European Capital of Culture 202727th May, 2021

We are distinguished by the fact that the city is not afraid of the challenges and extravagant behaviour – we are not afraid to lead new trends, to do and implement what others are only dreaming of, and this is the reason we have also decided to participate in the competition for the title “European Capital of Culture 2027”.

The concept of Liepāja application

Considering the fact that Liepāja is a birth place of the wind, often labelled as the creator of rest and unrest and the feisty force of creativity and overwhelming peace – the concept of Liepāja application is based on the story of (un)rest.

A five-line program has been set up under the (un)rest guideline to address important challenges facing both Europe and Liepāja in particular.

The shared vision of the program is to provide everyone with landmarks and beacons in the ever-changing world of rest and unrest. Each of the five lines of the program – “European‌ ‌Dream”, “Port‌ ‌Paradox”, “‌New‌ ‌Eyes”, “Deliberate‌ ‌Modesty” and “Creative‌ ‌Foresight‌” – reveals a story closely linked to Liepāja and its roots to Europe.

With the extensive and diverse cultural program, Liepāja is eager to create a perceptible orientation plan that would help to better understand both each other and the world in which we live, promoting public activity and also growth of a healthy dose of rest and unrest.

Main objectives

• Promote economic growth in the city of Liepāja, as well as visibility and awareness among local and international audiences;
• Encourage the education and co-responsibility of Liepāja residents in social processes, communication between professionals from different sectors, developing diverse innovation processes and involving different cultural activities;
• Provide high-quality cultural, arts and cross-sectoral activities;
• Develop cultural and recreational infrastructure and facilitate the conservation and development of sites of cultural and historical heritage.

Liepāja is getting ready

We heartfully thank all active local residents and our neighbours from surrounding municipalities, so as our friends from all over Latvia and the world, who take part in this joint creative and responsible process, contributing the unimaginable amount of bursting positive energy and ideas.

Your tips and proposals, and ideas are invaluable and very helpful in creating a strong application for Liepāja to the European Capital of Culture 2027! You are our greatest treasure.

A little more patience, a little more work to be done and soon enough you will be presented with the result – Liepāja’s application for the first selection stage of the European Capital of Culture 2027.

Spotlight

• The Liepāja European Capital of Culture 2027 application has been approved. (May 20, 2021). Read more.
• 2027 Capital of culture candidates: Liepāja. (May 8, 2021)
• Call for ideas to promote public participation and highlight environmental issues in the city of Liepāja. (January 20, 2021)
• 81% of the local Liepāja residents believe that the European Capital of Culture title will have a positive impact on the city economy. (January 13, 2021)
• Call for local residents to participate in the preparation of Liepāja application to win the title of the European Capital of Culture 2027. (November 3, 2020)
• On 15 October 2020, Liepāja City Council members adopted a decision to support the participation of Liepāja and the preparation of an application for the European Capital of Culture 2027 title for the pre-selection competition. (October 15, 2020)

Rest and unrest

Liepāja was always used to be a city of paradoxes and opposites, but even regardless of the residence place, we are all constantly hanging between opposites. Between rest and unrest, noise and silence, action and inaction, buzz and tranquillity, full speed and full stop, white and black, joy and grief, love and hatred. Living full means being able to maintain a balance between these two counter-positions.

We asked the local residents, or as we say – “liepājnieki” – where and how best to express the Liepāja creative unrest!

• The Doctor of Arts, Kurzeme Institute of Humanities researcher Vēsma Lēvalde tells her perception of the creating unrest
• Founder of “Caught in Liepāja/Captured in Liepaja” Ilze Vainovska tells her perception of the creating unrest
• Artist Agnese Rudzīte tells her viewpoint of the emerging unrest
• Member of the Board of Liepāja Theatre Eva Ciekurze explains her image of the unrest
• Pastor Edgar Mažis delivers his insight into the understanding of the creative unrest
• A young mother, the Marketing and Public relations Manager of the concert hall “Great amber” Santa Margeviča, tells about the origins of her creative unrest
• Manager of “Sense media” Egils Šusts gives his opinion on the description of creative unrest
• Indulis Pelnēns, Advertising specialist for the concert hall “Great amber” tells his perception of the creating unrest
• Dzintars Hmieļevskis, Manager of the “Rietumu Radio” tells his perception of the creating unrest
• Anda Pūce, Editor of the publishing house “Kurzemes Vārds” tells her perception of the creating unrest
• Elīna Štobe, Designer tells her perception of the creating unrest
• Mārtiņš Feldmanis, Lighting artist tells his perception of the creating unrest
• Baiba Bartkeviča, Artistic Director of the Concert Hall “Great amber” tells her perception of the creating unrest
• Timurs Tomsons, Chairman of the “SIA Lielais Dzintars” Board  tells his perception of the creating unrest
• Monta Krafte, Founder of “Karostas Glābšanas Biedrība” (Society to Save Karosta) tells her perception of the creating unrest
• Irita Kalēja, Member of the Board of “Liepāja Music” tells her perception of the creating unrest
• Jānis Vecbrālis, Photographer tells his perception of the creating unrest
• Ivars Pilips - Matisons, PIKC LMMDV Art, Music and Design High-school teacher tells his perception of the creating unrest
• Signe Dancīte, Liepāja Theatre actress tells her perception of the creating unrest
• Ritvars Embrekts, SIA “Šarmants” Ltd, Board Member tells his perception of the creating unrest
• Ilze Žaime, Leather product designer tells her perception of the creating unrest
• Andris Lanka, Founder of the “Valodu Vēstniecība” translation and language school agency tells his perception of the creating unrest

Share your feelings and emotions about the origins of your rest and unrest with us! How can you explain them? Paint or vocalize your associations with these two words! Tell us where, when and how you feel rest and peace the most in Liepāja, and where and how – it is the opposite. Let’s get involved, all of us and individually, leave a note at miersnemiers.liepaja.lv.

Rest and unrest of local residents were projected on the wall of the Lielā Street 1 residential house from April 1 to April 3.

Our management team

Liepāja City Council Chairman Janis Vilnitis, Liepāja City Council Vice-Chairman for City Development and Cooperation Gunars Ansiņš, Liepāja City Council Vice-Chairman for Strategic Planning Uldis Sesks, Liepāja City Council Vice-Chairman for Culture and Sport Atis Deksnis.

The responsible institution assigned to develop the application shall be Liepāja City Municipality Institution “Department of Culture”.

Our task team

Inta Šoriņa – Manager of the application development project
Nauris Lazdāns – responsible for the involvement of cultural institutions and for the events production
Agita Auza – responsible for implementing the cultural policy
Kristīne Niedre Lathere – responsible for education sector issues
Baiba Bartkeviča – responsible for artistic programme related issues
Aiga Kļaveniece – responsible for the implementation of urban development and planning issues
Nora Sudmale – responsible for public participation
Zita Lazdāne – responsible for communication and marketing
Ance Kolibere – responsible for international relations

Contacts

Please contact the European Capital of Culture team by writing an e-mail to: liepaja2027@liepaja.lv

More information