On 21 June, the square near the Kazdanga bus stop and the shore of Lake Dzirnavezers became a gathering place for Midsummer celebrations and a fire ritual, bringing together local residents of Kazdanga and traditional music performers from Oulu, Finland – European Capital of Culture 2026. The event marked the launch of the “Nordic Solstice” project of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 in South Kurzeme.
The celebration was organised in collaboration with the association “Kazdangas Dzirnavas” and its representatives, Elīna and Ernests Medenis, who have been maintaining this type of Midsummer ritual since 2021. One of the association’s key objectives is the preservation, collection, research, and revival of local traditional cultural heritage.
The ritual was rooted in local traditions. Through research and documentation of historical customs, folklorist Iveta Medene discovered evidence that a straw figure was once burned during Midsummer celebrations in Kazdanga. Reviving this tradition created a meaningful connection between past and present, allowing participants to experience an authentic element of local cultural heritage.
A special atmosphere was created by Staņislava Skudiķe, leader of the Rucava Ethnographic Ensemble and a Liepāja 2027 Ambassador, together with the Rucava folk band “Paurupīte”, the “Rīgas danči” community of the Riga Latvian Society House, and musician Aivars Ērglis.
The event formed part of the Liepāja 2027 project “Nordic Solstice”, which will culminate in 2027 by bringing together traditional summer solstice celebrations and their contemporary interpretations across Liepāja, South Kurzeme, and Kuldīga. In preparation for this, Liepāja 2027 organised a series of masterclasses in Kazdanga during April and May under the title “Midsummer on a Farm”.
Participants gained both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in organising traditional Midsummer celebrations. A total of 25 farms took part in the programme, including 16 from the South Kurzeme region, and these farms are now preparing to open their homesteads for shared celebrations with wider audiences in 2027.
The event demonstrated the enduring value of traditions in strengthening community bonds and preserving cultural identity. Traditions connect generations, carrying stories, knowledge, and shared experiences from the past into the future. By rediscovering and practising ancestral customs, communities not only honour their heritage but also create meaningful opportunities for people to come together, celebrate belonging, and inspire future generations to continue these living traditions. In a rapidly changing world, such cultural practices remind us of our roots and help foster a deeper sense of place, continuity, and community.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Midsummer celebration! We look forward to seeing you again next year at the Nordic Solstice festivities!
The “Nordic Solstice” project is being implemented by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation. Total project funding amounts to 468,310 euros, co-financed by the City of Liepāja (33,667 euros), South Kurzeme Municipality (50,000 euros), Kuldīga Municipality (20,000 euros), and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia (364,643 euros).
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”, Jsc; its partner in legal matters SIA “Sorainen ZAB”, Ltd; its land mobility partner, SIA “Lux Express Latvia”, Ltd; alongside its maritime mobility and international communication partner SIA “Stena Line”, Ltd; The Foundation’s media partners are: VSIA “Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs”, Ltd; SIA “Tvnet grupa”, Ltd; and AS “Kurzemes Radio”, Jsc.
