At the beginning of August, the Liepāja 2027 team visited České Budějovice – Budweis – which will be the European Capital of Culture in 2028. It was an inspiring exchange of experiences, where new ideas were born, opportunities for international collaborations and residencies were shaped, and fascinating historical connections were uncovered.
Our cities are linked by scenographer and architect Joan Brehms – born in Liepāja in 1907 and passing away in 1995 in České Budějovice. During his lifetime in South Bohemia, this visionary engineer co-designed the world-unique revolving auditorium still found in the grounds of Český Krumlov Castle. Walking through the castle gardens and watching Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty on this stage was a powerful reminder of how culture can become a bridge between nations.
Together with the Budweis 2028 team, we discussed marketing strategies, international cooperation projects, accessibility and audience engagement initiatives, as well as points of connection between our youth programmes.
We met with experienced Czech partners – the South Bohemian Theatre, the South Bohemian Research Library, and the South Bohemian Chamber Philharmonic.
On a day trip to Tábor, we visited the team of the Tabook festival during the installation of an exhibition by French artist Blexbolex – a vivid testament to the strength of the region’s literary and visual arts scene.
This visit strengthened our shared vision for cooperation between Liepāja 2027 and Budweis 2028 – together we will build a cultural bridge from the Baltic Sea to South Bohemia, empower local cultural organisations, and draw inspiration from each other’s experience and creative solutions. Until we meet again!
To enrich the programme of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 with innovative, cross-sectoral, contemporary and outstanding cultural events, hence boosting the international cooperation, the Liepāja 2027 Foundation is launching an open international competition for the co-financing of cultural and artistic initiatives. The deadline for submissions is 11:00 a.m. (EEST/Latvian time) on 10 September 2025.
On 9 August, a new chapter was added to Grobiņa’s landscape, as the environmental art trail “Face to Face with Natural”, created by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation, opened to the public along the banks of the Ālande River. Winding across 1.5 kilometres, this trail brings together three newly commissioned contemporary artworks by Ieva Viese, Krista Dintere, and Rihards Vītols, offering a sensory and reflective journey through time, sound, and speculative futures.
The foundation “Liepāja 2027” invites cultural professionals, event organisers, institution managers, producers, and everyone interested to participate in the international conference “Cultural Renovation”, which will take place on 22 October 2025, at Liepāja Concert Hall “Lielais dzintars”.
