The light we kindle on 11 November is a tribute of gratitude and respect to those who fought courageously and selflessly for Latvia’s freedom. It is a reminder of the past that we cherish and the values we pass on to future generations. On Lāčplēsis Day, we will come together in the light to honour those who fought for our freedom and reaffirm our sense of belonging to our country. In Liepāja, everyone is invited to join the commemorations, enjoy a concert by the neo-folk group “Jauno Jāņu orķestris” in Jānis Čakste Square and take part in the traditional torchlight procession through the city.
At 6 pm, the neo-folk group “Jauno Jāņu orķestris”, led by musician Juris Kaukulis, will take to the stage in Jānis Čakste Square for a patriotic concert. The programme will feature a specially selected collection of well-known and inspiring songs from the group’s repertoire, with lyrics drawn from Latvian folk songs (dainas) and works by other Latvian authors.
The group brings together a number of well-known Latvian musicians: vocalist and guitarist Juris Kaukulis, drummer Artis Orubs, keyboard player Kaspars Tobis, classical and metal musician Andris Veinbergs (double bass and bass guitar), folk tradition enthusiast, singer and violinist Ieva Mūrniece, and multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Valērijs Cīrulis. Aigars Kārkliņš will address concertgoers and participants in the torchlight procession with words of encouragement and patriotic reflection.
From 6.30 pm, participants will be invited to form up, following instructions from the young guards (Jaunsargi) and the event host. As in previous years, the formation will be organised by historian and coordinator of national-patriotic organisations Juris Raķis. This year, the torchlight procession will be led by Māris Ceika, Senior Chief Petty Officer of the Specialised Coastal Defence Battalion.
Participants will assemble on Rožu Street, starting at the junction with Krišjānis Valdemārs Street and proceeding towards Alejas Street, before continuing along Alejas Street in the direction of Jēkaba Janševska Street.
Participants are asked to form up in rows of five. Those taking part as representatives of schools and organisations who have registered for the procession will be able to collect their torches from the distribution point in Jānis Čakste Square, next to the large Latvian flag. Residents of Liepāja and visitors wishing to take part individually are welcome to bring their own torches. The torches will be lit at approximately 6.50 pm.
This year, the flag-bearing contingent at the Lāčplēsis Day torchlight procession will consist of ten Latvian national flags, carried by pupils from Liepāja Rainis Secondary School.
The procession will include representatives of the Liepāja municipal administration, military garrison units, national-patriotic organisations, the Naval Forces Brass Band, armed forces veterans, young people from more than 20 educational institutions in Liepāja, as well as firefighters, border guards, employees of various institutions and organisations, local residents and visitors wishing to be part of this patriotic occasion.
The torchlight procession will set off at 7 pm, following the streets of the city centre. It will begin in Jānis Čakste Square, cross the Tram Bridge, continue along Raiņa Street and then proceed along Oskars Kalpaks Street, ending at the Northern Cemetery (Ziemeļu kapi).
At the Monument to the Freedom Fighters, those gathered will be addressed by Gunārs Ansiņš, Chair of the Liepāja City Council, Dāvids Šterns, Chaplain of the Naval Forces, and a representative of the National Armed Forces.
The commemorative ceremony will be led by Leons Leščinskis, while soloist Evita Teterovska and pianist Romāns Vendiņš will provide a special musical performance, creating an atmosphere befitting this historic day of remembrance.
Following the ceremony, participants are asked to extinguish their torches and leave them at the designated collection points located opposite the cemetery.
A bus will be provided for victims of political repression and anyone unable to walk the procession route, enabling them to attend the commemorative ceremony at the Northern Cemetery. The bus will be stationed outside the Liepāja Lithuanian Cultural Association at 9 Alejas Street. It will depart for the Northern Cemetery at 6.45 pm and, following the ceremony, will return to the city centre from Tīklu Street at approximately 8.30 pm.
In honour of the freedom fighters, the memorial stelae in Lāčplēsis Garden will be illuminated from 6 pm to 10 pm. The stelae commemorate recipients of the Lāčplēsis Military Order. This symbolic light installation will offer an opportunity to remember, in quiet reflection and with due respect, all those who fought for Latvia’s freedom.
For more information about the national holiday celebrations in Liepāja, visit:
www.liepaja.lv/valstssvetki2026
Information provided by:
Evija Timbra
Liepāja Cultural Administration
Public Relations and Marketing Project Manager
Phone: 63 483 941
Email: Evija.Timbra@liepaja.lv
