9 May – Europe Day Celebrations programme

Come and be part of the festivities on 9 May – Europe Day! On Thursday, 9 May, Liepāja, South Kurzeme, and Kuldīga will celebrate Europe Day with a series of events, ranging from grand public gatherings to more informal activities.

"Zaļā Birzs" Library in Liepāja

At 13:30, the local community will ceremonially launch the Europe Day sail campaign by hoisting the Liepāja 2027 sail, accompanied by a concert featuring the music ensemble "Austrasbērni" in the library courtyard with performances by musicians Inese Muižniece, Simona Rača-Rūce, Roberts Dinters, and Jānis Rūcis.

Starting from 14:30, schoolchildren and students will engage in an attractive five-round quiz titled "Eirovīna," covering various aspects of European culture, art, politics, music, and history. The quiz will be moderated by the creative local personality Linda Ulāne.

At 17:00, there will be a bicycle ride from the "Zaļā Birzs" residential neighbourhood to the "Valters" Library in the "Ziemeļu priekšpilsēta" neighbourhood. The ride will commence at the Zaļā Birzs Library and conclude at the Valters Library.

Valters Library in Liepāja

At 17:50, the sail will be raised at the Valters Library, followed by a concert featuring youth from the neighbourhood schools.

At 18:20, Inga Saulīte will deliver a lecture titled "Miķelis Valters: Latvian Statehood."

At 19:00, there will be a serving of Miķelis Valters Dada soup.

For the event programme, please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1051535600314200

Aizpute Art Park

Starting from 16:00, everyone is welcomed to participate in an orienteering game crafted as an adventurous journey. Each checkpoint will represent a distinct European country or cultural facet.

In addition to the orienteering game, there will be a bonfire with a soup.

For the event program, please visit:

https://www.liepaja2027.lv/aktualitates/eiropas-dienas-piedzivojums---aizputes-makslas-parka

Venta's Bukaiši – "On the banks of the Venta, united in dance"

The event is scheduled from 17:00 to 20:00 with numerous engaging activities from educational games to crafting peace doves and learning new dance steps, joint picnic warm campfire soup.

From 19:00 join the fifteen-dance concert program.

For the event programme, please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/events/813659864124204

Awakening Garden, Liepaja - Active Guided Exploration Hunt for Cultural Sites

From 17:00 arrival at the Awakening Garden and unleashing your creativity with sail making alongside a painter.

At 17:30 Latvian traditions and songs with the folklore group "Ķocis” and Solveiga Kūlaine.

At 18:00 raising the sail and set off on the walk to uncover hidden cultural gems.

At 20:00 returning to the Awakening Garden to be greeted with surprises featuring European symbols.

For the event programme, please visit: https://kalendars.liepaja.lv/lv/2024-05-09:42335:187497/

"Brainstorm, Verbatim Theatre Performance" performance by Dzintars High School

At 18:00 the engaging youth performance titled "Brainstorm verbatim" at the premises of Dzintars High School (5 Celmu Street). Theatre, co-created by young people, using applied theatre techniques to explore teenage dynamics.

For the event programme, please visit: https://kalendars.liepaja.lv/lv/2024-05-09:42314:187451/

In addition to these events, individual sails were raised in various locations across Liepāja, Kuldīga, and South Kurzeme regions. “Raise the Sails” initiative is a community engagement program designed to celebrate Europe Day (May 9th) and foster active participation in the European Capital of Culture 2027 project. This program aims to identify and connect with residents across Liepāja, South Kurzeme, and Kuldīga who are passionate about contributing to the cultural development of the region. Participants had the opportunity to personalize their own sail, reflecting their values and sense of belonging. Dozens of residents and communities received their individual sails, planned to be raised together on May 9th at 18:00. Following the Europe Day celebration on May 9th, all sails will be collected and showcased on the Liepāja 2027 Facebook account.

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