Highlighting and promoting the values of our traditional culture and heritage, on 23 June 2025, from 19:30 until the early hours, the Seaside Park and beach of Liepāja will come alive with the rhythms, rituals and revelry of Nordic Solstice – a new international celebration of summer’s turning point. This gathering of peoples and cultures is one of the flagship undertakings of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027, developed in collaboration with the Liepāja Folk Art and Culture Centre and a host of foreign partners.
The first of “Nordic Solstice” events will be held this year in Liepāja, before branching out over the coming two years to embrace rural communities in South Kurzeme and Kuldīga regions.
Its spirit is expansive yet deeply rooted. Weaving together Latvian and Nordic solstice traditions, the festival aims to honour the vitality of local heritage while nurturing new ties across the Baltic Sea.
“This summer’s “Nordic Solstice” is special because it marks the beginning of a beautiful friendship with our neighbours to the north,” says Baiba Bartkeviča, Artistic Director of Liepāja 2027. “This celebration allows us to see local tradition in a wider global context, and to draw our communities closer together in shared joy. This is our first step on a path we hope to walk not only for the next two years, but well into the future.”
Guests from Lithuania, Belgium, Ireland and Norway will join in the solstice festivities and together with our European neighbours, we will chart a course towards new traditions that celebrate diversity, kinship, and the shared light of the northern summer.
Since ancient times solar worship symbolized life and divine light across cultures, with celebration of each of its seasonal cycles. Belgian musician Romina Lischka will lead the sun ritual, blending the mysticism of the viola da gamba with her voice and those of fellow artists: Roisin Elsafty (vocals, Ireland), Laima Jansone (kokle, Latvia), and the choreographic duo “IevaKrish” (Lithuania-Latvia), creating the interdisciplinary performance at the moment when sun kisses the horizon.
As the final light of day gives way to twilight, the performance will culminate in a ceremonial bonfire, led by traditional culture researcher Ingus Freibergs and the folklore ensemble “Ēdol’s Ķist,” under the direction of Zane Jančevska. The ritual will pay homage to the sun’s journey and the eternal interplay of the four elements – earth, air, water and fire – drawing on ancestral knowledge and the spiritual force of nature at the height of its strength. Together, the fire will be kindled, with songs of power and collective dedications sung into the night.
“Nordic Solstice” is a celebration for families, music lovers, travellers and those simply drawn to the call of the solstice. Participation is free of charge, and all are warmly invited to join in this open-air homage to light, tradition and cultural unity.
The event is presented as part of the Liepāja 2027 programme, in collaboration with the Liepāja Folk Art and Culture Centre. It is funded by the Ministry of Culture and the Liepāja City Municipality, with support from “Lux Express”, the largest bus company in the Baltic region.
Foundation “Liepāja 2027 Foundation”
Head of Public Relations and Marketing Department
Zita Lazdāne
Phone: + 37122017277
E-mail: zita.lazdane@liepaja2027.lv
On Wednesday, 25 March, the second meeting of the (un)rest programme partners took place in Liepāja.
On Tuesday, 24 March, the “Lielais Dzintars” Concert Hall hosted the Tourism Entrepreneurs’ Conference, bringing together professionals from the tourism sector across Kurzeme.
Creative chef experiments, spring-inspired flavors, and special menus created exclusively for this occasion – Liepāja Spring Restaurant Week will take place from April 10 to April 19.