On Saturday, 25 April, presentations for the second season of the Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 Youth Programme took place, with 24 young participants from Liepāja, South Kurzeme and Kuldīga introducing to their six creative event proposals. The jury awarded first place to the rap contest “The Concrete Beats”, second place to a contemporary Midsummer celebration in Aizpute, and third place to the event “Night Mission – Secrets of Kuldīga”.
The event concepts were developed in cooperation with cultural venues across Liepāja, South Kurzeme and Kuldīga, including Liepāja Theatre, Pegasus Courtyard, Roman Garden Gallery, Wise Cultural Venue, Brīvības Osta and Kuldīga Regional Museum. Particular emphasis was placed on attracting and expanding youth audiences.
The total funding allocated to support the young people’s ideas was 1,400 euros. During the programme, each group had the opportunity to earn additional budget bonus through attendance, communication with mentors and overall participation. Further prize funding was awarded to the winning teams: 300 euros for first place, 200 euros for second place and 100 euros for third place. From May to August 2026, the concepts will be transformed into live public events.
The first event will take place in Kuldīga on 23 May at 18.00. “Night Mission – Secrets of Kuldīga” will be an adventure walk designed as a night-time trail through the urban environment, with stations, tasks and challenges along the route. Organised in partnership with the Kuldīga Regional Museum, it will form part of the International Museum Night programme and conclude with an awards ceremony and DJ performance in the museum courtyard at Pils iela 5.
On 30 May at 19.00, the neon-themed event “Neon Summer = Liepāja” will take place at Pegasus Courtyard. Created to inspire young people to make the most use of the summer months, the programme will feature talks with mentors, entrepreneurs and career advisers, alongside a stand-up comedy performance.
On 12 June, from 13.00 to 20.00, young people are invited to the “Bubble Party” at Roman Garden Gallery. You can expect an artist masterclass, creative workshops, orientation activities, competitions and DJ sets throughout the day.
On 21 June, beginning at 15.00, Brīvības Osta will host a contemporary Midsummer celebration blending tradition with modern interpretation. The daytime programme will include workshops, games and opportunities to learn about Midsummer traditions. The evening atmosphere will become more festive and ceremonial, with wreath-making, torch crafting, a sunset ritual, a masquerade ball and a sunrise gathering around the bonfire.
On 6 July at 17.00, the Wise Cultural Venue will stage a Rap Battle, welcoming anyone interested to test their rapper skills on the main stage. Musical performances will complement the event, whose aim is to encourage confidence and creative self-expression among young people.
Another energetic rap contest “The Concrete Beats” will be held in Liepāja Theatre on 21 August at 19.00. This event is part of the International Theatre in Close-Up Festival. Young people aged 14 to 25 will be coming together to compete for the title of best rapper. They will be representing their schools or organisations in a fantastic setting where street culture meets professional theatre arts. Participants will be tasked with delivering prepared lyrics and demonstrating their improvisation skills. The most accomplished finalists will proceed to a final showdown with actors from Liepāja Theatre. Participation is free of charge. Registration is open until 21 July via the application form.
The young people’s ideas were evaluated by event producer and head of the creative agency “Skudras Metropole” Gundega Skudriņa, event producer and manager of SIA “Šarmants” Ritvars Embrekts, and Liepāja 2027 digital communications specialist Luīze Špaka. The evaluation criteria included the potential of the ideas, presentation skills, implementation possibilities, and other aspects associated with event management.
“Young people aren’t just welcome in the Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 programme – they’re absolutely vital to it. Their involvement means they’re not simply watching culture from the sidelines but actively shaping it with their own hands. It gives them real experience, room to grow professionally, and chances to build collaborations both at home and abroad. What feels especially moving is seeing last year’s pilot‑project participants return as organisers and mentors of the Youth Programme. It shows, quite plainly, that they’re already influencing the cultural landscape and stepping confidently into leadership”, said Justīne Rusakova, a public participation project manager with the Liepāja 2027.
The aim of the youth training and mentoring programme is to encourage active participation by young people in developing and delivering the Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 programme. It offers motivated participants from Liepāja, South Kurzeme and Kuldīga the opportunity to contribute to a range of cultural projects and events. After completing the programme, participants may join the European Capital of Culture Youth Club to continue developing their skills and become organisers of future youth initiatives. The next call for Liepāja 2027 Youth Programme applications is planned for this autumn.
Since November 2025, participants have learned in theory and practice about cultural event management. The programme has included training sessions with sector professionals, meetings with mentors, and a study visit to the cross-border city of Valga-Valka to strengthen cooperation with the Tartu Youth Programme for the 2024 European Capital of Culture. Young people aged 14 to 24 from Liepāja, South Kurzeme and Kuldīga were eligible to apply. Following a competitive selection process, 24 of the most motivated applicants from Aizpute, Grobiņa, Krote, Kuldīga, Nīca, Priekule and Liepāja were selected.
Activities for the 2025-2026 academic year are organised by the association Development Platform YOU+. The Youth Programme is implemented by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation with financial support from the Liepāja City Municipality, South Kurzeme Municipality, Kuldīga Municipality and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia. Total project funding amounts to 60,035 euros, fully co-financed by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia. The Liepāja 2027 Youth Programme forms part of the Youth Connect project, implemented with support from the Interreg Estonia-Latvia 2021-2027 programme.
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 communication, AS airBaltic Corporation, Jsc; and its land mobility partner, SIA Lux Express Latvia, Ltd. Media partners are VSIA Latvijas Sabiedriskais Medijs and AS Kurzemes Radio, Jsc.
Foundation Liepāja 2027
Public participation project manager
Justīne Rusakova
Phone: +371 26 668 571
E-mail: justine.rusakova@liepaja2027.lv
During the Liepāja City Council meeting on 23 April, city council members approved the appointment of Kristīne Liepa-Prese as the Board Member on Financial and Legal Matters of the “Foundation Liepāja 2027”.
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