On 23 and 24 May, during the Līvas Village Festival in Jūrmala Park, Liepāja, the symposium of the project the Skills Exchange Platform “Skills Market”, implemented within the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme, took place in an engaging and hands-on atmosphere. Over the course of two days, visitors had the opportunity to explore traditional skills, participate in workshops, observe craft demonstrations, and engage in conversations and discussions on the importance of intangible cultural heritage and its place in contemporary society.
The symposium opened with a special atmosphere, as performances by the Rucava Ethnographic Ensemble and the Rucava Rural Band “Paurupīte” filled the area around the “Skills Market” tent, giving festival visitors the opportunity to experience the vitality of traditional culture and its place in a modern setting.
At the heart of the programme were conversations and discussions on important topics, including the role of cultural spaces, the preservation of traditions, and the development of traditional crafts in contemporary society. During the discussion “Cultural Space – A Keeper of Traditions: Advantage or Burden?”, participants shared their experiences and perspectives: Daiga Straupeniece (Head of the Rucava Cultural Space Development Association), Gunta Klievēna (representative of the Bārta cultural space, leader of the Bārta Ethnographic Ensemble and representative of the Bārtas raksti association), and Barbara Freiberga (Board Member of the JaunLiepāja association, Project Manager at the Latvian Civic Alliance, and Chair of the Board of the Latvian Creative Residencies Association).
Meanwhile, during the discussion “Transferring Traditional Crafts into Modern Times”, experiences and stories were shared by shoemaker Andris Kačkāns, founder and manager of Kristāla kurpīte Ltd., and Ira Cīrule, Head of the Liepāja Crafts House. The discussion highlighted issues surrounding the adaptation of traditional crafts to modern needs and opportunities for preserving craftsmanship as an important cultural value.
On the second day, participants had the opportunity to take part in a bark basket weaving workshop led by Andris Kačkāns. In addition, the discussion “Can Traditional Skills and Knowledge Be Sold?” explored the value of traditional knowledge in today’s economy and creative industries. The discussion also featured Vaira Kārkliņa, Head of the nature studio Skara and floral design studio Liepzars.
Throughout the Līvas Village Festival, visitors were also able to take part in various creative workshops and traditional craft demonstrations organised by the Liepāja Crafts House, the applied arts studios of the Liepāja Folk Art and Culture Centre, nature studio Skara, floral design studio Liepzars, representatives of the Rucava cultural space, and other craftspeople.
The two-day programme demonstrated that traditional skills and intangible cultural heritage are not merely remnants of the past — they are living knowledge and values that can become meaningful assets in contemporary society. “Skills Market” continues to create an environment that strengthens the transfer of skills to future generations while seeking innovative and contemporary ways of integrating cultural heritage into modern society.
Project activities will take place from October 2025 until May 2027.
The “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture” project is implemented by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation, the Municipality of Liepāja State City, and its official partners — South Kurzeme Municipality and Kuldīga Municipality. The project is co-financed by the Ministry of Culture.
The Liepāja 2027 programme is supported by its principal partner for environmental education and sustainability, CleanR Group JSC; principal partner for air mobility and international communications, Air Baltic Corporation JSC; legal partner Sorainen Law Office Ltd.; and land mobility partner Lux Express Latvia Ltd. Information support is provided by Latvian Public Media and KURZEMES RADIO JSC.
Daina Vanaga
Project Manager
The Skills Exchange Platform “Skills Market”
Telephone: +371 26 107 720
Email: daina.vanaga@liepaja.lv
From 21–22 May 2026, Liepāja welcomed the Évora 2027 team for a working visit, continuing to strengthen cooperation and develop shared initiatives on the road to 2027, when both Liepāja and the Portuguese city of Évora will hold the title of European Capital of Culture.
The symposium will feature masterclasses, demonstrations of traditional skills, and discussions on cultural spaces, craftsmanship, and the significance of intangible cultural heritage in contemporary society.
On 21 June, the square near the Kazdanga bus stop and the shore of Lake Dzirnavezers will become a site for Midsummer celebration and fire ritual, where local residents of Kazdanga will be joined by traditional music performers from the Finnish city of Oulu – European Capital of Culture 2026, to launch the “Nordic Solstice” project of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 in South Kurzeme.
