During the “Liepāja Illuminated” Walk from 17 to 20 March, a graphic design competition “(un)rest” took place on the Customs House building, where visitors could choose the winner with their own vote.
The winner was Ritvars Embrekts’ “The Beauty and Misery of (un)rest”, which will also receive a money prize of 1000 euros and the right to implement his video projection in the future.
The winning animation used elements of both music and art (graffiti on the walls), and included such Liepāja details as tram rails (being in motion), stone lions in architecture (symbol of the Liepāja coat of arms), a lighthouse (light).
According to the artist, “The Beauty and Misery of (un)rest” is a story about each one of us. Initially, Ritvars Embrekts wanted to show how inner restlessness (or the ‘unrest’) can be valuable, because it propels us forward, promotes development, growth, but over time he realised how the misery of restlessness should also be shown, something not to be afraid of.
“The Beauty and Misery of (un)rest” is a story about each one of us, says Ritvars. Initially, he wanted to show how inner restlessness (or the ‘unrest’) can have value, because it propels us forward, promotes development and growth, but over time he realised how to show the misery of restlessness, too, which is not to be feared.”
However, to talk only about the beauty of unrest would be too utopian, because we know very well what misery and pain can be brought by unrest among us.
What is happening in the world today shows that we must not be afraid of unrest, we must be afraid of indifference. I must admit that the creative-technical process is very time-consuming, yet extremely exciting and interesting; it was a new and great experience. Let us not forget that light has always brought hope, and we all need it now. Thank you very much to the organisers for this event and the opportunity to participate in the contest. I have decided to donate part of the prize money to support Ukraine,” said Ritvars Embrekts, the winner of the graphic design competition.
Please be reminded that every day of the event from 19.00 to 23.00, Liepāja residents and guests could see 20 light objects created by light artists from all over Latvia.
For the first time, the most popular light object was also chosen, with the urban installation “Flowers of Light” on Alejas Street, from Rožu Street to Peldu Street, being announced as the favourite. Read more about the public voteIn addition, every evening at 21.00, the lighting artists of the “Illuminated Liepāja” Walk, in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, lit up some of the objects of the walk in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
Every Liepāja resident and city guest had the opportunity to convey an audio greeting to Liepāja on its birthday in the urban installation “Light Waves 2. Colours”.
By scanning the QR code on Jāņa Street or logging on to www.unt.lv/sveiciens, everyone could wish something for everyone and for their city, which celebrates its 397th birthday this year. In total, several hundred residents and guests of Liepaja sent audio greetings.
There was also a tailor-made route for the little visitors.The “Illuminated Liepāja” Walk was organised by the Liepāja City Municipality institution “Culture Department” in cooperation with the company “UNTITLED originals”.
Read more: www.liepaja.lv/
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.