On November 4, the Great Amber Concert Hall in Liepāja will host the Liepāja 2027 international conference “Cultural Renovation”, held under the theme “All My Relations”. The third conference will be dedicated to community as an ever-changing network of relationships, with a special emphasis on how art and culture foster belonging, strengthen communities, and shape relationships with the place, fellow humans, the landscape, and other life forms. From 9 a. m. to 6.30 p. m., the conference programme will include keynote speeches, panel discussions, practical workshops, and a film screening, featuring Latvian and international artists, culture professionals, researchers, and representatives of various communities.
“This year, we want to talk about co-creation and participatory art not only as a specific method for working with communities, but as a relationship-building practice. that allows to transform our relationships with fellow humans, places, the landscape, and other life forms,” notes Gundega Laiviņa, programme curator and moderator of the conference.
During the morning session, “Context”, social anthropologist Agnese Cimdiņa will talk about community as a space for belonging, cultural literacy, and participation. In her speech “Culture is a Collective Game”, architect and culture expert Ariane Bieou (France), who directed the European Capital of Culture programme in Matera in 2019, will explore the city as a playground and a space where possible futures and shaped. Culture worker and curator Filipa André (Azores, Portugal) will share insights from the Walk & Talk Biennial on São Miguel Island, an event devised in close partnership with local communities, the landscape, and diverse ecologies.
The afternoon session, “Practice”, will focus on art initiatives developed in partnership with different communities. Theatre and film director and dramaturg Krista Burāne will talk about art pieces co-authored by birds, trees, and other more-than-humans. Artist, writer, and curator Andy Field (UK) will address initiatives that foster dialogue between children and adults as they imagine the future of cities and society together. Contemporary dance dramaturg Laura Stašāne will focus on artistic practices that help shed light on uncomfortable topics, including experiences of domestic violence.
Special attention at the conference will be given to the participation of Liepāja communities in shaping the European Capital of Culture programme. The panel discussion “Liepājnieki: Co-Authors of the European Capital of Culture” will explore two projects of the Liepāja 2027 programme, “How to Garden Community” and “Karosta Children’s Symphony. An Orchestra’s Guide to the Life of a Young Person”. The discussion, moderated by dramaturg and expert in the field of community engagement Linda Krūmiņa, will feature artists Melissa Braden and Ingūna Skuja (Skuja Braden) and Gemma Paintin (UK), head of the Liepāja animal shelter “Lauvas Sirds” Anna Briede, head of the Liepāja Agility Club Linda Alksne, as well as children and youth of Karosta.
In the final section of the conference, participants can take part in one of six workshops:
Conference participants will receive an informational e-mail containing a registration form for the workshops, including details about the workshop content and locations (“Great Amber”).
The conference will conclude with a film screening from 5.00 to 6.30 p.m.
The conference “Cultural Renovation” is supported by the French Institute in Latvia.
“Cultural Renovation” will be a meeting point for culture professionals, artists, educators, representatives of municipalities and non-governmental organizations, community leaders, students, and anyone interested in the role of culture in societal development and creating new models for collaboration.
Conference tickets are available at all “Biļešu Paradīze” sales points and online at www.bilesuparadize.lv. Ticket price: 25 EUR, including lunch. Translation into Latvian and English will be provided throughout the conference.
The “Cultural Renovation” conference is organised as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme, with funding from the City of Liepāja, the South Kurzeme Municipality, Kuldīga Municipality 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 “Žurnāls Santa”, Ltd; SIA “Tvnet grupa”, Ltd; and AS “Kurzemes Radio”, Jsc.
Anita Smilkts
Public relations specialist
Foundation “Nodibinājums Liepāja 2027”
Phone: +371 25 408 337
E-mail: anita.smilkts@liepaja2027.lv
As Liepāja prepared to become the European Capital of Culture in 2027, the city welcomed British travel and lifestyle journalist Debbie Ward, who explored Liepāja’s cultural and historical heritage, tourism offering and preparations for this major cultural event.
he Liepāja 2027 Foundation invites everyone to contribute to The Fabric of Reality, a new artwork by internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota, by writing a personal letter that will become part of her installation. Until 16 October, visitors can write their letters at a dedicated letter-writing station on the first floor of the National Library of Latvia.
As part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme, the journey of the new cultural and environmental project “Lašu dziesma” (“Salamon Songs”) will continue in Kuldīga on 3 October.