Liepāja 2027 Opening Weekend

The European Capital of Culture year begins with special events celebrating its beginning across the entire (un)rest Land – at cultural venues in Liepāja, South Kurzeme and Kuldīga.

On 22 January, Kuldīga and South Kurzeme host the first opening events, giving visitors a chance to get a feel for the cultural character of both regions through a series of splendid activities.

On 23 January, Liepāja marks its official opening day. The morning starts with an exciting amber hunt on Liepāja beach, followed by museum activities linked to the international exhibition “Baltic Amber Takes the World by Surprise”, which explores amber’s place in culture, history and contemporary art. At “The Trail-Blazer” exhibition, visitors can discover the visual-arts heritage of Liepāja and the (un)rest Land. At the same time, guests can follow the “Path of (un)rest” – an audio walk that brings together stories, places and voices, offering a sense of how the city has grown and where it is heading. Five performative stops introduce the thematic lines of the Liepāja 2027 programme and offer a preview of upcoming (un)rest programme events. The “Path of (un)rest” draws all into Liepāja’s beating heart, as the swelling human tide transforms into a pulsing arterial current of shared song.

The day builds towards two major musical events: the open-air concert-performance “City Symphony”, created by Liepāja’s artists and collectives under the direction of Matīss Kaža, and the opening concert and ceremony at the Great Amber Concert Hall, featuring Ēriks Ešenvalds’ new work “Wind Symphony”, composed for this occasion only.

After the official opening, local residents and city guests are all welcome to continue the evening across the city – in bars, restaurants, cafés, clubs, galleries and other cultural spaces. For one night, Liepāja becomes a living cultural map, where music, performances, light, taste, dance and conversation flow from one place to the next – from established institutions to small corners of alternative art. Each event adds its own beat to the city; together, they create an atmosphere where everyone can sense the bold and energetic character of this lively (un)rest Land.

On 24 January, those keen to explore can discover Liepāja’s paradoxes through the thrilling tourist routes in Karosta and other neighbourhoods – places that inspired the Liepāja 2027 programme and can be revisited throughout the year when returning to the (un)rest Land.

Organised by Liepāja 2027 and the winners of the co-funding competition