Five Projects Receive Support In The Liepāja 2027 Project Competition

The “Liepāja 2027 Foundation” (Liepāja 2027) announced the winners of their recent project competition to organize activities celebrating European Day with three taking place in Liepāja, one in Kuldīga, and one in the South Kurzeme region.

“We’re truly delighted by the enthusiastic response and community interest in this competition,” shared Maija Jankovska, Community Outreach Expert at Liepāja 2027.  “For the first time, we piloted a system where residents directly influenced the outcome through voting.  This represents a first step in practical involving our most active neighbourhoods, organizations, and individuals in the European Capital of Culture project.”

The competition unfolded in two stages.  Initially, a panel of experts reviewed 19 proposals, selecting the 17 most fitting projects to proceed.  In the second round, applicants presented their ideas in person, followed by public voting.  These voting sessions were held in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and remote participation via Zoom.  Over 500 people actively participated in these public assemblies.

Voting for the projects submitted in Kuldīga Region took place on Wednesday 3 April, for the projects submitted in South Kurzeme on Thursday 4 April and for the projects submitted in Liepāja on Tuesday 9 April.

The highest public support in South Kurzeme was scored by the Association “StrettaART” with their project “European Discoveries: An Orienteering Game and an Acoustic Music Concert in Aizpute”. Participants in this engaging event will compete in creative tasks, culminating in a bonfire soup preparation and a concert featuring Aleksis Zariņš (guitar) and tenor Juris Jope.

In Kuldīga Region the project “United in Dance on the Banks of Venta River” by Association "Jautrie zābaciņi" will organize the joyous celebration of European Day and teach line dancing with the Venta community of Rumba municipality.

Whereas three events in Liepāja include "Brainstorm, Verbatim Theatre Performance" performance by Liepāja Dzintars High School Theatre, which is a thought-provoking performance, co-created by young people, using applied theatre techniques to explore teenage dynamics. Also, "Active Exploration of Cultural Sites in Karosta" by Association "Libau Active", which foresees to embark on an active adventure through Karosta, combining sightseeing with a cultural treasure hunt. And "Europe and Me" by Association "Radi Vidi Pats". This multifaceted project offers a variety of activities, including concerts, quizzes, and lectures. Participants can also join a bicycle ride connecting the two project venues - the "Zaļā Birzs" neighbourhood library and the "Valters" library.

All these events are free of charge and will take place on 9 May.

Further information about specific event times and locations will be announced soon.

The total project funding amounted to EUR 10,135, with one project receiving a dedicated co-funding amount of EUR 2,027.

Alongside five events that will be supported by the call for proposals, other creative activities organized by Liepāja 2027 to celebrate Europe Day will take place on 9 May. At 18:00, across the creative landscape of (un)rest – encompassing Liepāja's neighbourhoods, the towns of South Kurzeme, and Kuldīga – sails will be raised. These symbolic flags represent our collective voyage towards 2027, the year Liepāja dons the mantle of European Capital of Culture. All are invited to contribute to the sail designs, fostering a unique emblem that reflects the spirit and character of their specific neighbourhood, parish, or town. We will keep you posted about this collaborative sail campaign. Furthermore, an exhibition showcasing artistic interpretations of the theme of (un)rest will debut on 9 May, displayed across various shop windows in Liepāja.

The project competition is co-financed by the Liepāja City Municipality, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, and the Creative Europe project “CreArt 3.0 #STRINGING_TOGETHER” of the European Union.

About Europe Day: Europe Day is celebrated across Europe on 9 May, with a diverse and wide range of events dedicated to peace and unity. It marks the anniversary of the historic Schuman Declaration. In his declaration, Robert Schuman set out the idea of establishing a new form of political cooperation in Europe that would make war between European nations unthinkable. Schuman’s proposal is considered to be the origin of the current European Union.

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