The Foundation “Liepāja 2027” warmly invites everyone to join the Europe Day Garden Festival “A European Dream in Our Backyard” on Friday, 9 May, designed to give residents of Liepāja, Kuldīga, and South Kurzeme regions the chance to explore European values, discuss cultural and social development, and get actively involved in greening their towns.
Europe Day festivities will unfold across the Land of (un)rest with lively programmes throughout the day. In Liepāja, activities will take place in the city centre and in the Lauma residential neighbourhood, near Liepāja Dzintars High School. In Kuldīga, the celebrations will gather people by the Kuldīga Central Library, while in the South Kurzeme region, the action will happen at Priekule High School.
The Europe Day Garden Festival “A European Dream in Our Backyard” offers more than a taste of art and culture — it’s a chance bond with your neighbours, exchange ideas about Europe’s values, and discover shared goals. The event is open to all, free of charge, and promises an easy-going atmosphere where everyone is welcome.
In Liepāja, the day will begin bright and early at 11:00 with the “Liepāja Blossoms!” initiative, bringing planting activities to several parts of the city under the guidance of professional gardeners. At 15:00, a special moment awaits as 50 decorative apple trees will take root along the Liepāja Port promenade. If you’d like to lend a hand in planting these trees, be sure to sign up by 22 April.
At 16:00, history lovers can join the free excursion “Meet Velnciems” led by the tour guide Marina Vikaine. No need to register in advance — just meet at the entrance of Dzintars High School and get ready to hear local stories.
The programme builds up to its finale at the Dzintars High School sports grounds (Celmu iela 6, Liepāja), where, from 17:00, several creative workshops for all ages will take place, prepared by the neighbourhood’s most spirited residents. There, you’ll also discover an exhibition of the community’s crafted sails, symbolising our shared journey.
From 18:00, three-series discussions will begin. Kicking things off, journalist Eva Johansone and her guests will explore the meaning of the European Capital of Culture, and what it can bring to those living beyond the city centre in the first discussion “My European Capital of Culture”.
At 19:00, philosopher Igors Gubenko will lead a conversation with Liepāja 2027 and local association representatives “Our European Dream”, unpacking how European values come to life in our daily routines and how we all can play a part in the European dream.
The final discussion, “Me – a European Person”, will begin at 20:00, where a narrator’s role will be taken by musician Ralfs Eilands, alongside young voices from Latvia’s Youth Capital, ERASMUS students, and seniors, who will share thoughts on everyday life in Western Europe.
Between the discussions, the smooth sounds of the jazz trio project “Triotone” will fill the air. Visitors are encouraged to come on foot, by bike, or by public transport, as parking near the venue is limited. The evening will wrap up at 21:00, but the memories will surely linger longer.
“Building on last year’s Europe Day campaign, we want to strengthen the sense of belonging to both our local community and to Europe as a whole,” shares Inta Šoriņa, Chair of the Board of Liepāja 2027. “The sails symbolise the united journey of the Land of (un)rest — Liepāja, South Kurzeme, and Kuldīga — as we head towards our European Capital of Culture year. This campaign is a chance for everyone, regardless of age or background, to join a larger, shared project, express their identity through art, and feel part of something truly special. These sails reflect our diversity, creativity, and unity — they’re like the flags of our Land of (un)rest, flying high on the way to 2027.”
Everyone is welcome to paint and decorate the sails, which will proudly feature at the festival. White sails can be picked up starting from 10 April at Liepāja’s libraries during opening hours: “Valtera” Library (Krūmu iela 29), “Libris” Library (M. Ķempes iela 11), “Varavīksne” Library (Brīvības iela 39), “Vecliepājas rūķis” Children’s Library (Malkas iela 4), “Zaļās birzs” Library (Talsu iela 39), “Dienvidrietumu” Library (Ganību iela 197/205), and Liepāja Central Scientific Library (Zivju iela 7). Kuldīga residents can collect their white sails at the Kuldīga Central Library (1905. gada iela 6), while South Kurzeme locals can visit the South Kurzeme Municipality Library (Lielā iela 76, Grobiņa) and other regional libraries. From 24 April, white sails will also be available at several additional regional libraries — details will be posted on the municipal and library websites.
Europe Day will also be in full swing in Kuldīga. On 9 May, from 16:00 to 18:00, a cheerful spring gathering will take place at the Kuldīga Central Library (1905. gada iela 6), featuring a picnic, lively conversations, music, and creative fun. During the festivities, the Liepāja 2027 European Capital of Culture bench will be unveiled, and the rally of sails for Kuldīga will take centre stage. If you wish your painted sail to be part of this colourful display, please bring it to the Kuldīga Central Library by 8 May. After the event, you’ll be able to take your sail back home.
Meanwhile, in the South Kurzeme Region, Priekule will host this year’s Europe Day celebrations. From 9:30 to 11:30 on 9 May, senior class students from the European Parliament Ambassadors’ School (EPVS) will join forces with first graders from surrounding schools to explore European values and diversity. The lively programme will feature an interactive quiz “Introduce a Little European to Big Europe”, the “Handshake for Europe” campaign, and a range of playful activities. Throughout the region, everyone is invited to take part in the “Plant a Joy for Europe” greenery campaign, and the beautifully painted Liepāja 2027 sails created by EPVS students, first-graders, and local residents will be displayed in the event’s greenery.
The full programme for the Europe Day Garden Festival “A European Dream in Our Backyard” can be found here
This year’s Europe Day activities are made possible through a partnership between Liepāja 2027, the Liepāja Municipality’s City Utility Services “Komunālā pārvalde”, the Educational Department “Liepājas Izglītības pārvalde”, Liepāja Petermarket, LUX Express, and Latvia’s State Forests (LVM) within the framework of Forest Days. The campaign is organised by the foundation Liepāja 2027, with funding from Liepāja City Municipality and the Ministry of Culture.
Released by:
Foundation “Liepāja 2027 Foundation”
Head of Public Relations and Marketing Department
Zita Lazdāne
Phone: + 37122017277
E-mail: zita.lazdane@liepaja2027.lv
