From 7 September to 12 October 2026, the people of Liepāja are invited to take part in a public vote choosing four values that represent their city. These values – a personality, a place, an event and a symbol – will shape the artistic storyline of “Human Forest”, the opening event of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027. The results of the vote will directly determine the content of the event, giving every resident the chance to become a co-creator of the Liepāja 2027 opening celebrations.
The four values selected by the public will form the heart of “Human Forest”. Each of these values will be represented by a dedicated tramcar, and in January 2027 these tramcars will become the symbolic storytellers of this Liepāja’s story.
Votes can be cast online via the Liepāja E-services portal:
epakalpojumi.liepaja.lv, or by completing a voting form printed in the Tuesday and Thursday editions of the newspaper “Kurzemes Vārds”. Completed newspaper forms can be dropped off at several locations across the city:
- the Liepāja 2027 Foundation office at 4/8 Dārza Street, open on working days from 8.30 to 17.00. The Liepāja 2027 post box is available 24/7;
- the Announcements and Advertising Department of “Kurzemes Vārds” at 3 Pasta Street (entrance from Radio Street), open on working days from 9.00 to 17.00;
- the Liepāja City Council Customer Service Centre at 5 Peldu Street, open Mondays from 8.30 to 18.00, Tuesdays to Thursdays from 8.30 to 17.00, and Fridays from 8.30 to 16.00.
On 23 January 2027 – the official opening day of the European Capital of Culture – the four values chosen by the people of Liepāja will come to life in the city centre through the public engagement event “Human Forest”. The event’s main stage will be the city’s tram tracks, the everyday lifeline of Liepāja, transformed for one evening into a symbolic meeting place for residents and city guests. Four trams will briefly pause their regular service to become storytelling platforms, each bringing one of the chosen values to life. The event will culminate in a collective performance of Liepāja’s anthem, “Pilsēta, kurā piedzimst vējš” (The City Where the Wind is Born) marking the symbolic beginning of the European Capital of Culture year.
“This “Human Forest” is built on the belief that the story of a European Capital of Culture is written by its people,” says Maija Kalniņa, director, poet and songwriter behind the Liepāja 2027 public engagement campaign “Human Forest”. “That’s why we start brainstorming this event months before the opening itself – with the people of Liepāja making their own choices, naming the figures, places, events and symbols that define their city. Together, these choices form a story about a place that is so much more than a dot on the map. Liepāja becomes a breath of life, a strong voice, a shared heartbeat. “Human Forest” is an invitation to show up, stand side by side, and take a moment to breathe before we step into this new chapter together. In that moment of quiet connection, each of us is like a single tree – carrying our own roots, our own history, our own strength. On our own, we’re just individual trees. But together, we form a forest that is grounded in our shared stories, growing through connection, standing firm no matter which way the wind blows. A city only thrives when its people are truly present – and Liepāja has always drawn its strength from the people who call it home”.
The results of the vote will be announced in October 2026, thus creating the foundation for the artistic story of “Human Forest”. It is the people of Liepāja themselves who will decide which values of their city take centre stage on the opening day of the European Capital of Culture.z
The public engagement event “Human Forest” 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.
Released by:
Foundation Liepāja 2027
Public Relations Specialist
Anita Smilkts
Phone: +371 25 408 337
E-mail: anita.smilkts@liepaja2027.lv
