Liepāja 2027 represents Latvia at the 40th anniversary of the European Capital of Culture in Chemnitz

From 3 to 5 April, Liepāja 2027 directors Inta Šoriņa and Baiba Bartkeviča visited Chemnitz, Germany, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) programme together with representatives from 56 current, former and candidate Capitals of Culture, cultural experts and international partners.

Over the course of three days, participants took part in a welcome reception hosted by the mayors of Chemnitz and Nova Gorica, attended an international conference, and enjoyed a festive gala evening, reflecting on the achievements of the programme and discussing future directions.

The highlight of the conference was the presentation of the White Book “40 Recommendations from 40 Years of ECoC”, which offers valuable insights and guidelines for future Capitals of Culture, including themes such as the European dimension, sustainability, capacity building, and the role of artists.

The discussions also featured representatives from the European Commission, European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions, emphasising the importance of the programme in shaping cultural policy and fostering social cohesion. Particularly engaging were the panels titled “Visions for the Future” and “Learning from Failures”, where former ECoC leaders and experts shared their experiences.

Liepāja’s participation in this celebration highlights the city’s active involvement in the European cultural network and strengthens international cooperation on the way to 2027.

A heartfelt thank you to the teams of Chemnitz 2025 and Nova Gorica 2025, as well as all partners, for an inspiring, professionally organised, and warmly hosted celebration of the 40th anniversary of the European Capital of Culture programme!