Symposium and Masterclasses of the Skills Exchange Platform “Skill Market” at the Līvas Village Festival

On 23 and 24 May, during the Līvas Village Festival in Jūrmala Park, Liepāja, the symposium of the Skills Exchange Platform “Skills Market” project, part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme, will take place. The symposium will feature masterclasses, demonstrations of traditional skills, and discussions on cultural spaces, craftsmanship, and the significance of intangible cultural heritage in contemporary society.

On 23 May at 12:45 pm, the symposium will open at the Skills Market tent (located in Jūrmala Park, in the square in front of the main stage) with performances by the Rucava Ethnographic Ensemble and the Rucava folk band Paurupīte.

From 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm, the discussion “Cultural Space – Guardian of Traditions: Advantage or Burden?” will take place, featuring Daiga Straupeniece, Head of the Rucava Cultural Space Development Association; Gunta Klievēna, representative of the Bārta Cultural Space and leader of the Bārta Ethnographic Ensemble; and Barbara Freiberga, Board Member of JaunLiepāja, Project Manager at the Latvian Civic Alliance, and Chair of the Board of the Latvian Creative Residencies Association.

To conclude the day, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, the discussion “Transferring Traditional Crafts into the Modern Day” will bring together shoemaker Andris Kačkāns, founder and manager of Kristāla kurpīte Ltd., and Ira Cīrule, Head of the Liepāja Crafts House, who will share their experiences.

On 24 May at 11:00 am, visitors are invited to participate in a bark basket weaving masterclass led by Andris Kačkāns. Advance registration is recommended by calling or texting +371 26 107 720 (Daina), as places are limited.

From 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, a discussion titled “Can Traditional Skills and Knowledge Be Sold?” will explore the value and viability of heritage-based knowledge today. One of the speakers will be Vaira Kārkliņa, Head of the Skara Nature Studio and Liepzars Floral Design Studio.

Throughout the Līvas Village Festival, visitors will also be able to enjoy a variety of creative workshops and demonstrations of traditional skills provided by Liepāja Crafts House, applied arts studios of the Liepāja Folk Art and Culture Centre, Skara Nature Studio, Liepzars Floral Design Studio, representatives of the Rucava cultural space, and other craftspeople.

“Skills Market” is a creative education platform initiated by the Liepāja Folk Art and Culture Centre and implemented as part of the Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 programme.

The project places special emphasis on preserving traditional skills and passing them on to future generations while seeking contemporary ways to integrate craftsmanship and cultural heritage into modern society. Project activities will run from October 2025 until May 2027.

The (un)rest programme of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 is implemented by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation, with funding allocated by the City of Liepāja, the South Kurzeme and Kuldīga municipalities, and the Ministry of Culture. The “Liepāja 2027” programme is supported by its main partner in environmental education and sustainability, AS “CleanR Grupa”, Jsc; its main partner in air mobility and international communications, AS “airBaltic Corporation”, legal partner: Sorainen Law Office, Ltd., Jsc; and its land mobility partner, SIA “Lux Express Latvia”, Ltd. Media partners: VSIA “Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs”, Ltd. and AS “Kurzemes Radio”, Jsc.