On July 9, a unique event “A Cultural Adventure Touching on Rock” will take place at the cultural venue “Pegaza Pagalms” in Liepāja inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the world of Latvian rock music and explore its influence on social change.
At 7:00 PM, we invite you to a thought-provoking discussion with Latvian musicians Ieva Akuratere and Uldis Marhilevičs, moderated by Jānis Šipkēvics Sr. – co-founder and director of Radio SWH and Radio SWH TV, author of the books “LV TOP 100” and “Ar dziesmu par dzīvi” (“With Song Through Life”), and journalist of the legendary Latvian TV program “Labvakar” (“Good evening”).
Latvian composer, pianist, and arranger Uldis Marhilevičs began his musical career with the Philharmonic group “Opus”. In 1985, he became a member of the Latvian Radio ensemble “Remix”, and since 1987, he has been part of the ensemble “Liepājas brāļi”. The song “Tikai tā!”, composed by Marhilevičs with lyrics by Guntars Račs and first performed by “Liepājas brāļi” at the art festival “Bildes”, became the festival’s official anthem and ranked 11th in the 1988 “Mikrofons” poll. Marhilevičs also took part in performances of the rock opera “Lāčplēsis” and has collaborated with a number of prominent Latvian singers, including Mirdza Zīvere, Olga Rajecka, Igo, Ainars Mielavs, Alex, the group Cosmos, and others.
Ieva Akuratere is one of the most popular Latvian singers and songwriters. She has been the lead vocalist for several bands, including “Pērkons”, “K. Remonts”, “Simulācija”, and others. Her musical style blends academic vocal training with expressive rock performance, and she has also performed in a folk style, singing with a natural voice and acoustic guitar accompaniment. With “Pērkons”, Ieva Akuratere performed on the “Liepājas Dzintars” stage in 1987. She frequently participated in events of national importance and gave solo concerts with a patriotic repertoire. In 1989, she also performed for Latvian diaspora communities in the United States, and in later years, she has regularly performed in England, Germany, and France.
During the conversation, the musicians will share what inspired them, how they discovered new musical trends in an era of censorship and limited access to information, and how they obtained the desired recordings and items that opened doors to Western culture. The discussion will provide deeper insight into the role of rock music in shaping Latvian national identity – and raise the question: did Latvian rock musicians have a place on the international stage?
At 10:00 PM, the stage at “Pegaza Pagalms” will be taken by the band “Cits kvartāls”, featuring Toms Bokums (vocals, guitar), Kristaps Šēnbergs (keyboard, vocals), Ēriks Hanzovskis (drums), and Kristaps Liepa (bass, vocals). Their energetic performance, blending iconic Latvian rock hits, will be not only a musical delight but also a symbolic bridge between generations, proving that rock music continues to unite and inspire.
Starting on July 9, the exhibition “Border Breakers” will open. It will be available for viewing until July 23. The mini-exhibition, created by Madara Matisone and Viktorija Gaiķe, based on the contrasts of two worlds, will offer an opportunity to step into the environment where the independent sound of Latvian rock was born and to interpret the influences of Western culture. In Latvia, rock was not a commercial genre – it was a cry of the soul, a challenge to the system, and an inspiration for thousands of young people yearning for change. The exhibition “Border Breakers” will give visitors the opportunity to experience the rock environment in various ways – by examining objects, reading facts, stopping and listening to the sounds that were heard on both sides of the “Iron Curtain”.
The exhibition will be open for viewing until July 23, every day from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Everyone is welcome to become part of the “A Cultural Adventure Touching on Rock”, where music, history, and personal experience merge into one unforgettable event. All events are free of charge.
The activities of the project “A Cultural Adventure Touching on Rock” are implemented with the financial support of the Foundation “Liepāja 2027 Foundation” and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia.
The event will be filmed and photographed. The recorded materials may be used for event publicity purposes.
According to the current regulations, a child under the age of 16 is not allowed to be in a public place during the night from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM without the presence of a parent, guardian, foster family, head of a child care institution, or an authorized adult.
“Pegaza Pagalms” – a space for poetry, art, literature, music, and creativity. We offer a wide range of events throughout the year for the people of Liepāja and city guests, supporting creativity and diversity.
More information and updates can be found on the “Pegaza Pagalms” website www.pegazapagalms.lv and social media platforms Facebook and Instagram.
