From December 2 to 6, a group of librarians from Liepāja, Kuldīga, South Kurzeme, and Kuldīga municipalities traveled to northern Norway for a knowledge exchange visit to Bodø, the European Capital of Culture 2024.
During the visit, participants explored two outstanding libraries in Bodø.
The first stop was the “Stormen Library,” a modern and beloved community hub that has become a benchmark for contemporary libraries. According to representatives from Bodø, the journey to establishing a new and modern library was challenging, but the result is an invaluable asset highly appreciated by the public for its facilities, environment, and infrastructure.
Next, the group visited the “Nord University Library,” an essential resource for students and academic staff, offering extensive scientific resources and vital support for education.In addition to library visits, the group explored Bodø’s museums, which featured exhibitions on Sámi culture, aviation, and maritime history—fields that have significantly contributed to the city’s development over the centuries.
During the visit, the team from Liepāja Central Scientific Library presented their work on preserving collections of ancient books, a crucial contribution to safeguarding Latvia’s cultural heritage. Meanwhile, Kuldīga Library shared their experience in regional research and introduced their future plans in this field.
Participants acknowledged that the experience provided not only new ideas but also inspiration to dream of modern libraries in their own cities.
“We thank Bodø2024 for their warm hospitality and valuable stories, which motivate us to continue improving library environments in Liepāja and other parts of Latvia,” emphasized the participants.
The knowledge exchange visit was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and supported by financial contributions from the European Economic Area Bilateral Cooperation Fund.
On Lāčplēsis Day, we will come together in the light to honour those who fought for our freedom and reaffirm our sense of belonging to our country.
On Friday, 6 November, Liepāja 2027 – European Capital of Culture held its final monitoring meeting with the international panel of experts appointed by the European Commission.
On November 4, the Great Amber Concert Hall in Liepāja hosted the Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 (Liepāja 2027) international conference Cultural Renovation, this year with the theme ‘All My Relations’, focused on art’s ability to build relationships, strengthen a sense of belonging, and promote public participation.