Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 Opening. “Our place. Our story of European (un)rest” in Aizpute

The opening events of the European Capital of Culture year will take place in Liepāja, as well as across the regions of South Kurzeme and Kuldīga, with Aizpute being one of the locations hosting the celebrations. Here, history will meet the present, revealing the stories of South Kurzeme and its connections with Europe. Visitors can look forward to an interactive exhibition, an audio walk and a theatrical concert performance.

• Interactive Exhibition “European (un)rest in South Kurzeme”

From 22 to 24 January 2027, an interactive exhibition created in collaboration with museums, heritage collections and libraries across South Kurzeme will be on display in the hall of the Aizpute Culture House.

The multimedia exhibition will bring together historical objects illustrating Europe’s cultural, economic and social influence on the region throughout different periods. Each exhibit will be accompanied by lighting, sound and digital storytelling, allowing visitors to explore South Kurzeme’s place in European history.

• Audio Walk “Right Across the Street”

A permanent audio walking route will be created in the urban environment of Aizpute, telling the story of the early 1990s – a time when Latvia regained its independence and returned to the European cultural sphere.

The route will focus on the experiences of young people in Aizpute, the early days of Mārtiņš Freimanis and the band Tumsa, their first songs, dreams and creative freedom. Each stop will feature an audio story that visitors can enjoy at their own pace, including after the opening event.

• 17.00 Theatrical Concert Performance “Our (un)rest Europe”

The centrepiece of the opening programme will be a theatrical concert performance at the Aizpute Culture House, developed in collaboration with Latvian and international professionals in dramaturgy and directing, with the aim of presenting the region’s story in a European context.

The performance will bring together amateur arts groups, choirs and young people from South Kurzeme, alongside professional artists. Its dramaturgy will draw on historical narratives, exhibition materials, the experiences of Mārtiņš Freimanis’s generation and messages from young people to Europe.