The foundation “Liepāja 2027” has concluded the procurement process for the organisation of Liepaja’s 400th Anniversary Celebration Concert. After evaluating three proposals, the joint bid from SIA “Šarmants” and SIA “Liepāja Music” was selected as the most successful, meeting both the content and technical requirements for the concert performance “Personal Code: Liepāja.”
This concert performance “Personal Code: Liepāja” is designed to symbolically and emotionally capture the essence of Liepāja – its identity, core values, and spirit. The concept of a “personal code” serves as a metaphor just like a “personal ID number” for the deep connection between the city and its people, bridging its rich history, vibrant present, and ambitious vision for the future. At the heart of the performance is the theme of encounters: the interplay of artistic styles, generations, and historical eras. The programme reflects the soul of Liepāja – a city where humanity merges seamlessly with nature and the past connects dynamically with the future.
The concert will take place across three stages – “Heart of the City”, “Lake”, and “Sea”, as well as incorporating urban elements, including the rooftops of buildings. The show will blend music, choreography, visual and luminous effects, and custom-made video content.
Composer Uldis Marhilevičs and poet Guntars Račs will contribute a new song cycle titled “Lake and Sea” composed to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the city. The programme will also feature music from Liepaja’s golden repertoire, including works by the celebrated composer Imants Kalniņš and songs by the legendary band “Līvi”. Special arrangements by composer Jānis Strazds will add a contemporary flair.
The lineup includes a diverse cast of musicians and actors, including rock stars Ivo Fomins and Aija Andrejeva, soloists Laura Bulava and Andris Ērglis, and rising talents like Jānis Eduards Juņins and Paula Kalna. Actors Mārtiņš Vilsons and Agnese Jēkabsone will host the event, tying together its vibrant narrative.
The concert will weave historical documents and stories with contributions from Liepaja’s prominent and creatives figures, both from past and present. Video greetings from renowned Latvians and music by composer Lolita Ritmane will add a global dimension while preserving an intimate connection to Liepaja’s heritage.“Personal Code: Liepāja” will take place on 18 March 2025, welcoming both residents and visitors to celebrate the city’s 400th anniversary. This performance aims to honour Liepaja’s history while envisioning its future, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Further information about the concert will be announced soon.
As already reported, in October 2024, Liepāja 2027 foundation initiated a public procurement for the conceptualisation and full-scale execution of the main celebration concert. Proposals were assessed by a dedicated committee, which selected the most economically advantageous bid, considering both cost and the artistic quality of the proposed concept, as well as the bidder’s capacity to deliver a large-scale event.
The procurement documentation is available at the following link.
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.