The international theatre festival “Theatre in Close-Up” which took place from August 20 to 23 as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027,” has come to a close, leaving vivid emotions, the joy of gathering people together, and a rich cultural experience. For four days, Liepāja became a place where theatre was experienced truly up close – through the stories, movement, music, words, and emotions of artists from various countries.
The festival programme brought together artists from Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, and Sweden, allowing audiences to experience the diversity of theatre in the Baltic Sea region in all its splendour. Each production offered its own perspective on the world and humanity – sometimes heart-warming, sometimes ironic, at other times playful or thought-provoking. It was precisely this diversity that became one of the festival’s greatest strengths, demonstrating that theatre can speak many languages, yet emotions are understood by everyone.
The festival opened with a performance of “The Return” by the Klaipėda Drama Theatre from Lithuania, marking the start of four intense and artistically rich days. Next, the audience enjoyed the Rakvere Theatre’s performance of “Kindergarten,” the Finnish Jurkka Theatre’s performance of “The Inhabitants of the Rabbit Hole”, the performance “Beach Patrol” by the Swedish contemporary art theatre company “Sweets,” as well as the Von Krahli Theatre’s performance “Every Day Is Like Sunday”.
A special highlight of the festival’s programme was the performance “Unseen World” by the Lithuanian Šokio Dance Theatre, which offered even the youngest audience members and children with visual or other functional impairments the opportunity to participate in the theatrical experience. This reaffirmed that cultural experiences must be accessible and open to diverse audiences, allowing everyone to find their own path into the world of art.
However, “Theater in Close-Up” was not just a festival of performances. It was a place for conversations, get-togethers, and an opportunity to glimpse the world of theatre beyond the stage. Audiences met with the actors honoured by the Liepāja Theatre’s 119th-season audience vote and the theatre’s artistic director, Valters Sīlis, while at the cultural centre “Wiktorija”, theatre enthusiasts had the chance to explore director’s sketches and experience play readings. These were moments when theatre transformed from a finished product into a process – ideas, questions, explorations, and conversations.
The festival’s unique energy was also apparent in the courtyard of the Liepāja Theatre, where the professional theatre world met youth culture and creative freedom. At the “Betona bīti” event, young rappers took stage, competing for the title of best rapper and filling the courtyard with rhythm, rhymes, and bold self-expression. Here, street culture organically merged with theatre, proving that art has no single form or stage.
Festival visitors also had the opportunity to become part of the creative process themselves by participating in graffiti workshops and giving a new, personal look to the fabric items they brought with them. Colors, ideas, and the courage to experiment extended the festival’s atmosphere beyond the auditorium, allowing people not only to view art but also to create it.
Over the four days, the festival offered much more than just the chance to attend theater performances. It created a space where different generations, cultures, and art forms could come together. It was an opportunity to pause from the rush of everyday life, to take a closer look—at the stage, at others, and perhaps even at oneself.
The festival concluded with a performance by the Liepāja Theatre “Regular Monday”. After four eventful days, this title took on an almost symbolic meaning – Monday arrives again after the festival, yet the experiences we’ve had continue to live on in our memories, conversations, and feelings. The audience heads home, the stage lights dim, but the great performances, unexpected encounters, and shared moments will remain in the foreground for a long time to come.
“Theatre in Close-Up” demonstrated that theatre is a living art form of connection – it has the power to surprise, move, provoke, and unite. The festival served as a vivid testament to the diversity of Liepāja’s cultural life and marked another significant step toward “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027”.
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.
Information prepared by:
Foundation Liepāja 2027
Public relations specialist
Anita Smilkts
E-mail: anita.smilkts@liepaja2027.lv
