“Open the Library” Campaign to Celebrate Liepāja Central Scientific Library’s 247th Anniversary with a Great Programme of Free Activities

On Saturday, 9 November, the Liepāja 2027 Foundation and the Liepāja Central Scientific Library invite all local residents and city guests to join in celebrating the library’s 247th anniversary through the campaign “Open the Library.” A day filled with engaging events has been designed to offer ten different free activities that include everything from poetry yoga and children’s interactive performance to a book-writing workshop and a literature-themed party – a day packed with events for all ages.

With the aim of opening its doors to a wider audience, Silva Vucena, the library’s Deputy Director for Development, expressed her enthusiasm for the event:

“This one-day celebration is our way of welcoming a diverse audience to explore the library – some will be visiting for the first time, others may rediscover something new. The programme has something for everyone, from the youngest to the most experienced, so please join us in this celebration”

The event will start at 10:00 with Poetry Yoga, blending physical movement with poetic readings for a soothing start to the day. Guests are encouraged to dress comfortably, with yoga mats provided at the venue. This 90-minute session will take place in the “Grunta” Hall, on the first floor. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required at https://ej.uz/dzejas-joga.

At 10:30, the day continues in the Reading Room with “Adventures Beyond the Pages,” an interactive theatre performance for children (ages 3+) and parents. Based on the book by Spanish author Rocio Bonilla, this performance is designed to inspire a love for reading among the youngest participants. After the play, children can participate in a workshop where they will create their own bookmarks and receive a recommended reading list from the main character, Lucas, fuelling their interest for continued reading.

For those curious about the craft of bookbinding, the Bookbinder’s Cabinet will be open all day from 11:00 to 17:00, offering a glimpse into the traditional artform of bookbinding. Visitors will learn about the daily tools and techniques of the trade from expert craftsmen.

In the “Grunta” Hall, skilled literary enthusiasts can engage in a conversation game that uses quotes from famous works to spark discussions on a range of social topics. Two rounds of the game will be held: 12:00 to 13:00 and 13:00 to 14:00, encouraging thought-provoking dialogue.

For those with a creative flair, the Text and Sound Workshop from 12:30 to 14:30 in the Book Exchange Room will invite participants to create an audio story inspired by the library’s unique atmosphere.

If you’re looking to connect with fellow readers, from 14:30 to 17:00 in the “Grunta” Hall, the library will host a special session where local book clubs from Liepāja and the surrounding regions will introduce to their communities, providing an opportunity for new friendships and future discussions.

Aspiring authors as young as 11 years old and book worms can take part in the Book Writing and Publishing Workshop from 15:00 to 17:00 in the Reading Room. This hands-on session will guide participants through the entire process of book creation, from concept to publication.

To cap off the day’s festivities, the library will host a Literature Party starting at 18:00. This three-hour celebration will feature a music playlist inspired by the Liepāja 2027 bookshelf “Liepājnieki lasa,” (Residents of Liepāja Read) providing a display of the favourite books of well-known Liepāja residents. You can take a look at the bookshelf ahead of time and cast your vote for a book that could inspire the evening’s music.

Throughout the day, visitors are also invited to share their favourite poems in the Poetry Corner located in the Book Exchange Room. Those seeking inspiration can explore the library’s extensive poetry collection just next door.

The Reading Room will also transform into a dedicated area for traditional and tactile board games and puzzles, while the Stairs Lobby will host an ongoing listening session of records from the library’s extensive audio collection.

The Liepāja Central Scientific Library, located at 7 Zivju iela, Liepāja, will be open throughout the day from 9:00 to 21:00, with all activities free of charge. Advance registration is only required for poetry yoga (https://ej.uz/dzejas-joga).

Some of the activities are part of the Liepāja 2027 microgrants project, a collaboration co-financed by the Liepāja City Municipality and the European Union’s "Creative Europe" programme under the “CreArt 3.0 #STRINGING_TOGETHER” initiative.

The Valladolid Municipality of Spain has undertaken the lead role in this project, backed up by the partners from the Municipality of Aveiro, Portugal, the Municipality of Lublin, Poland, the Croatian Association of Fine Artists “HDLU-Zagreba”, the Municipality of Skopje, Northern Macedonia, the Lithuanian Gallery “Artkomas-Kaunas”,  the French municipalities of Rouen and Clermont-Ferrand, the Italian municipality of Venice, the Czech public foundation “Češke Budejovice”, the Finnish municipality of Oulu, the German municipality of Regensburg and the Foundation “Liepāja 2027”.

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