Artists, Entrepreneurs, and Venue Hosts and Other Bright Personalities Become Liepāja 2027 Ambassadors

To promote Liepāja as the European Capital of Culture in 2027, the Foundation “Liepāja 2027” officially launched the Liepāja 2027 Ambassadors Programme on Saturday, 28 September, during a vibrant event in the city.

The diverse team of professionals from various sectors, all of whom will play a pivotal role in engaging different communities and helping to shape a shared sense of identity for Liepāja, South Kurzeme, and Kuldīga as part of the European Capital of Culture initiative have become the official Liepāja 2027 Ambassadors. Those all are well-respected figures in their respective fields, who will assist in sharing the most important news and updates about Liepāja 2027 and strengthening its programme. They will also help to engage local residents in upcoming events, fostering a deeper connection with the project.

“We invited leaders from various sectors to join the Liepāja 2027 Ambassadors Programme. Their expertise, networks, and personal ties to the region will serve as a boost to propel the European Capital of Culture to a wider audience and significantly enrich its programme. Many of the Ambassadors have personal connections to Liepāja or the region, which adds another layer of meaning to their involvement” said Inta Šoriņa, Chairperson of the Board of Liepāja 2027.

The artists in the team of Ambassadors include composer Ēriks Ešenvalds, singers Aija Andrejeva and Ralfs Eilands, and designers Elīna Štobe, Bruno Birmanis, Ivars Pilips, and Ingūna and Holgers Elers. Also joining are choreographer Kristīne Brīniņa, playwright Rasa Bugavičute-Pēce, directors Valters Sīlis and Marta Selecka, art curator Solvita Krese, and choir conductor Ilze Valce.

From the business community, Ambassadors include Ilze and Uldis Pīlēns, startup ecosystem leader Ernests Štāls, Jānis Šipkēvics (CEO of Radio SWH), Juris Binde (CEO of LMT), and publisher Santa Anča.

Additionally, several cultural institution leaders, such as Dagnija Baltiņa (Director of the National Library of Latvia), have also joined, along with local culture experts such as Dace Kārkla, Irita Kalēja, Madars Markus-Narvils, Timurs Tomsons, and Orests Silabriedis.

The education sector will be represented by Anda Laķe (Vice-Rector of the Latvian Academy of Culture), Dace Medne (Director of RTU Liepāja), and Gunita and Andris Lanka, owners of the popular "Valodu Vēstniecība" language school.

Environmental education will be overseen by Jānis Ulme from the Environmental Education Foundation, while good governance, inclusion, and financial literacy will be supported by Līga Stafecka (Providus), Ivars Balodis (Apeirons), and Mārtiņš Kazāks (Governor of the Bank of Latvia).

Ministers of Culture and Justice, Agnese Lāce and Inese Lībiņa-Egnere, as well as WRC driver Mārtiņš Sesks, have also joined the initiative.

Gunārs Ansiņš, Chairman of the Liepāja City Council, expressed his gratitude for the strong support received: “I’m truly delighted to see such a great positive feedback and engagement. Each Ambassador with their personal commitment brings their expertise to reinforce the message that Liepāja 2027 is not just about one city or region but about all of us – both Latvians and Europeans. Their involvement will undoubtedly strengthen the European Capital of Culture project and elevate its reach.”

The Ambassadors will voluntarily participate in a variety of activities tailored to their professional competence, skills and interests, such as attending cultural events, contributing to educational programmes, and promoting the project nationally and internationally. In the coming year, the programme will expand, inviting more individuals with creative ideas to join the cause, and all, who are interested to become as such, will be very much welcomed.

For more information about the Liepāja 2027 project and the Ambassadors’ programme, please refer to the Ambassadors' Handbook.

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