On August 22 of this year, as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme, Aizpute Renaissance Society organized a creative workshop “The Path of (un)rest Light: The Story of Aizpute” in Aizpute. During the event, participants had their first opportunity to extensively test a prototype of a cardboard light installation developed specifically for the project.
In a vote, residents chose the silhouette of Aizpute Castle from the city’s coat of arms as the basis for the project’s light installation. This recognizable symbol of the city has been transformed into a three-dimensional cardboard light installation that every resident of Aizpute will be able to assemble themselves and display in the window of their home.
“The idea for a common lighting story for Aizpute arose while thinking about how to create something simple, recognizable, and engaging for residents themselves in the urban environment during the darkest time of the year. At the start of the project, Aizpute residents discussed possible lighting designs during a collaborative brainstorming workshop, and then voted to select the image of Aizpute Castle from the city’s coat of arms. Based on the chosen motif, a three-dimensional cardboard lamp was designed that can be assembled without complicated tools and then customized,” explains Zane Puisīte, a representative of the Aizpute Renaissance Society.
Residents of Aizpute from different generations – children and young people, adults, and seniors – took part in the workshop. The participants’ interest and enthusiasm demonstrated their desire to get involved in creating a shared story of the city. The master class was not only an opportunity to learn about the project’s concept but also a practical test of the prototype. During the workshop, it was important to ensure that the light installation was easy and intuitive for people of all ages to assemble, as well as to explore different ways in which each participant could creatively enhance it and make it more personal.
The vision behind the project “The Path of (un)rest Light: The Story of Aizpute” does not end with a single master class. Its goal is to ensure that, during the dark months of the year, an ever-growing number of light installations forming a unified silhouette light up the windows of Aizpute. The lights shining from individual windows will combine to create a unified cityscape and a shared story created by the residents of Aizpute themselves. Given the high level of interest in the workshop, the Aizpute Renaissance Society plans to produce additional light installations so that even more residents can take advantage of the opportunity to assemble and display them in their own windows.
The event is organized by the association “Aizpute Renaissance Society” 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.
Zane Puisīte
Aizpute Renaissance Society
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