News

Launching the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme initiative “Salmon Song”, a public discussion titled “Spawning is not a buffet” took place on Saturday, 25 April, in Kuldīga. The event brought together members of the public and industry representatives to draw attention to the critical state of salmon populations and related environmental issues.

On Wednesday, 22 April, the introductory symposium of the festival “Atmospheric Waves”, part of the Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 programme, took place.

On Saturday, May 2, as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme, the second Aizpute Old Town Festival will take place, transforming the city’s historic centre into a joint cultural and social gathering, where people can come together, creative activities take shape, performances are staged, and all kinds of things find new owners.

The first event — the public discussion “Spawning is not a buffet” — will take place on April 25, 2026 at 4 PM on the Venta riverbank at the end of Ventspils Street, opposite the Kuldīga viewing tower. The event will conclude with a campfire concert.

On 4 May, marking the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia, residents of Liepāja and visitors to the city are invited to a Freedom Day concert at Jānis Čakste Square.

This weekend, April 24 – 25, as part of the Liepāja 2027 – European Capital of Culture program, the 19th International Storytelling Festival “Ziv zup” (Fish Soup) will take place in Kuldīga and Alsunga, continuing to cherish and celebrate the region’s rich tangible cultural heritage – the storytelling tradition, traditional music, and cuisine.

On Thursday, 16 April, composer Pēteris Vasks celebrated his 80th birthday with a concert in his hometown of Aizpute. The concert is one of the events in the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme concert series “Gems of South Kurzeme”, which aims to showcase the outstanding personalities of the South Kurzeme region to Latvia and Europe.

On 9 May, Liepāja 2027 will mark Europe Day with a programme of activities across Liepāja, South Kurzeme and Kuldīga, designed to strengthen civic awareness and foster a shared sense of belonging to the European community.

On July2, experimental music festival Skaņu Mežs will hold an exclusive mini-edition in the city of Liepāja, featuring musical acts and sound artists from Latvia, Japan, Norway, United Kingdom, Sweden and Germany.

As part of the European Capital of Culture programme “Liepāja 2027”, the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra will present three major musical events at the festival “Opera by the Sea”, featuring internationally acclaimed soloists, including Marina Rebeka and Lusiana Mansini, and performing newly commissioned works.