Ancient Fire Night to Feature a Romantic Shipsea Seafront Concert

On the final Saturday of August, the Night of the Ancient Fire will illuminate the Baltic coast with thousands of bonfires, symbolizing the unity and shared heritage of the Baltic Sea's coastal communities. As the sun sets and the flames begin to flicker, musician, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Jānis Šipkēvics, known as Shipsea, will enchant residents and visitors in Liepāja with a magical, romantic concert.

On August 31 at 20:00, Shipsea will take to the stage on Liepāja beach, near the Roņu Street beach exit, joined by the talented singer Una Daniela. Together, they will perform original pieces such as "Pie upes," "Tavi viļņi," and "Siltā gaismā," which have already won the hearts of many. The evening will also feature other compositions, reimagined with Shipsea’s distinctive sound.

“Liepāja holds a special place in my heart,” shares Jānis Šipkēvics. “From my father's roots in this city to the rise of musical avant-garde and Latvian rock classics behind the Iron Curtain, Liepāja is also the birthplace of, in my opinion, Latvia's greatest music legend, Imants Kalniņš. Every chance to perform here is a true delight. But this time, with the waves of the Baltic Sea as our backdrop, I feel the music of Shipsea will carry a unique, almost mystical resonance.”

The Night of the Ancient Fire is a time-honoured tradition where bonfires are lit along the coast to celebrate the unity of seaside communities and pay tribute to our shared history and cultural heritage. These flames serve as a symbolic reminder that the deep connection between coastal people and the sea remains unbroken through the millennia. The event also seeks to spotlight environmental concerns, especially the vital need to safeguard the Baltic Sea's purity. With each passing year, this tradition reaches new shores, drawing in participants from Estonia, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Finland, Norway, and beyond. In Latvia, the Night of the Ancient Fire has been celebrated since 2010.

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