Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 Opening Concert: Wind Symphony

On January 23, 2027, at 9 p.m., the opening concert of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027, entitled Wind Symphony, will take place in the Great Hall of the Great Amber Concert Hall. The evening will feature the world premiere of Wind Symphony, a composition by Ēriks Ešenvalds, specially commissioned for this occasion.

The premiere will be accompanied by a thematic video narrative created by brothers Lauris and Mārcis Ābele. It tells the story of Nāra, a mythical being washed ashore, who, guided by a creative glow, discovers the city, its character, and its people.

Nāra’s supernatural power to ignite creative (un)rest opens up extraordinary new horizons and inspires courage to forge one’s own path of discovery. For those who encounter Nāra, creative (un)rest and the path shaped by the surging waves of the Kurzeme coast begin to shimmer like amber.

This extraordinary story will be brought to life through a live musical performance by a Latvian jazz trio. The stage will also welcome the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Guntis Kuzma, the Rīga Wind Orchestra, conducted by Valdis Butāns, and soloist Annija Kristiāna Ādamsone.

The evening will be hosted by Mārtiņš Meiers and Agnese Jēkabsone-Ozoliņa.

Creative Team

Director – LAURA
Set Design – Sintija Jēkabsone
Script – Mārtiņš Meiers
Costumes – Fjodors Podgornijs
Lights – Oskars Pauliņš
Video – Lauris Ābele and Mārcis Ābele

Concert in two parts
Total duration: approximately 2 hours 30 minutes

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”.