Thank you to all those local residents and the more than 740 partners who have been with us since the beginning of the European Capital of Culture 2027 competition.
The International Jury arrived in Liepāja today, on May 3rd, to meet the application team, the people of Liepāja and the regions, and we had to showcase the best of what we have and to present first-hand our potential to carry the title of European Capital of Culture 2027.
Today we have been given 8 hours to demonstrate the vast potential of the Kurzeme region – we have created the day’s programme so that the jury members can get to see and feel the paradoxes of Liepāja, and the special added value offer of the regions.
We feel grateful for the opportunity to be considered for this title, because all this preliminary work has already helped to improve not only our strategic processes, but also the very practical everyday interaction between institutions and residents.
Not only have we established close cooperation with cultural, educational and social players at local and national level, but we also have a broad cooperation with international partners, not only from Europe.
Within the framework of the Liepāja (un)rest concept, an extensive five-line programme has been created, representing a variety of genres, to address key issues that are relevant for both Liepāja and Europe as a whole.
Each of the five programme lines – “European Dream”, “Port Paradox”, “New Eyes”, “Deliberate Modesty” and “Creative Foresight” – reveals a story closely linked to Liepāja and its ties with Europe.We keep fingers crossed for Valmiera and Daugavpils to have a successful jury visit and wish all us the best in presenting the diversity of each city’s opportunities and programme.
The European Capital of Culture 2027 Bid Day will take place on May 9th at the National Library of Latvia, where all three candidate cities will defend their bid in front of the international jury.
The outcome of the European Capital of Culture 2027 competition will be announced on May 10th.
The Supervisory Board’s purpose is to oversee the project’s content, financial utilization, and achieved results, as well as to facilitate cooperation between municipalities, state institutions, and other stakeholders.
Launching the month of Liepāja’s 400th anniversary celebration, the Liepāja Holy Trinity Cathedral on Saturday, 1 March 2025, at 17:00 will host a sacred music concert, “Caur gaismu nāk un sudrabs top” (Through Light Cometh Silver Shine). This event brings under single musical umbrella newly composed works by Liepāja-spirited composers Ēriks Ešenvalds, Jānis Lūsēns, and Andris Kontauts, paired with samples from the cathedral’s historical sheet music collection, creating a harmonious bridge between past and present.
This competition was launched to inspire the creation of an innovative and artistically refined environmental object that integrates seamlessly into Liepaja’s urban landscape.