amber’s role in culture, history and contemporary art. Throughout the day, visitors are welcome to join the experience on the Road of (un)rest – a sound walk revealing Liepāja’s character through its places, historical layers and human stories, while also reflecting the city’s vision for the future. Five performative stops along the route introduce the key thematic lines of the Liepāja 2027 programme and offer a first insight into upcoming (un)rest events.

The day culminates in two major musical highlights: the open-air concert performance “City Symphony”, directed by Matīss Kaža and created by an excellent team of artists, followed by the official opening concert-ceremony at the Great Amber Concert Hall with the premiere of “Wind Symphony” – a new musical work by composer Ēriks Ešenvalds, written to mark this particular occasion.
After the official events, residents and guests are invited to continue the celebrations across the city – in bars, restaurants, cafés, clubs, galleries and other cultural venues.

Outdoor concert performance “City Symphony” team

• Director and Producer Matīss Kaža
• Set and Costume Designer Reinis Dzudzilo
• Co-arranger of Musical Material, Composer Jānis Šipkēvics
• Video Artist / Stage Designer Aleksandrs Grebņevs
• Dramaturge Elza Marta Ruža
• Choreographer Ramona Levane
• Lighting Director Niks Cipruss

Concert-ceremony at “Great Amber” will feature

• Liepāja Symphony Orchestra (LSO)
• Conductor and Artistic Director Guntis Kuzma
• Composer Ēriks Ešenvalds will create a new work (performed by LSO, the “Rīga” Orchestra, and a soprano soloist)
• Director Laura Groza
• Dramaturge Mārtiņš Meiers
• Set Designer Sintija Jēkabsone
• Video Artists Lauris and Mārcis Ābeles
• Costume Designer Fjodors Podgornijs
• Lighting Designer Oskars Pauliņš
• Producer Irita Kalēja

On 22 January, Liepāja 2027 opening events will unfold in South Kurzeme and Kuldīga, celebrating the cultural richness and creative (un)rest energy of these regions.

Organised by Liepāja 2027