Ambassadors

Agnese comes from North Kurzeme and jokingly says that the Capital of Culture team should find a way to bottle up the obstinance of the Kurzeme people and gift it to the guests of Liepāja 2027, as it is a useful quality that fortifies and drives ambition. Her priority as both an ambassador of Liepāja 2027 and the Minister of Culture is to ensure accessible culture for everyone. This applies to the Liepāja 2027 program and, in a broader sense, to all culture in Latvia.

Aija calls Liepāja her city of inspiration. “Each time I visit Liepāja is a celebration! This unrest of Liepāja is rest at the same time – when you come here from Rīga, you can just let go and sink into the pleasant silky sand. Each little corner of Liepāja is so creative that it fills your body and soul with inspiration to bring back to Rīga and make great things happen.” As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, Aija will invite others to claim their inspiration in Liepāja, and she will make sure of the representation of popular culture in the program of the European Capital of Culture. 

Anda believes that all residents of Latvia have had the honor of learning genuine, deep Latvianness from Liepājans. For her, Liepāja is about its special people and graduates of the Academy who have chosen to realize their potential in the city of winds. This is where she attended the first theater performance that made her believe in art’s great power. As both an ambassador and a researcher, she wants to boost the effect that creative processes can have on Liepāja’s development. She is certain that culture not only reinforces the economy, but also allows us to enrich each other.

Andris is certain that simplicity is key to the quality of life in Liepāja. It is no coincidence that they say – Liepāja is a city that combines a global scope with the benefits of a small town. Liepāja has been a starting platform for many who continue their inspiring journeys in the world, giving hope to everyone. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, Andris will attract guests from near and far to our European Capital of Culture so that they can enjoy the charm of the city of winds.

Bruno has been calling himself a partial resident of Liepāja since he became a teacher and Head of the Styling Department at the Liepāja Music, Art and Design School. Bruno views Liepāja as a different world, governed by the mood of the sea, a youthful rebellion, and impressive people. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, the artist will provide his expert advice on strengthening themes of the European Capital of Culture program that are related to contemporary art, cinema, style, and fashion.

Dace describes Liepāja, a city between the sea and lakes, as a city of unrest that encourages new adventures and challenges. In the nineteenth century, the small town of Liepāja grew into a very modern European city, and Dace is certain that the momentum of the European Capital of Culture is another opportunity to establish Liepāja’s name in Europe. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, Dace intends to show the rich cultural heritage and identity of Kurzeme, which can sometimes go unnoticed.

Dace firmly believes that Liepāja is home to courage. Nowadays, we know that courage is something that each person can access. It is an essential quality that can blossom in a person through education. Dace sees this as her mission in Liepāja – to provide everyone with an opportunity to find and release the courage within. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, she will promote collaboration between the students of the RTU Liepāja Academy and the Liepāja 2027 team, so that students can gain experience, providing a valuable resource in return.

Dagnija wishes o highlight the libraries, the readers, and the books of Liepāja. It is important for her to support the development of a strong library in Liepāja and for the city to have a society of avid readers and a young generation with an eagerness to learn. The collection of old and rare books in Liepāja is unique not only to Europe but the entire world, and it can become an important symbol for the city. As an ambassador, Dagnija will make sure that the Liepāja 2027 program promotes reading as a habit and a value.  

For Elīna Liepāja is a sanctuary of inspiration, deeply tied to her family and heritage. Strolling along the seashore’s endless line, she finds solace and harmony, fueling her brainstorming creativity and shaping her fashion collections. It’s also where she inspires her children to embrace life’s wonders. As an ambassador for Liepāja 2027, Elīna has commited to channel her expertise in fashion and style to strengthen the city’s identity as the European Capital of Culture.

Ēriks has a wish for Liepāja: “Let us always have enough courage, and let our courage become known to Europe and the world!” There is no doubt – art requires boldness and solitude. Liepāja offers both. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, Ēriks would like to encourage young people to be creative, as he was once encouraged himself. “We must talk about big dreams, our passions, what it is that drives you!”

Ernests was born and raised in Liepāja and has since traveled the world and met people from all over Europe for work. He jokes about the bullheadedness and pride of Liepājans: “Everybody says people from Kurzeme are arrogant, but is there another way for us to be? We are the best!” This is the exact attitude that the startup expert wishes upon Liepāja as the Capital of Culture. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, Ernests will share his advice on everything technology for Liepāja 2027 – programming, entrepreneurship, and artificial intelligence.  

Gunita calls Liepāja her roots that help her work on a global scale without losing her identity even in an international environment. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, Gunita will provide guidance, knowledge as well as her experience in education, entrepreneurship, and marketing to help promote Liepāja and its values, events, and products. 

Holgers admits that his connection to Liepāja is through people, mostly wild and daring ones. As a rather calm and composed person from Vidzeme, he believes that the power and vitality of our locals are inspired by the sea and the wind. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, Holgers is looking forward to borrowing some of the immense power of Liepāja and to continuing to spread awareness of the large impact of design on our everyday lives. 

Ilze was born in Liepāja and describes the city as a crucial part of her identity, a source of inspiration and power for her entire life. ‘Liepāja has always been a special place for me. Its independent creative spirit excites me and soothes me with a deep sense of belonging and home.’ As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, Ilze will provide advice, expertise, and contacts to strengthen the international program of the European Capital of Culture, as she will invite guests from all over the world to visit Liepāja in 2027.  

Ilze admits that she is a Latgalian born in Zemgale and living in Kurzeme – for her, Liepāja is all about family and celebration, excellent education, a rich and varied culture scene, and a free creative spirit. Her music studies in Liepāja have been a solid foundation for her following success in music education and professional work. As an ambassador the conductor wishes to promote music from Liepāja in Latvia, Europe, and the world. She will take active part in creating the culture program and events of Liepāja 2027 to promote the values of Liepāja and Latvia.

Inese calls Liepāja her home, place of origin and source of strength. A place to keep returning. The vastness of the sea is the Minister’s symbol for creativity and inner freedom. She believes: if you learn the boundlessness of the horizon as a child, if you have solid roots and a backbone, you can always be free inside and hold on to true values without letting anyone constrict you. The Minister is certain that this is a gift given by Liepāja to each of its children, and, as an ambassador, she wishes this experience onto everyone, including visitors of the city.

Ingūna sees Liepāja in relation to the city’s own brand, which was created by H2E several years ago. Ingūna is very proud of the Liepāja brand, of the creative red dot that has also found its way into the story of the European Capital of Culture narrative. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, Ingūna will maintain a good standard for design through creative processes and sharing her knowledge.

Irita is absolutely certain: “We all know that Liepāja is the place to be!” She expects great challenges from Liepāja as the European Capital of Culture, which might seem impossible at first but result in immense growth and advancement. Irita hopes that Liepāja 2027 will unite the state and local government with private institutions, with all parties having a sense of belonging to the project, as we can only reach the top if we work together. As an ambassador Irita sees the importance of including interdisciplinary events at Pegaza Pagalms into the CoC program. 

Ivars describes Liepāja as a beautiful, neat, inspired and creative city with great potential regarding accessibility and support for people with disabilities. Therefore, as an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, he will remind of people with disabilities and their needs in each area, at each event, and provide his expertise to make sure that the Liepāja 2027 program is inclusive of care for people with disabilities as a universal and stable value.

Ivars calls himself a truly proud resident of Liepāja. Born in Vidzeme, he has now built a life in Liepāja, a city that allows anyone to make their dreams come true and become a better version of themselves. Ivars is a father and a defender of his country, a member of the National Guard, who has been working passionately in the field of professional restoration in the recent years. As an ambassador he will collaborate with Kuldīga, Aizpute, and the South Kurzeme region to provide his knowledge and skills for the restoration of historical buildings and details.

Jānis spent his childhood in Liepāja. Growing up with the waves of the sea has given him a sense of freedom and opened many doors in the world. As a radio personality, Jānis is willing to give these Liepāja-made waves of freedom back to the city, as a thanks for the boost he was once granted. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, he will promote Liepāja as the European Capital of Culture and inspire younger generations to be bold, to reach out into the world and to return to Liepāja with new-found knowledge, skills, and wisdom. Maybe even with a book…

Jānis says that Liepāja is a place of beautiful reflections between nature and people. Both have an abundance of creativity, freedom, insistence, and ability to change. As an ambassador, Jānis and the FEE will help to maintain a strong ‘green’ core in the context of (un)rest, with the ‘greenness’ presenting itself not only in theory, but in action as well. Even though sustainability is not a new concept, it is still rather nuanced. Together, we can make the difficult process easier through joy and collaboration, with an understanding and a clear foundation for long-term results.

Juris was born in Rīga, but Liepāja is dear to his heart both because his wife is from here and because Juris sees Liepāja as an open and engaged city for various kinds of innovation, especially in technology. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, he is willing to continue the development of technology in the city of winds and to create innovations that could be incorporated within the Capital of Culture program. Juris and most Liepāja natives also share a passion for motorsports. 

Kristīne has a deep appreciation for the city’s special landscape that combines nature and history. She is certain that the city is most influenced by its people, who are able to hear, see, and feel a collective responsibility for shaping their own environment. These people are the real wind of the city, capable of shifting things and initiating change. As an ambassador, Kristīne wishes to promote contemporary dance and continue her work with communities by developing emotional and socially responsible art together with other artists and building ties with local communities. 

Līga comes from Latgale and admits that Liepāja seemed unreachable to her as a child, but now it has become a place to give in to the sea winds, to enjoy culture and to walk its charming streets. As an ambassador the researcher will help to shape the program to be inclusive and reach not only aficionados but also engage and unite local communities. Līga is also appreciative of the fact that the project management of is based on good administration and inspires trust that the involved institutions are utilizing this status as best as they can.

Madars praises the creative people of Liepāja and the city’s unique architecture and urban environment, which encourages creativity and artistic expression. For him, Liepāja is not only about being proud to be a part of it, but also a vast potential for the growth of culture and arts. As an ambassador he will continue supporting the development of creative communities, especially in Karosta, where Atmodas Dārzs will serve as a hub for creative events. This place will become a platform to engage both local and international artists.

Marta associates Liepāja with a free creative spirit. Ever since she was a child, she has viewed people from Liepāja as especially talented, musically gifted, and very interesting. She believes that the concentration of creative people per square meter in the city is so high that you can’t really avoid meeting someone exciting or getting involved in a sudden adventure. She filmed her newest film, BUM, in Liepāja. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, Marta will provide advice for developing the children’s program of the European Capital of Culture.

Mārtiņš calls Liepāja his home and compares the city to a restless phoenix that rises every now and again. The period leading up to the European Capital of Culture year is a stage of amazing flight. Mārtiņš has no doubt that Liepāja, with its fantastic power, can grow to become even more beautiful and prosperous than it already is. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, he will stand and fight for this growth both with his knowledge and his love for the city.

Mārtiņš calls Liepāja his home and takes pride in the city’s long tradition in motorsports. ‘In 1965, my grandfather organized the first motorsports race in Liepāja, and, in 2024, we brought the World Rally Championship with over 80 million TV viewers across the globe.’ As an ambassador of the European Capital of Culture, it is important for Mārtiņš to present Liepāja as an attractive magnet to the world.

Orests got to know Liepāja in the 1990s, which he remembers as a beautiful period, a time filled with love and discoveries, with a special place in his memories for Liepāja. Through the Great Amber and the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, his ties to the city have become stronger and deeper. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, Orests will perfect the music program of the European Capital of Culture, thus allowing Liepājans and city guests to broaden their horizons. 

Ralfs feels almost like a Liepāja local because his grandmother is from Liepāja and he has lived here for quite some time. Ralfs enjoys Liepāja the most in summer when he wants to escape the crowds in Rīga. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, Ralfs will pay special attention to the representation of popular culture in the program of the European Capital of Culture and invite guests from near and far. 

Rasa compares Liepāja to a serum of truth: ‘The culture life of Liepāja and its creative activities are dominated by simple, relatable truths.’ Rasa associates Liepāja with peace, simplicity, and unpretentiousness that advances creativity. She appreciates the proximity of nature as it is calming and helpful in healthily distancing oneself from everyday worries. As an ambassador the playwright stands for a strong social engagement program and she will give advice on creating rich content for families with children. She will also be involved in activities at the Liepāja Theater.

Santa was born in Liepāja and is certain that the city’s soul is characterized by fortitude, romance, challenge, and perseverance, and these qualities have greatly shaped her own personality: ‘I am an embodiment of the city’s toughness and sensitivity. Us Liepājans have always been in the presence of a distant sea horizon that drives us and a wind that forges our character. Yet, we always yearn for warm shelter and human understanding.’ Santa advocates for the accessibility of the program for every resident of Liepāja.

Solvita associates Liepāja primarily with wind and energy created by the powerful presence of nature, the unique history and culture, which includes outstanding architecture, the first tram line in Latvian history, the Liepāja-New York liner, the city theater, the concert hall and strong educational institutions. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, Solvita would like to use various platforms and collaboration networks to help put Liepāja on the global map with the same intensity as in past centuries, and to make sure that the name of Liepāja would need no further explanation in the world.

Timurs arrived in Liepāja eight years ago, and his favorite things are the beautiful beach of Liepāja and, of course, the Concert Hall, which is profoundly connected to the rich history of professional music in the city. The Berliner Philharmoniker were established in 1882, the Liepāja Philharmonic – in 1881. Liepāja has always been one step ahead. As an ambassador of the European Capital of Culture, Timurs will play an even more active role in bringing the name of Liepāja into the world and opening the doors of the Great Amber to art and people.

Uldis says Liepāja are where his roots are: ‘Liepāja is where my parents and grandparents come from, this is where my family is from. Liepāja has shaped the framework of my entire life, my personality, and my core essence.’ As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, Uldis stands for the international aspect of the European Capital of Culture program, and he will apply his knowledge, experience, and vast network of contacts to help carry the name of Liepāja into the world.

Valters was once a frequent guest in Liepāja for theater, and he chose to move here because of its special cultural environment and artists. As an ambassador of Liepāja 2027, Valters will promote theater in Liepāja as a meeting point for various arts and different people in a single living process. He will tell about art that allows us to be together and share thoughts and emotions related to painful, global, and deeply personal matters.