On December 5, 2023, the shapers of cultural life in Latvia’s regions will converge at Liepāja’s Pegasus Courtyard for not just to share experiences but to seek into the key factors driving successful community engagement in shaping the local cultural landscape.
The power of community involvement lies in its ability to align cultural events and activities with the unique needs and expectations of local residents, fostering a distinct cultural identity and fortifying the bonds between individuals and their neighbourhoods. However, transforming community participation from theory to practice is not without its challenges as we will explore during this upcoming event.
The seminar’s first part will spotlight the artist’s perspective in crafting community art projects that actively involve local residents. Choreographer Kristīne Brīniņa and director Mārtiņš Eihe will draw from their experiences, unveiling art projects that were implemented in Liepāja and Ziemupe.
In the second part of the seminar, the spotlight will shift to community involvement through the lens of local authorities and organizers engaged in large-scale and long-term initiatives. These initiatives recognize community outreach as a pivotal element. Notable among them are the Liepāja European Capital of Culture 2027 program, the Tukums UNESCO City of Creative Literature program, and the Kuldīga Cultural Development Program, with the latter’s Old Town World Heritage status as a crucial component.
This seminar, titled “Community Involvement in Cultural Environment,” is a collaborative effort between the Latvian National Cultural Centre, the Latvian Academy of Culture, the “CultureLab” think tank, and the “Liepāja 2027 Foundation.” It forms a part of the “Latvian Cultural Ambassadors” training program, supported by the Ministry of Culture. The program aims to foster professional growth and collaboration among managers of Latvian cultural organizations and project developers, inspiring positive change within local communities through cultural and artistic endeavours. Throughout 2023, a trio of seminars will explore the topics of technology, innovation, and participation.
Please be advised, that advance registration for the seminar is recommended. Reach out to the seminar coordinator, Jolanta Sausiņa, at tel. +371 28 377 783 or jolanta.sausina@gmail.com to secure your spot and be part of this experience.
Event programme
10:30 Opening. Kick-off with a speech by Inta Šoriņa, Board Chairperson of the "Liepāja 2027 Foundation."
10:45 Community Participation in Practice. Opportunities and complexities with insights from Ilona Asare, Head of the Latvian Academy of Culture Further Education Centre.
11:15 Encounter: Documentation as a Bridge. With artist and choreographer Kristīne Brīniņa.
11:45 Ziemupe: Personal and Professional. With Director Mārtiņš Eihe.
13:00 Crafting the Cultural Space "Pegasus Courtyard". With Irita Kalēja, Board Member of "Liepāja Music" and the owner of Pegasus Courtyard.
13:20 Communities for Culture and Culture for Communities: an insight into the Liepāja 2027 community program with Maija Jankovska, Community Outreach Coordinator of the Liepāja 2027 Foundation.
13:45 Community Participation in Tukums - UNESCO Creative Cities Network City of Literature. With Guna Roze-Tamule, Board Chairperson of the Tukums Literary Association.
14:10 Public Participation in Kuldīga Cultural Events. With Agnese Lapsiņa, Culture Project Expert of Kuldīga Municipality.
14:55 Closing Discussion on the Challenges of Community Involvement.
15:30 Closure
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