Photography Legend David Burnett to Visit Latvia with an Exhibition and Masterclass

On 29 and 30 August, the Great Amber Concert Hall in Liepāja will open its doors to the international photo conference “Vision & Voices 2025: Photography for a Connected World”.

This landmark event is heralding a series of artistic undertakings that will culminate in the historic photo campaign “One Day in Latvia” in 2027, marking a 20-year cycle since its inception in 1987.

To join the photo conference, register at vienadiena.lv!

Among the distinguished voices on the conference stage will be the legendary David Burnett (USA) – a master of photojournalism whose lens has shaped the visual record of the past half-century. From world leaders to cultural icons, Burnett has immortalized figures such as Bob Marley, John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama, Mikhail Gorbachev, Augusto Pinochet, and Bill Gates, crafting an indelible narrative of modern history. He owns highest echelons of photographic recognition, including World Press Photo Award, where he has also served as a juror three times. “American Photo” magazine named him as “among the 100 most influential people in photography”

In September, Burnett will also unveil a solo exhibition at the Ola Foundation, a newly established creative space dedicated to the intersection of culture, art, music, education, and critical discourse. Ilze Pīlēna, co-founder of the foundation, reflects: “Hosting a photographer of such calibre is both an honour and an affirmation of our belief that photography is more than an art form – it is a way of seeing, of remembering, of capturing the soul of a fleeting moment.”

“One Day in Latvia” is a unique photographic chronicle. Its origins trace back to 1987, when 74 photographers set out to document a single day in the life of Latvia – its people, its places, its pulse. Two decades later, in 2007, over 400 participants revisited this endeavour, capturing the transformations of a nation in flux. These two projects, bound into a historic volume, now serve as a visual time capsule of Latvia’s evolving identity. The 2027 edition will carry this legacy forward, preserving its artistic and documentary essence.

Viesturs Koziols, a driving force behind the initiative, underscores the project’s significance: “The One Day in Latvia proves, that photography is not merely an act of documentation – it is an instrument of civic consciousness, a mirror reflecting both the spirit of a society and its silent revolutions. The overwhelming participation of world-class photographers, Latvian masters, and dedicated patrons only reaffirms its cultural gravity. The power of photography to shape narratives and history remains as formidable as ever.”

Liepāja will be hosting “Vision & Voices 2025: Photography for a Connected World” as part of the European Capital of Culture 2027 program. Inta Šoriņa, Chair of the Board of the Foundation Liepāja 2027, highlights the city’s role: “Photography, in its essence, is a keeper of identity and memory. This conference is more than a meeting of minds – it is a catalyst for new artistic dialogues, a forge where local and international talents converge. We are thrilled that this journey towards 2027 is punctuated by such a meaningful return of One Day in Latvia to Liepāja.”

To further engage the public, the project’s partner, insurance technology company “Balcia”, has launched a photography competition with substantial rewards. “YOU. EVERYWHERE. NOW” invites photographers to capture Latvia in its raw, unfiltered essence, crafting an honest and vibrant portrayal of our present era. Three winners will each receive a €500 cash prize, an exclusive masterclass with one of Latvia’s leading photographers, and the opportunity to attend the “Vision & Voices 2025” conference. Submissions open on 27 March and are welcomed from both professionals and amateurs alike.

More details can be found at thehappening.lv.

The “Vision & Voices 2025” conference and “One Day in Latvia” project are organized by the Association “VienaDiena.lv” with the support of “Balcia”. Creative collaboration comes from the “Ola Foundation”, with additional partners including “Promenade Hotel” and “Art Hotel Roma”, in cooperation with the “Liepāja 2027” foundation.

The media launch for the project took place at “Ola Foundation”, where guests explored ongoing art exhibitions alongside rare images from previous “One Day in Latvia” campaigns. The works of Valts Kleins, Mārtiņš Sīlis, Viesturs Koziols, and Poland’s Janek Skarżyński offered a glimpse into the photographic legacy that continues to unfold.

Among the speakers at the event were:

1. Alnis Stakle – Photographer and Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Communication, Rīga Stradiņš University
2. Viesturs Koziols – Entrepreneur, visionary, and co-organizer of One Day in Latvia
3. Inta Šoriņa – Chair of the Board, Liepāja 2027 Foundation
4. Jānis Lucaus – Chairman of the Board, Balcia Insurance
5. Ilze Pīlēna – Co-founder of the Ola Foundation

Information provided by project producer Inga Praņevska, +371 20 370 991, inga.pranevska@gmail.com