On Saturday, 15 August, Karosta hosted the seventh Lāčplēša Garden Festival, with this year’s theme being “Peace in Karosta”.
The festival began at 1.00 pm with the unveiling of works created during the CreArt artist residency. In Lāčplēša Garden, visitors had the opportunity to discover environmental artworks by CreArt artists Patricija Gilytė and Cédric Cano, inviting them to take a fresh look at Karosta’s history, landscape and future.
From 2.00 pm, Liepāja 2027 invited festival-goers to take part in the Community art event, “The Pride of the Whole World Is in You When You Hold Your Head High”, created by scenographer Reinis Dzudzilo and inspired by lyrics from a song by the band Pērkons and poet Viks. Festival participants joined the creative process by making face masks before setting off together on a parade, accompanied by songs by Pērkons and the joy of coming together. The Liepāja Golden Choir provided the musical accompaniment, bringing a vibrant and energetic atmosphere to the parade.
Our thanks go to Edijs Ābelis, Head of the Product Design programme at Liepāja Secondary School of Music, Art and Design, and the students, as well as the Liepāja 2027 volunteers, for their help and involvement in bringing the event to life. We would also like to thank the Liepāja Golden Choir for the musical accompaniment and everyone who took part in or attended the festival, helping to bring Lāčplēša Garden to life.
The Lāčplēša Garden Festival is part of the Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 programme. Its aim is to revitalise Karosta and bring new life to the area, inviting Liepāja residents and visitors to discover its hidden treasures, people and stories.
The Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 programme is delivered by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation, the City of Liepāja and official partners – the South Kurzeme and Kuldīga municipalities, with the co-founding from 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 “Žurnāls Santa”, Ltd; SIA “Tvnet grupa”, Ltd; and AS “Kurzemes Radio”, Jsc.
Liepāja 2027 continues to implement the project “Fact. Fiction and Democracy” and invites young people aged 14 to 30 to apply for the Summer Academy, which will take place in Liepāja on 22 and 23 August. The training sessions will take place at the Promenade Hotel.
On Saturday, 15 August, Liepāja 2027 visited Riga to join residents and visitors in celebrating the city’s festivities and to introduce the upcoming Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 programme.
The Liepāja 2027 Foundation has opened a call for project proposals under the “Neighbourliness” community programme, summoning residential associations, foundations and small businesses across Liepāja, Kuldīga and South Kurzeme to put forward ideas that bring communities together. The selected projects will become part of the official Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 programme. Application period: 13 August – 14 September, 2026.
