News

This year’s programme in Liepāja featured educational activities in the square by the concert hall “Lielais dzintars” and performances by artists from the “Art Bus 75” project across various cultural venues in the city. In Dienvidkurzeme Municipality, celebrations took place in Durbe and Virga, while in Kuldīga Municipality they were held in Vārme and Alsunga.

On 7 May, within the framework of the Latvian Culture Month in Germany, Liepāja 2027 had the opportunity to present the European Capital of Culture programme at the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Berlin to representatives of the cultural sector, cooperation partners and the Latvian diaspora in Germany.

The community-building and cultural projects will be implemented at various locations across Kurzeme between June and August 2026. These will include the “Pļava” festival, the community celebration “Together at the Bread Table”, the “Ventspils Street Creative Courtyard”, the “Ezerkrasts Neighbourhood Picnic” and the contemporary Midsummer celebration “(un)rest Midsummer in OTAS”.

The Liepāja 2027 Foundation is announcing an open co-financing call for the implementation of events within the Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 programme. The call is designed to inspirit the (un)rest programme with contemporary, high-quality cultural events created in partnership with independent organisations from across Latvia. Please submit your applications no later than by 16 June 2026 at 23:59.

On Friday, 29 May, at 17:00, the contemporary art exhibition “At Ease!” will open at the storefronts of 36/38 Graudu Street in Liepāja, where it will remain on view until 29 June. Organised by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation, the exhibition brings together artworks that explore creative practices of peacebuilding.

On Wednesday, April 29, as part of the Liepāja 2027 activities, a Culture Breakfast was held at the Vērgale Culture Center, South Kurzeme region. During this event, at the participants’ proposal, the focus was on community involvement in event planning and organization, as well as volunteer participation in the event process.

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.”

During this workshop, participants learned how to prepare a traditional bonfire, make festive decorations, create flower crowns, and prepare traditional Midsummer dishes.

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.

Launching the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme initiative “Salmon Song”, a public discussion titled “Spawning is not a buffet” took place on Saturday, 25 April, in Kuldīga. The event brought together members of the public and industry representatives to draw attention to the critical state of salmon populations and related environmental issues.