On 16 August from 14:00 to 20:00, the leafy paths of Karosta will once again become home for the traditional Lāčplēsis Garden Festival. This year’s theme, “Karosta Stories”, will honour the 400th anniversary of Liepāja and 135 years of Karosta, with a day dedicated to the tales and dreams of the neighbourhood.<\/p>
As always, the festival will open at 14:00 with the Liepāja Karosta Music School Orchestra setting the tone. They will be followed by Matīss Pavītols, a local singer-songwriter, and the trio “Draudzība” from Talsi, whose witty and festive arrangements bring well-known melodies to life.<\/p>
At 18:00, the celebration of Karosta’s most recognizable person will reach its emotional high point with a concert by the Navy Orchestra, joined by soloists Agnese Jēkabsone and Viktors Ellers, and Liepāja Theatre actors, telling Karosta’s story from past to present in music and words. The evening will close with a joint performance of young and professional musicians on one stage.<\/p>
From 14:00 to 18:00, the park will transform into a creative hub. Liepāja 2027 Foundation will welcome guests with the city’s now-popular swing bench and Anda Lāce’s interactive performance “Kur kāpurs rāpo” (Where the Caterpillar Crawls). At the Karosta story video studio, visitors can share their memories, while local authors, such as G. Rezevska, A. Puzarele, H. Kupjanska, I. Vlasova and Valentīns, will prompt attendees to uncover hidden legends, discover keywords, and get playful with letters thus creating new words.<\/p>
The Karosta Music School will invite curious hands to try musical instruments, while creative workshops will offer decorations for visitors to capture memories at the community photo wall. For those seeking quieter corners, there will be a board game area and two deeply reflective photo exhibitions — “Karosta Mysteries” by 18 different photographers, coordinated by the Karosta Rescue Society, and “My Karosta Story”, created by the Karosta Children’s Day Centre in collaboration with the British Council Latvia. Also, at the Karosta Nature Service Point, as part of the “Future DiverCities” project, guests are welcome to explore the often overlooked natural beauty of Karosta.<\/p>
At 16:00, guide Inita Ķirše will lead an excursion through the Lāčplēsis Garden surroundings, revealing its hidden layers, while children programme will continue at 16:15 with the Liepāja Travelling Puppet Theatre “Maska” play “Once Upon a Time in Micīšciems…”, a joyful tale of holiday preparations and seaside adventures.<\/p>
And at 17:00, a festival favourite returns — on request of the public the foam party will bring seaside frolics to the heart of the park.<\/p>
The festival’s closest neighbours will be joining in too — the 44th Infantry Battalion of the National Guard, the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD), and a lively craft and local goods market.<\/p>