Six new cultural tourism projects join the Liepāja 2027 programme

The project competition “Manor House Hackathon,” organised by the foundation “Nodibinājums Liepāja 2027” (Liepāja 2027), has concluded. In it, eight cultural venues from the Kuldīga and South Kurzeme regions developed new ideas for bringing historic buildings back to life. As a result, six new projects will join the Liepāja 2027 programme, three in Kuldīga Region and three in South Kurzeme Region, with a total of EUR 48,000 awarded for their implementation.

“The South Kurzeme and Kuldīga regions are rich in architectural heritage. The grand manor houses here were built by craftsmen and architects from Prussia, Saxony, the Netherlands, Sweden and other countries. Modern lifestyles have changed, the regions are becoming ever emptier, and these stately buildings are losing their former glory. In autumn 2026, the region’s most active tourism entrepreneurs and cultural event producers came together at the hackathon for the chance to turn their ideas into captivating events at these historic centres of rural life in 2027. The projects will enrich cultural and architectural routes in the Land of (un)rest and reveal the most fascinating chapters of the region’s history in innovative ways,” says Baiba Bartkeviča, Artistic Director of Liepāja 2027.

During the two-day hackathon at Laidi Manor Castle, the teams worked with mentors to refine the content of their cultural project ideas by validating the visitor experience, expanding opportunities for collaboration, and drawing up budgets and sustainability models. The ideas were tested in conversations with potential visitors, the local community, tourism professionals and partners, and at the end they were presented to a jury. In total, eight cultural venues took part in the Manor Hackathon: four from Kuldīga Region and four from South Kurzeme Region. The three best projects from each region received funding to put their ideas into practice: EUR 11,000 for first place, EUR 8,000 for second and EUR 5,000 for third.

Projects supported in Kuldīga Region

• 1st place – Ķimale Manor’s project “Five Viewpoints.” The plan is to create a self-guided story and art trail with five stops in the manor park and building. The site’s history, architecture, school years and notable figures will be revealed through contemporary outdoor installations, an exhibition, and digital visual and audio content.
• 2nd place – Laidi Manor Castle residency’s project “let go”. The project will combine the work of professional artists with the stories and participation of the local community. Workshops, getting to know the place and artistic interpretation will form the basis for new works and their public presentation, adding to the manor’s collection.
• 3rd place – Snēpele Manor’s project “Echo of the Manor.” A series of themed events will tell the story of the manor’s transformation from a hunting lodge and school into a vibrant cultural venue. Music of various genres will be woven together with the manor’s history, participatory activities, and the involvement of local residents, craftspeople and entrepreneurs.

Projects supported in South Kurzeme Region

• 1st place – Amalienburga Manor’s print workshop in Aizpute. Fragments of historic wallpaper found at the manor have become the starting point for exploring the heritage of paper and printing. The project will combine an exhibition with master classes where visitors can try papermaking, printing, calligraphy, bookbinding and other skills, as well as a Paper Festival.
• 2nd place – Cīrava Mill’s project “BRIDGE.” The project will connect people’s memories with a contemporary, multisensory cultural experience. Sound, image, space, smell and taste will help turn the mill’s stories into an adventure, and young people’s participation will become one of the foundations for interpreting the site’s heritage.
• 3rd place – Kazdanga Culture Mill’s project. The project will revive Kazdanga’s Potato Ball tradition and combine it with a celebration of the autumn equinox. The planned programme includes tastings of potato varieties and dishes, a family recipe competition, games, a Latvian sauna experience, a fire ritual and traditional Latvian folk dances, while also collecting memories and recipes.

The supported projects are to be carried out between 1 February and 1 October 2027.

The project ideas were assessed by a jury: Anta Jokste, head of “Estravel Latvia” and tourism industry professional; Asnāte Avotniece, owner of Abgunste Manor; Kārlis Anitens, director, playwright and creator of multimedia cultural experiences; Sanita Kossoviča, cultural heritage and museum development expert at the State Culture Capital Foundation; Ieva Skābarde, director of the South Kurzeme Region Tourism Centre; Jana Bergmane, head of the Kuldīga Region Tourism Development Centre; and Anna Priedola, Head of Programme Development at the foundation “Nodibinājums Liepāja 2027”.

Follow the Liepāja 2027 programme of events at liepaja2027.lv/en/events.

The project “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” is implemented by the foundation “Nodibinājums Liepāja 2027”, the Liepāja State City Municipality and the official partners, the South Kurzeme Region Municipality and the Kuldīga Region Municipality. It is co-financed by the Ministry of Culture. The Liepāja 2027 programme is supported by its main partner in environmental education and sustainability, AS “CleanR Grupa”; its main partner in air mobility and international communication, AS “Air Baltic Corporation”; its legal partner, SIA “Sorainen ZAB”; its land mobility partner, SIA “Lux Express Latvia”; and its water transport mobility and international communication partner, SIA “Stena Line”. Media partners: VSIA “Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs”, SIA “Žurnāls Santa”, SIA “Tvnet grupa” and AS “Kurzemes Radio”.

For further information

Ieva Sīpola
Project Manager
Foundation “Nodibinājums Liepāja 2027”
Phone: +371 28 858 245
E-mail: ieva.sipola@liepaja2027.lv