Tartu 2024 and Liepāja 2027 Youth Programme participants meet in Liepāja
From April 13 to 16, as part of the Interreg Estonia-Latvia Programme funded project “ECoCs together”, participants of the Tartu 2024 youth programme Tartu 2024 Extended visited Liepāja to meet the Liepāja 2027 Youth Programme team.
The four-day programme was full of diverse experiences – from exploring the city of Liepāja to engaging in conversations on important topics such as accessibility in culture and the role of youth within it. The guests toured the city, visited the Liepāja Secondary School of Music, Art and Design, took part in discussions and workshops on cultural co-creation, and discovered one of Liepāja’s hidden gems — Karosta.
During the exchange, the young people also got to know the world of extreme sports and released some emotions in the Smash Room. Meetings with professionals from Liepāja’s cultural field added valuable insights.
In the creative quarter Tipogrāfija, the Liepāja 2027 team — creative producers Anna Priedola and Tīna Pētersone, together with programme producer Diāna Daiva Priediena — held an informal workshop with the youth. They explored associations with Liepāja, shared their personal places of rest and unrest, and expressed their vision of what they would like to see in the European Capital of Culture programme in 2027.
This international gathering reflects a strong belief that youth involvement in cultural programmes is essential — not only as participants but as idea generators and drivers. It offers young people a chance to be heard and to help shape cultural events that reflect their stories and perspectives.
Project funded by: Project “EstLat ECOCs together” is supported by Interreg IV-A Estonia-Latvia Programme 2021-2027 aiming to strengthen cooperation among regions across the borders of Estonia and Latvia.
Project objective: To empower young people and actors of the cultural community by developing their skills and knowledge in creating inclusive and innovative cultural programs with the help of cross-border knowledge and cultural exchange led by European Capitals of Culture.
The project’s duration is from July 2024 to December 2025, with a series of activities planned. Funding from the European Regional Development Fund: €69,935, partner co-financing: €17,483.75.
Project partners: Foundation Tartu 2024 and Foundation Liepāja 2027.
More information is available at www.estlat.eu.
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