The foundation “Liepāja 2027” invites cultural professionals, event organisers, institution managers, producers, and everyone interested to participate in the international conference “Cultural Renovation”, which will take place on 22 October 2025, at Liepāja Concert Hall “Lielais dzintars”.
The central question of this year’s conference will be: Does culture divide or unite?
In modern society, the need for an inclusive s cultural professionals, event organisers, institution managers, producers, and everyone interested to participate in the international conference “Cultural Renovation”, which will take place on 22 October 2025, at Liepāja Concert Hall “Liecultural environment is increasingly recognised, where everyone – regardless of age, health condition, or social status – has the opportunity to participate. However, in reality, in many places in Latvia and Europe, cultural events are still only formally, not substantively, accessible.
“Cultural Renovation” will focus on how to create a cultural environment that is not only technically accessible but also truly understandable, perceptible, and meaningful to different groups of society – people with visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive, or emotional challenges, representatives of different ages, as well as people with different social experiences and needs.
The conference will encourage culture to be viewed not as a privilege but as a unifying force that creates an inclusive and understanding society. The programme includes both strategic visions and practical tools and examples from Latvia and Europe, as well as workshops where event organisers can gain specific knowledge about ensuring accessibility at their events.
Prorgam
- 9.00 Registration, morning coffee
- 9.30 Conference opening
- Agnese Lāce, Minister of Culture
- Baiba Bartkeviča, Liepāja 2027 Artistic Director and Board Member
- 9.45 More than a welcome: creating a culture of accessibility and belonging
- Vigdis Jakobsdottir, former Artistic Director of the Reykjavik Arts Festival (Iceland)
- 10.15 Theatre for children with diverse needs
- Dalija Acin Thelander, Choreographer and Academic Researcher (Sweden)
- 10.45 Seeking paths to accessibility in a concert hall. What can we say about ourselves?
- Timurs Tomsons, Director of the “Great Amber” Concert Hall
- 11.00 A conversation about cultural accessibility for people with visual and mobility impairments – from personal experience to systemic change
- Baiba Baikovska, Head of the “Ability Movement” branch of the “Agape LV” association, writer, comedian
- Thibaut de Martimprey, Head of Accessibility for Bourges 2028 (France)
- 11.30 Voices in sign language
- Ints Teterovskis, Conductor of the “Balsis” choir, implementer of the “Voices in Sign Language” project
- 11.45 Why shouldn’t you be ashamed of not knowing all the needs? From availability to accessibility!
- Ivars Balodis, Head of “Apeirons”, social worker
- 12.00 Lunch
- 13.00 The invisible world – how do the visually impaired think and see?
- Maksims Mihejevs, Creator of the “Invisible World” project
- 13.20 Theatre of the senses – seeing with your hands, listening with your heart
- Liena Šmukste, Director, actress
- 13.35 Referral to cultural activities – how to make the cultural environment psychologically safe and inclusive
- 13.50 What does digital accessibility look like?
- Pēteris Jurčenko, Usability and accessibility expert
- 14.05 Break
- 14.45 Discussion “Accessibility in culture – from policy to experience” – how accessibility in culture can become an everyday reality – from policy and laws to real experience and practical solutions
- Aigars Apinis, Vice President of the Latvian Paralympic Committee, track and field athlete
- Daiga Veinberga, Accessibility expert
- Anna Litewka-Anttolianen, Project manager, Oulu 2026 European Capital of Culture programme
- Paula Zvejniece, Freelance advisor to the Minister of Culture for cooperation with non-governmental organisations
- Moderator: Dalija Acin Thelander, Choreographer and stage artist
- 15.15 Workshops:
- Practical implementation of digital accessibility
- Pēteris Jurčenko, Usability and accessibility expert
- Dialogue Session for Cultural Leaders: How to Promote Diversity and Accessibility in the Cultural Sector
- Anna Litewka-Anttolianen, Project manager, Oulu 2026
European Capital of Culture programme
- Easy language: writing and speaking simply and understandably for everyone
- Irīna Meļņika, Head of the Easy Language Agency
- 16.30 Conclusion, informal networking
Conference program (.pdf)
The conference is organised by the foundation “Liepāja 2027”. The event is co-financed by Liepāja State City Municipality, South Kurzeme Regional Municipality, Kuldīga Regional Municipality, the Ministry of Culture of Latvia, and the “CreArt” project. The event is supported by Lux Express – the largest bus transportation company in the Baltic region.
