Marking Europe Day, on May 9, 2026, a research presentation will be held at the Kuldīga Art House. The event will also serve as a shared experience and an open conversation about how we, local Europeans, imagine our lives, our society, and our future. The research was developed by Democracy Foundation as part of the programme “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027.”
The aim of the research is to explore how local residents envision the so-called European dream – an ideal of how we would like to live, what matters most to us, what values we hold, and what role democracy plays in this vision. The study combines interviews with representatives of different social groups and a public survey conducted by the research company Norstat.
At the beginning of the event, visitors will have the opportunity to take part in interpreting the research findings and, if they wish, contribute their own dream to a shared “dream archive.” This will be followed by discussions on how dreams can shape society and inspire change. The research results will be presented by Democracy Foundation board member Dr. phil. Ģirts Jankovskis. The event will conclude with an exhibition of illustrations created by children during the event, visually reflecting the dreams that have been shared.
This will be an open and informal gathering, welcoming all dreamers – people of different generations and backgrounds, including families with children.
The event will take place on May 9, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM at the Kuldīga Art House (1905.gada iela 6). Admission is free of charge.
The research will serve as a foundation for an international Democracy Residency to be held in 2027, bringing together six participants from different fields to explore ways of fostering meaningful and inclusive participation in democratic processes.
The event is organised as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” project “Democracy Residency ‘European Dream’,” with funding from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, the city of Liepāja, and the municipalities of Dienvidkurzeme and Kuldīga. The event is supported by the Society Integration Foundation with funding from the State budget of Latvia. “Liepāja 2027” programme is supported by its main partner in environmental education and sustainability, CleanR Grupa; the main partner in air mobility and international communication, airBaltic Corporation; and its land mobility partner, Lux Express Latvia. Informational partners include “Latvian Public Media” and “Kurzemes Radio.”
Maija Jankovska
Phone: +371 26 516 115
Email: info@demokratijasfonds.lv
www.demokratijasfonds.lv
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