News

One of the most celebrated works in contemporary European performance is coming to Latvia for the first time. The internationally acclaimed Lithuanian opera-performance Sun & Sea (“Saulė ir jūra”) – winner of the Golden Lion for Best National Participation at the 2019 Venice Biennale – will be staged at Liepāja Great Amber Concert Hall from 8 to 11 April 2027, as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme.

The conference will take place on 4 November 2026, from 9:00 to 18:30, at the Great Amber Concert Hall in Liepāja, and will turn its attention to socially engaged contemporary art practices and to collaboration with the many communities that live in, and help shape, the city.

In August 2027, as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme, the international “Zenta Mauriņa Summer School” will take place in Southern Kurzeme, conceived as a space for dialogue and collaborative artistic activity.

The Liepāja 2027 Foundation is inviting everyone regardless of age or place of residence to take part in the creation of “Fabrics of Reality”, a new work by the internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota (塩田千春), by writing a personal letter that will become part of the finished installation. Letters will be accepted until 30 November 2026.

To strengthen public participation in cultural life, support the delivery of a diverse events calendar, encourage international cooperation and exchange, and help people build new skills, the Liepāja 2027 Foundation is inviting to join its volunteer programme, “Mission (Un)rest”. Applications will be open from 8 to 28 September 2026.

On Saturday, 12 September, from 13.00 to 16.00, the Open Courtyard Festival will take place in the historic centre of Aizpute.

From 7 September to 12 October 2026, the people of Liepāja are invited to take part in a public vote choosing four values that represent their city. These values – a personality, a place, an event and a symbol – will shape the artistic storyline of “Human Forest”, the opening event of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027.

The call is part of the Liepāja 2027 project cluster “Nordic Solstice”, which explores Latvian Midsummer and solstice traditions – their preservation, contemporary reinterpretation, and the cultural links they share with the Baltic and Nordic countries. Applications can be submitted until 23:59 on 5 October 2026.

On Saturday, August 29, in the Polīšu ravines of Vārme Parish, Kuldīga Municipality, as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” community programme, a leisurely walk took place along the Šķēde River and the surrounding steep sandstone outcrops.

Today, August 26, the Liepāja 2027 Cultural Breakfast took place at the Liepāja Latvian Society House, bringing together representatives of the culture industry and collaboration partners.