The Liepāja 2027 Foundation has concluded its cultural tourism co-financing competition “Land of (un)rest, Tell Us Stories!”, announced in October 2025 and aimed at developing innovative and sustainable cultural tourism offers. Following the evaluation, nine projects have been awarded a total of EUR 87,012 in co-financing.
“It’s been truly inspiring to see how these projects focus on the stories of our Land of (un)rest using such fresh artistic and digital ideas. For us, this isn’t just about the arts – it’s about proving how culture can really boost our local economy and build a tourism legacy that carries on long after 2027. I’m particularly delighted to see such a brilliant geographical spread across Liepāja, South Kurzeme, and Kuldīga. The Land of (un)rest is shaped by so many unique places and personalities, and it’s that exact diversity we’re so keen to share with visitors from both home and abroad”, admitted Inta Šoriņa, Chair of the Board of Liepāja 2027.
A total of 23 project applications were submitted to the competition, proposing activities in Aizpute, Bārta, Kuldīga, Liepāja, Medze Parish, Nīca, Rucava, Turlava, Vaiņode and Vārme. Nine projects have received funding, with three to be implemented in Liepāja, three in South Kurzeme and three in Kuldīga. All supported projects are scheduled for implementation in 2027, and each cultural tourism product must continue to operate for at least 12 months after the completion of the project.
Projects supported
- SIA Liepāja Music is set to bring to life “(un)rest that disappears,” a light and sound installation hosted in the Pegasus Courtyard. By blending newly recorded legends with contemporary art, the project offers a fresh perspective on Liepāja’s cultural heritage and its famously paradoxical nature. It’s an invitation to peel back the historical layers and contrasts of the Siena (Hay) Market Square. The projects will receive a grant of EUR 9,984.
- “Becoming Liepājnieks?” has received EUR 10,000 in support. Implemented by the Equilibrum Group Foundation, the project will create a multimedia guide and permanent walking route exploring Liepāja’s subcultures. Drawing on material from previously staged walking performances, the route will include interviews, urban legends, stories about the history of specific locations and music created from sound material collected during the original performances.
- The cultural development association “Tapala lapa” has also received EUR 10,000 for the project “Spirits of (un)rest: Two Suns”. A cycle of four solstice performances in the courtyard of the Liepāja Museum, the project will bring together Latvian ķekatas (mumming) traditions and Japanese onidaiko practices in a contemporary artistic format. The performances will be complemented by augmented reality filters “Rest-Unrest” Masks, allowing users to try on virtual ķekatas and oni masks and explore their symbolism even after 2027.
- The project “Pāvilosta Summer Culture Festival 2027” will take place over three summer months, combining concerts, performances and themed walks led by artists and cultural professionals. These activities will offer a contemporary perspective on the stories of the Pāvilosta coastline, while the guides’ narratives will be digitally recorded and made available to audiences beyond 2027. The project is implemented by the VV Foundation and has been awarded EUR 9,000.
- The interdisciplinary art group SERDE will contribute to the (un)rest programme with the project “Discover Cultural Heritage”, which has received EUR 8,600 in funding. The project will offer regular masterclasses based on materials collected during SERDE expeditions. Held in both Latvian and English, the workshops aim to raise awareness of cultural heritage and encourage visitors to spend more time in the region.
- The Aizpute Renaissance Society has been awarded EUR 10,000 for the project “Aizpute Old Town: A Meeting Place”. The initiative will create a series of complementary, free events in 2026 and 2027, including Old Town celebrations, tea afternoons and open courtyards, making the stories of Aizpute’s historic centre accessible to both residents and visitors.
- In Kuldīga, the project “(un)rest in Kuldīga: The Living Old Town” will offer an interactive way to experience the town’s UNESCO-listed heritage. Implemented by SIA Idea Events, the project includes a thematic excursion, an urban game and an adventure day, inviting participants to explore Kuldīga’s historic environment through contemporary formats. The allocated funding for the project is EUR 9,438.56.
- Another Kuldīga-based initiative, “Taste of Cultural Crafts”, will focus on the creative quarter on Kaļķu Street. Implemented by SIA Finst and supported with EUR 10,000, the project will involve research into traditional crafts, the preparation of texts, and the creation of photographic and audiovisual stories. Visitors will also be able to sign up for more in-depth tours and tastings at specific craft businesses.
- The Liepāja 2027 programme will also be enriched by the project “Stories of the Curonian Kings Land”, implemented by the association “Kuršu brīvciemi”. With EUR 9,990 in funding, the project will create a thematic route, information stands and a video story dedicated to the heritage of the Curonian Elders or Kings (kuršu ķoniņi), strengthening regional identity and increasing international visibility.
The submitted projects were assessed by a five-member evaluation commission comprising Inta Šoriņa, Chair of the Board of the Liepāja 2027 Foundation, and Raimonds Reinis, Project Manager; Sintija Pusaudze, Board Member of the Liepāja Region Tourism Information Office; Ieva Skābarde, Director of the South Kurzeme Region Tourism Centre; and Jana Bergmane, Head of the Kuldīga Region Tourism Development Centre.
As previously announced, the competition aims to improve access to cultural heritage and contemporary culture across the Land of (un)rest and to develop innovative, sustainable tourism offers that reveal the paradoxes of Liepāja, the heritage of Kuldīga and the stories of South Kurzeme. Each supported offer must be available to visitors at least three times during 2027, while routes and digital solutions developed within the projects must remain permanently accessible.
More information about the competition is available at
liepaja2027.lv/en/participation/liepaja-2027-launches-open-call-for-cultural-tourism-projects-land-of-unrest-tell-us-stories/
Released by
Foundation “Liepāja 2027”
Public Relations Specialist
Kristiāna Paula Lībiete
Phone: + 371 22 355 771
E-mail: kristiana.libiete@liepaja2027.lv
