For the past two weeks, French director, choreographer and Artistic Director of Bourges 2028, Christophe Haleb, has been in Liepāja together with a film crew to develop a documentary film project. The film is being produced as part of the Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 programme in cooperation with the city of Bourges in France, which will hold the European Capital of Culture title the year after Liepāja. The film is scheduled to premiere next year and will focus on the young people of Liepāja – their daily lives, dreams, passions and perspectives on the future.
The documentary will showcase a range of inspiring stories. Viewers will meet young athletes whose everyday lives revolve around training and competitions, as well as artists, dancers and musicians who work tirelessly towards their goals and dream of performing on major stages. The project will reveal the personalities of these young people, their values, and their reflections on what it means to be young in today’s world.
The filming process has once again highlighted the diversity, motivation and creativity of Liepāja’s young people. Their energy, determination to bring their ideas to life, and commitment to developing their talents are among the city’s greatest strengths.
Alongside the stories of young people, the film will also feature several locations and cultural spaces that are characteristic of Liepāja, including the beach, the streets of Jaunliepāja, the Karosta forts, Liepāja Museum, Liepāja Theatre, Club Kursa, and the city’s sports facilities. In this way, the documentary will serve not only as a story about young people but also as a portrait of the city of Liepāja itself.
The film crew has expressed genuine enthusiasm for both the city’s unique atmosphere and the openness, responsiveness and willingness of the young participants to share their stories. These encounters and experiences have become an important part of the filmmaking process and will enable wider audiences to discover Liepāja through the eyes of its young people.
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.
On Wednesday, 17 June, the Liepāja 2027 Cultural Breakfast took place at the Duna Concert Hall in Kuldīga. The central theme of the event was the creation and development of cultural venues in small communities.
Saturday, June 20, from 12:00 to 16:00, the “Ventspils Street Creative Courtyard” event will take place in Kuldīga, in the courtyard of the Community House, at Ventspils Street 16. The event is part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme.
From June 12 to 14, the International Symposium “ElektrON – The Future of Amber” took place in Liepāja and Pāvilosta. The event brought together artists, researchers, curators, designers, and cultural historians from Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Germany, Hong Kong, and Canada.
