On Tuesday, 28 July, the first meeting took place in Karosta with the international artists participating in the CreArt 3.0 project, Patrīcija Giļīte and Cédric Cano, who have begun their creative residency in Liepāja. The meeting marked an important first step in the residency, offering the artists an opportunity to become acquainted with the Karosta community, its history, environment and the people whose experiences shape the neighbourhood’s rich and diverse identity.
Through conversations with local residents, the artists gained insights into Karosta’s development, everyday life and the changes the area has undergone over the years. The meeting brought together both long-term residents and those who have settled in Karosta more recently, enabling the artists to explore different perspectives on the neighbourhood and its significance.
The artists will remain in residence in Karosta until 19 August. During this time, they will create new contemporary artworks inspired by Karosta’s environment, its local community, Lāčplēsis Garden and the processes of ecological restoration.
Members of the public are invited to follow the residency and meet the artists in person on 1 and 8 August, from 12.00 to 16.00, when they will have the opportunity to observe the creative process and learn more about the works currently in development. The completed artworks will be presented to the public during the Lāčplēsis Garden Festival on 15 August.
The CreArt artist residency in Karosta is supported by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union through CreArt 3.0 #STRINGING_TOGETHER. The Liepāja 2027 Foundation is a project partner.
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 “Žurnāls Santa” Ltd; SIA “Tvnet grupa”, Ltd; and AS “Kurzemes Radio”, Jsc.
9 September 2026 – Liepāja, Latvia, has been named in Intrepid Travel’s annual Not Hot List, recognising ten of the world’s most exciting, under-the-radar destinations to watch in 2027.
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.
