Harijs Zariņš, Aija Andrejeva, Ivo Fomins, and “bet bet” to perform at Skrunda’s rock festival “Rock for Freedom”

8. June, 2025

Continuing the revived rock festival tradition, the second edition of “Rock for Freedom” will take place on July 5 at the Skrunda open-air stage.

Throughout the day, a variety of activities for both children and adults will take place across the town of Skrunda. The festival will culminate in a grand concert featuring Latvian music stars: singer Aija Andrejeva, guitarist Harijs Zariņš, the legendary band “bet bet”, and the charismatic singer Ivo Fomins. Each artist will perform a special program of their most popular songs.

“I’m truly happy to once again share the stage with the singer of my heart, Aija, and her amazing band. Especially in Skrunda, where her father Alex and I once ‘blew the roof off’ for ourselves and the audience. See you at the rock celebration in Skrunda!” says legendary guitarist Harijs Zariņš.

It is worth noting that rock concerts are nothing new to Skrunda, where the rock tradition has been alive for over thirty years. In 1994, the first historic concert “Rock Against the Skrunda Radar” was held at the Skrunda stage to draw attention to unresolved issues of Latvia’s independence and defense, expressing a stance against the Skrunda radar station, located near the city, which symbolized Soviet military presence.

A timeline of rock in Skrunda:

  • 1994 – Legendary concert “Rock Against the Skrunda Radar” at the Skrunda open-air stage
  • 1995 – “Rock Against Militarism” gathers thousands of freedom supporters
  • 1998 – The tradition continues with another “Rock Against Militarism” concert
  • 2015 – The tradition is revived with “Rock for Freedom”
  • 2016 – Another “Rock for Freedom” concert
  • 2024 – After a break, the “Rock for Freedom” festival is revived
  • 2025 – The festival continues to establish itself as an annual tradition

The concert is organized by the production company Art Management Group in collaboration with the Skrunda Town and Parish Administration, with the commitment not only to revive this symbolically meaningful tradition but to turn it into one of the most vibrant cultural events of the summer in the Kurzeme region.

“We believe that organizing a concert like this is an opportunity to be part of a historical tradition with deep cultural and historical significance. For the audience, it’s an unforgettable musical experience with Latvia’s most beloved artists,” say the organizers.

Visitors to the grand concert “Rock for Freedom” are invited to feel the joy and spirit of freedom by singing along to some of Latvia’s best songs and honoring Latvian rock music as an essential part of the nation’s cultural heritage.

Admission is free for children up to 7 years of age. Tickets for the grand concert are available at “Biļešu Paradīze” ticket outlets.

The concert is organized with the financial support of the “Liepāja 2027” Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia within the framework of the “Rock the Rock” project competition.