The Liepāja Theatre’s international festival “Theatre in Close-Up,” taking place as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme, will welcome visitors this weekend. For four days – from Thursday, August 20, through Sunday, August 23 – theatre enthusiasts will have the opportunity to experience performances, discussions, director’s sketches, play readings, and much more!
Some of the festival’s events are sold out, but tickets are currently still available for the following performances at the Liepāja Theater’s Main Hall:
Tickets are available here
During the festival, on Friday, August 21, at 19:00, there will also be an event created as part of the Liepāja 2027 youth training and mentoring programme and organized by the Liepāja 2027. The courtyard of the Liepāja Theatre will host a competitive rap battle titled “Betona bīti.” The event will bring together young people aged 14 to 25, who will compete for the title of best rapper in an atmosphere where street culture meets professional theatre arts. Admission to the event is free.
In addition, graffiti workshops will be held in honour of the “Theatre in Close-Up” festival, where anyone interested is invited to come and decorate – by painting, spray-painting, or drawing on – a fabric item they bring with them, such as a t-shirt, dress, or cloth bag. The graffiti workshops will take place on Friday, August 21, from 18:00 to 21:00 and on Saturday, August 22, from 13:00 – 16:00 at the courtyard of the Liepaja Theatre.
The International festival “Theatre in Close-Up” is organised by Liepaja Theatre and with financial support from the foundation “Nodibinājums Liepāja 2027.” The programme of “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” 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”, legal partner: Sorainen Law Office, Ltd., Jsc; and its land mobility partner, SIA “Lux Express Latvia”, Ltd. Media partners: VSIA “Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs”, Ltd. and AS “Kurzemes Radio”, Jsc. Media partners: VSIA “Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs”, Ltd. and AS “Kurzemes Radio”, Jsc.
Elīna Neiberga
Liepāja Theater
E-mail: tt@liepajasteatris.lv
9 September 2026 – Liepāja, Latvia, has been named in Intrepid Travel’s annual Not Hot List, recognising ten of the world’s most exciting, under-the-radar destinations to watch in 2027.
In August 2027, as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme, the international “Zenta Mauriņa Summer School” will take place in Southern Kurzeme, conceived as a space for dialogue and collaborative artistic activity.
The Liepāja 2027 Foundation is inviting everyone regardless of age or place of residence to take part in the creation of “Fabrics of Reality”, a new work by the internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota (塩田千春), by writing a personal letter that will become part of the finished installation. Letters will be accepted until 30 November 2026.