On Tuesday, 19 May, the (un)rest programme of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 was presented to foreign ambassadors and international institutions in Latvia at the “Ola Foundation” cultural space, highlighting existing international cooperation and future partnership opportunities.
The guests were given an overview of the rich and diverse programme that will take place across Liepāja, South Kurzeme, and the Kuldīga region in 2027. With more than 500 events – from exhibitions, concerts, and performances to interdisciplinary projects and community initiatives – the year will become one of the most ambitious cultural celebrations in Latvia’s history. Built around five thematic lines, “(un)rest” tackles regional and also European issues.
“Our cooperation so far with foreign embassies, cultural institutes, and international partners has shown us something important: people are genuinely interested in Liepāja 2027, and they want to be part of it. You can feel the openness, the curiosity, the readiness to get involved – and that gives us real confidence that we can go even further together. The European Capital of Culture process isn’t just a cultural programme; it’s a way of building long‑term relationships, ideas, and partnerships. Culture still has this rare ability to get people talking and trusting one another, and that’s exactly how new international collaborations begin – in Europe and well beyond,” says Inta Šoriņa, Chair of the Board of the Liepāja 2027 Foundation.
The event was also attended by partners of the Liepāja 2027 programme, who presented projects that will create an international and interdisciplinary cultural experience in 2027. They shared insights about the 22nd International Choir Music Festival “Europa Cantat 2027”, the VV Foundation’s international art residency “Amber Season in Pāvilosta”, and projects by the Latvian New Theatre Institute from the “Karosta – Radosta” series. Attendees also had the opportunity to learn more about the joint project “Regenerative Textures” by the World Wildlife Fund and “Fabula”, the Democracy Residency “European Dream”, and the contemporary art exhibition “(un)awake: Hidden Horizons”.
The Liepāja 2027 programme has deep ties with artists, organisations, and partners from around the world. By 2026, participation in 16 international projects had already been realised, while 81 foreign artists and creative professionals, along with 11 foreign collectives from 26 countries, had taken part in (un)rest programme events. Other European Capitals of Culture remain key partners in this growing network.
In January 2026, Liepāja 2027 contributed to the opening festival of Oulu 2026 – European Capital of Culture in Finland with the interactive booth “Liepāja Culture Glows with Warmth”. This spring, the Liepāja 2027 programme was presented at Latvian representations in Vilnius, Tallinn, London, Berlin and Evora, continuing the targeted development of international cooperation and visibility, and strengthening ties with cultural institutions at the Baltic and European levels.
The programme includes a number of internationally significant events. In 2027, Liepāja will host a personal exhibition by Japanese contemporary artist Chiharu Shiota ( 塩田千春), while the Great Amber Concert Hall will present the international concert series “Stars in Amber”, bringing together world-class artists from across the globe.
From 9 to 15 August 2027, Liepāja will host “Europa Cantat” – one of Europe’s largest amateur choir festivals, welcoming more than 3,000 singers, conductors and music enthusiasts from around the world. The programme will also be complemented by the opera festival “Opera by the Sea”, organised by the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra; the international theatre festival “Theatre in Close-Up”; the forum series “Agora of Values”; and the contemporary art festival “Liepāja Art Forum”.
The European Capital of Culture year will officially open on 22 January 2027 with celebrations in the Kuldīga and South Kurzeme regions, followed by an extensive opening programme in Liepāja on 23 January.
A first glimpse of the European Capital of Culture 2027 programme is available here.
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; and its land mobility partner, SIA “Lux Express Latvia”, Ltd. Media partners: VSIA “Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs”, Ltd. and AS “Kurzemes Radio”, Jsc.
Released by:
Foundation Liepāja 2027
Public relations specialist
Kristiāna Paula Lībiete
Phone: + 371 22 355 771
E-mail: kristiana.libiete@liepaja2027.lv
