Liepāja 2027 Opens “Midsummer on the Farm” Co-Funding Competition

To celebrate Latvia’s Jāņi (Midsummer) traditions and the intangible heritage of the summer solstice, and to bring cultural tourism experiences to rural homesteads across the region, the Liepāja 2027 Foundation is launching a co-funding competition “Midsummer on the Farm” on 2 September 2026.

The call is part of the Liepāja 2027 project cluster “Nordic Solstice”, which explores Latvian Midsummer and solstice traditions – their preservation, contemporary reinterpretation, and the cultural links they share with the Baltic and Nordic countries.

“Midsummer on the Farm” offers an opportunity to experience festive traditions right where their roots run deepest – in rural homesteads and local communities,” shares Baiba Bartkeviča, Artistic Director of Liepāja 2027. “We are encouraging farm owners to open their gates and create events where age-old customs meet the folk of today, turning heritage into a shared experience for us all.”

Owners of rural homesteads in the city of Liepāja, Kuldīga and South Kurzeme – or their authorised representatives – are welcome to apply if they wish to host authentic, publicly accessible Midsummer and summer solstice celebrations at their properties in June 2027. Applications are open both to participants in the “Midsummer on the Farm” series of masterclasses held in spring 2026, and to others who are interested to join the project. Masterclass participants will receive extra points in the assessment, in recognition of the knowledge and preparation gained during the series – where they learned the skills needed to organise a Midsummer celebration, including traditional games and songs, ways of bringing customs to life, and various aspects of event production.

At least ten projects will receive support. Successful events must take place in a free-form format between 21 and 23 June 2027 and must be freely accessible to all, including visitors with mobility impairments and those with pushchairs. Each participating homestead must be able to accommodate at least 50 guests.

A single project may receive co-funding of up to 8,000 euros, with total funding for the competition set at 80,000 euros.

Applications can be submitted until 23:59 on 5 October 2026, via the online application form on the Liepāja City Council e-services portal at epakalpojumi.liepaja.lv

Competition documentation:

• Rules and Regulations
• Project application form for participation in the “Midsummer on the Farm” competition
• Project budget form
• Draft funding agreement with annexes
• Competition guidelines

Please request the English translation of the documentation individually.

The Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 programme is delivered by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation, the City of Liepāja and official partners – the South Kurzeme and Kuldīga municipalities, with the co-founding from the Ministry of Culture. The “Liepāja 2027” programme is supported by its main partner in environmental education and sustainability, AS CleanR Grupa; its main partner in air mobility and international communications, AS Air Baltic Corporation; its legal partner, SIA Sorainen ZAB; its land mobility partner, SIA Lux Express Latvia; and its partner for maritime mobility and international communications, SIA Stena Line. The Foundation’s media partners are VSIA Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs, SIA Žurnāls Santa, SIA Tvnet grupa, and AS Kurzemes Radio.

For more information, please contact:

Dārta Rašmane
Liepāja 2027 Foundation
Project Manager
Phone: +371 22 011 136
E-mail: darta.rasmane@liepaja2027.lv