Liepāja: European Capital of Culture 2027

While Riga is renowned for its lively nightlife and rich cultural agenda, another Latvian city is no less deserving of attention for its thriving arts and events scene. Liepāja, a windswept and soulful city on the Baltic Sea, pulses with its own unique energy and charm. Recently announced a European Capital of Culture 2027, this newly unlocked status is a testament to its deep-rooted artistic spirit and creative renaissance. Let’s explore what this port city has to offer!

Liepāja – Perfect for a Long Weekend of Culture

Today, a weekend evening in Liepāja could start with dinner at a Michelin-acclaimed restaurant, continue with a soul-stirring concert, and end with a dance or sunset drinks at a hip beach bar. All this within walking distance from your accommodation, making Liepāja a wonderful destination for long and leisurely weekend getaways.

Liepāja is a popular weekend choice among locals of Latvia too, who head there to enjoy its legendary theater, world class performances at the Great Amber Concert Hall, and the annual Summer Sound music festival on the beach.

During the day, Liepāja provides ample opportunities to engage with the outdoors. While the beach is a major draw, Lake Liepāja is popular for birdwatching and fishing, and the Karosta neighborhood is home to a wake park, campsite, and fascinating historical forts to explore on foot.

The port city boasts impressive wood and Art Nouveau architecture that reveals insights into the lives and livelihoods of its residents over the years. Its buildings house compelling visitor attractions like Madame Hoyer’s Guest House – a museum of 17th-19th century interiors – the Liepāja Museum, and the bustling Pētertirgus Market. The work of architect Paul Max Bertschi is particularly remarkable. His signature style shaped the city in the late 1800s.

Exploring Liepāja’s Exciting Musical Heritage

Music has had a profound influence on Liepāja and its residents over the years. The city’s philharmonic hall opened in the 1880s, leading to the founding of the Liepāja Symphonic Orchestra. In the years following World War I, while the economy recovered, the arts and culture scene thrived. The city got its own conservatoire and opera (sadly, no longer operational), and Latvia’s first art school for children opened there.

Since then, Liepāja has acquired a reputation for rock music. Several significant Latvian bands – Līvi, Credo, and Remix – hail from the city, as does the widely beloved composer Zigmars Liepiņš. An Alley of Fame honors the many artists born and performing in Liepāja, and the captivating Tree of Ghosts sculpture is dedicated to Līvi, a band whose songs many can sing along to.

European Capital of Culture 2027 – Inspired by the Wind

Many “blame” the wind for the city’s creative spirit. Latvians know Liepāja as the birthplace of the wind, and this powerful wind is an inspiring force that fosters talent, ideas, and innovation. The revered Latvian composer Imants Kalniņš, who has lived and worked in Liepāja, even wrote a song called Pilsēta, kurā piedzimst vējš (In the City where the Wind is Born) dedicated to the city and its inhabitants.

It’s this idea about the wind that feeds the European Capital of Culture 2027 concept. With an action-packed interdisciplinary program, Liepāja hopes that the initiative will bolster the city’s economic development, draw more international visitors, encourage new partnerships and artistic endeavors, and maintain the local arts and culture infrastructure.
The five thematic strands – European Dream, Port Paradox, New Eyes, Deliberate Modesty, and Creative Foresight – promise to reveal the true spirit of Liepāja today and pave the way for the city’s further sustainable development. Make sure to put a visit to Liepāja: European Capital of Culture 2027 in your plans!