In the framework of European Capital of Culture 2027, the City of Liepaja is participating in the project “The European Music Policy Exchange” to explore the impact of music on the socio-economic processes of the city.
The project will involve several months of research on the music field, together with representatives from other European and international countries, evaluating various criteria and developing a handbook.
“Music has always been one of the cornerstones of Liepaja’s cultural identity and is an integral expression of life of Liepaja residents. That is why it is very important to look at the music field not only in the terms of events and concerts, but also to study its impact in the context of the city’s socio-economic processes. We are grateful that the European Capital of Culture 2027 title gives the city the opportunity to more thoroughly study the music sector and its impact on Liepaja’s socio-economic processes in general,” said Inta Šoriņa, project manager of European Capital of Culture 2027.
In total, several European cities are taking part in the project – Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, London, Manchester, Tallinn, Gothenburg, Liepaja, Brussels, Bergen, Reykjavik, Sydney and others.
The project will conclude next spring and will result in the creation of the first European “Music Cities Policy Handbook”. The handbook will summarise the best practices, European city experience and recommendations on how to better integrate the music sector into the city processes.
The project is organised by the Hamburg-based transnational non-profit organisation “Music Cities Network” (MCN) that unites music cities and policy makers around the globe, in cooperation with the global research organisation “Center for Music Ecosystems”.
Participation in the project is free.
The MCN is a member-based network that actively designs hands-on solutions to bridge the gaps between all music city stakeholders: artists, music entrepreneurs, city marketing strategists and music policy makers.
Founding members are Aarhus, Bergen, Berlin, Hamburg, Gothenburg, Groningen, Manchester, Nantes, Reykjavik & Sydney.
More about the project: www.musiccitiesnetwork.com
The Supervisory Board’s purpose is to oversee the project’s content, financial utilization, and achieved results, as well as to facilitate cooperation between municipalities, state institutions, and other stakeholders.
Launching the month of Liepāja’s 400th anniversary celebration, the Liepāja Holy Trinity Cathedral on Saturday, 1 March 2025, at 17:00 will host a sacred music concert, “Caur gaismu nāk un sudrabs top” (Through Light Cometh Silver Shine). This event brings under single musical umbrella newly composed works by Liepāja-spirited composers Ēriks Ešenvalds, Jānis Lūsēns, and Andris Kontauts, paired with samples from the cathedral’s historical sheet music collection, creating a harmonious bridge between past and present.
This competition was launched to inspire the creation of an innovative and artistically refined environmental object that integrates seamlessly into Liepaja’s urban landscape.