The international theatre festival “Theatre in Close-Up,” held as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme, was opened by the Klaipėda Drama Theatre with the performance “The Return.” In the coming days, spectators are invited to “come closer” – to discover diverse stories, feel the emotions, and experience the diversity of theatre in the Baltic Sea region in all its splendour.
Tonight, August 21, theatregoers will be treated with performances by the Rakvere Theatre from Estonia, presenting “Kindergarten,” and the Jurkka Theatre from Finland, presenting “The Inhabitants of the Rabbit Hole”. The courtyard of the Liepāja Theatre will also be filled with the sound of rap rhymes tonight during the “Betona bīti” event, where young people will compete for the title of best rapper. The event was organized as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” youth training and mentoring programme.
On Saturday, August 22, as part of the festival, there will be discussions with the actors honoured by the audience vote for the 119th season and the theatre’s artistic director, Valters Sīlis. The festival will continue with a performance of “Beach Patrol” by the Swedish contemporary art theatre company “Sweets” and a performance of “Every Day Is Like Sunday” by the Estonian Von Krahli Theatre.
On Sunday, August 23, young audiences and children with visual or other functional disabilities are invited to attend the Lithuanian Šokio Dance Theatre’s performance of “Unseen World.” On Sunday afternoon, at the “Wiktorija” Cultural Centre, theatre enthusiasts will be delighted with directing sketches and new play readings. The festival “Theatre in Close-Up” will conclude on Sunday with the Liepāja Theatre’s performance “Regular Monday.”
Tickets for the theatre performances “Kindergarten” and “Every Day Is Like Sunday,” as well as for directing sketches and new play readings, are still available for purchase at “Biļešu paradīze.”
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.
9 September 2026 – Liepāja, Latvia, has been named in Intrepid Travel’s annual Not Hot List, recognising ten of the world’s most exciting, under-the-radar destinations to watch in 2027.
In August 2027, as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme, the international “Zenta Mauriņa Summer School” will take place in Southern Kurzeme, conceived as a space for dialogue and collaborative artistic activity.
The Liepāja 2027 Foundation is inviting everyone regardless of age or place of residence to take part in the creation of “Fabrics of Reality”, a new work by the internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota (塩田千春), by writing a personal letter that will become part of the finished installation. Letters will be accepted until 30 November 2026.
