ARTeries JŪRMALA – EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2027 JŪRMALA: FACTS AND FIGURES

14 24 km 320 m 100 km2 railway stations, of sandy width of the city the largest resort none of which are beaches at its narrowest point town in the Baltic called “Jūrmala” States

64 % 390 > 4,5 millions 2005 natural areas architectural same-day visitors granted the WHO (including 4 special pro- monuments to the city “Healthy City” tection areas, forests, flood status meadows, inland waters)

> 800 > 400 000 30 150 000 2 cultural events visitors to events cultural venues visitors to the Introduction per year in the city Dzintari Concert Hall in a year Contribution to the long-term strategy 9 Cultural and artistic content 15

European dimension 34

OUTREACH 40 6 > 550 000 14 22 % libraries book loans yearly schools of pupils in Jūrmala 44 attend art and music MANAGEMENT schools Finance 44

Organisational structure 49 Contingency planning 50 Marketing and communication 51

57 000 49 % 35 % Art Station Dubulti – Capacity to deliver 54 inhabitants Latvians Russians the only exhibition hall in the city in Europe located inside a working railway station Introduction

Q1 Why does your city wish to take part in the competition for the title of European Capital of Culture?

For over a year now, the Covid-19 pandemic close to the Latvian capital Rīga, at the be- countries around the world, we are involved has had a dramatic impact on people all over ginning of the 19th century in keeping with in few networks and cannot take pride in the world. Even before the pandemic, the the flourishing culture of air, sun and water substantial international cooperation. This World Health Organisation (WHO) had ac- treatments in Europe. Since then, people is partly due to the fact that Jūrmala is knowledged that mental health was this dec- have continued to come to Jūrmala, even its own city, with a pace that differs from ade’s most serious health problem. The emo- during the Soviet era. People know us for other Latvian cities. We are a mosaic made tional fallout from isolation and the numer- the sea and the sun, but our wealth also lies up of 26 different neighbourhoods each ous restrictions that people have lived under in the 740 ha large deposit of therapeutic with its own distinct character and way has intensified the urgency of this crisis. mud in our swamps and in our 33 mineral of life (see Jūrmala city map at page 58). While vaccination offers a hope that normal water wells. In recognition of these natu- However, if the European Union (EU) can everyday life will have resumed by 2027, we ral resources, Jūrmala was assigned the become a whole and unite countries with We are ready to put in the work to extend that we can find there, that we are mind- have to work hard to promote mental health Healthy City status by the WHO in 2005. different cultures, languages, and histori- We are changing because we believe that: cal backgrounds, then so can we! It will be and improve municipal funding for citizens’ ful of our responsibility towards our natural  culture is the key to building a united and introduce prevention strategies to sus- Still today, Jūrmala is a calm oasis where a challenge to make every part of the city initiatives that would help the residents heritage and the impact that our actions can city. Culture can act as a catalyst for tain good mental health in the long run. This people come to restore their health, get in- and every person living here feel a sense in our neighbourhoods to unite and come have. Just as nature heals us, so we must neighbourhoods and citizens to par- will require us to rethink our approach and spiration, and to relax. During the Covid-19 of belonging, but we believe that culture together in formal or informal groups. We also nurture our environment. For in reverse, ticipate in city life and decision-making advocate for health literacy. pandemic, Jūrmala’s wide open spaces have can be the unifying platform that ties us all are ready to put in the work to create new nature can respond mercilessly to human ir- more actively, in this way giving new life attracted people who have come to enjoy The abundance of unspoiled natural re- together. and effective ways to cooperate with local responsibility! Climate change makes itself to real democracy based on the values the fresh air while still being able to keep sources that can be found in Jūrmala can be communities, different interest groups and felt in Jūrmala every day. Jūrmala stretches of respect and solidarity, a safe distance from others. We are happy partners in both Latvia and abroad. One of over 24 km between the Gulf of Rīga and used to revive and reinvigorate both mind  cultural activities promote inclusion and and body. Culture is another, maybe less to share our natural and health resources. We encounter our first challenge our approaches will be to make use of our the Lielupe River and is only 320 m wide at In order to be able to do this wholeheart- equality, which create a more united tangible, but equally powerful tool to heal when thinking about ways in which advantage of being well-recognised in the its narrowest point between Lielupe and the edly, we must first be healthy ourselves. We former Soviet republics, which are now EU and more tolerant world, our spirits. By becoming the European Jūrmala can continue to be a sanctu- sea. Through coastal erosion, storms break want to set a good example for how to find Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries, as off pieces of land from the city every year.  culture can draw attention to the im- Capital of Culture (ECoC), we want to ary for health and harmony. We are balance in both physical and mental health well as in Russia. Here, we see an opportu- We are quite literally disappearing. The ef- pact that modern life has on the envi- release the power that culture holds and motivated to set an example by redefi- in order for people to be able to learn from nity for Europe to build bridges of coopera- fects of climate change can also take the ronment and on people’s health, which demonstrate that culture is an artery of ning what it means to be a healthy city. us. We want to set a good example for how tion with countries in the east. form of regular peat fires and threats to bio- can help us take responsibility for the health and of life and keeps the circula­ to live in harmony with nature. diversity along the coast. The list goes on… impact of climate change for future tion between society and nature flowing. We understand that if we don’t cooperate generations, Culture and economic growth present closely on different levels, the municipality We are confident in our resources and our will not be able to create a cohesive cultural  cultural experiences can help restore abilities. Our self-sufficiency is our comfort Cooperation as a challenge our second challenge, but this will in- A challenge is an opportunity and balance people’s mental and physi- spire us to prove that culture can be experience that can appeal to Jūrmala’s di- zone. We do, however, realise that we will We have already mentioned that we see verse residents and simultaneously attract One might ask why a city with challenges cal health, the unifying platform on which a uni- have to shed this mentality in order to be able ourselves as an inherently confident and visitors and professionals to the city. We like this should become the European Capi-  culture is a way to open the city up to to deliver a meaningful and sustainable ECoC self-sufficient city, but also that we are will- ted society can be built. This challenge will strive to be open to closer and more tal of Culture. It is because we know how new connections that will allow us to programme. We look forward to the challenge ing to change. To be frank, we have become will motivate us to prove to ourselves strategic cooperation in all areas of the to turn these challenges into opportunities. introduce ourselves to Europe and to of replacing our self-sufficiency and isolation used to people knowing who we are. We and to other cities that cooperation is city’s life – culture, arts and the economy. Each challenge is a way in which Jūrmala the world, and in return see influences with new structures for co-creation and co- have, however, realised that we want to re- instrumental in achieving cultural and can lead the way: to be an example of from Europe and the world in our city. It operation. We will set out to prove that co­ identify ourselves and put Jūrmala firmly on economic goals. a city where culture unites the popula­ allows us to envision a future together operation is healing, that cooperation can the map as a cultural destination, and not Sustainable development tion; to be an example of a city where in these uncertain times. foster a rich culture and that cooperation just be known as a European health des- culture can help people find mental and as a challenge ECoC is a unique opportunity for Jūrmala . tination. physical equilibrium; to be an example can heal the environment to change: We are quite literally a city in a forest. We of a city where development has struck to find a new place for itself As Jūrmala has long been an independent Our third challenge is related to sus- don’t think that there are many other cit- a balance between preserving natural in Latvian and European culture and to and self-sufficient city, we have grown ac- tainable development, which inclu- Health as a challenge ies in Europe that can boast of having four and cultural values. forge new collaborations and partner­ customed to solving our own problems by des creating a targeted action plan protected natural areas on their territory. ships on a regional, national and Euro­ Is our self-assured focus on health justi- using our own resources and advice. While for the ECoC year to help draw at- Incorporating them into the city’s cultural We are already changing, all the while keeping pean level. We will also take this oppor­ fied? We definitely think it is! The pursuit this has long been a source of strength tention to climate change and the life could prove to be an unforgettable ex- our eyes on the ECoC title. In recognition of tunity to show the world our experience of wellness weaves through the history of for us, it is also our weakness. Although ways in which it affects us directly. perience for residents and visitors alike. It is the value of cooperation, we, self-sufficient and solutions, while looking for new ap­ Jūrmala. A health resort developed here, Jūrmala has 20 twinning cities in different crucial, however, that before we venture out Jūrmala, are inviting our neighbouring coun- proaches to providing quality of life and into nature to make use of the opportunities ties Tukums and Talsi to join us in this bid. culture after the pandemic.  2 3 Q2 Does your city plan to involve its surrounding area? Explain this choice.

DUNDAGA

Jūrmala’s geographical location in the centre Gulf of Rīga and northern Kurzeme. Our We are connected to Tukums by one of Lat- of Latvia is significant. Our city is close to combined area is 5,305 km2 and the popu- via’s oldest railway lines, which will be 150 ROJA the capital Rīga, and lies between Rīga and lation is almost 140,000. This represents years old in 2027. We want to find ways the counties in Kurzeme, Latvia’s western- around 8.2 % of Latvia’s total territory and in which to turn railway stations and train most region. To the north–west, Jūrmala is around 7.3 % of the entire population. carriages into spaces for art and culture as connected to Kurzeme’s cultural heritage via a way to highlight environmentally friendly Jūrmala is only about 25 km from Rīga. Al- a number of transport routes: the railway, transport. We want to tackle this creative most a third of Latvia’s population lives in waterways, highways and bicycle paths. challenge that bringing culture to a bus- Rīga, so having and maintaining coopera- On a more spiritual level, we are connected tling environment poses and find ways to TALSI tion links to the capital is particularly impor- via routes created by history, culture and entertain the steady stream of people by tant. To this end, we have initiated talks people’s stories. These are our “arteries’’ and involving citizens, artists and experts from with Rīga municipality on how to develop our inspiration for the concept of our ECoC different fields. cultural projects with the aim to engage 2027 programme – ARTeries. Being the con- residents and welcome international visi-  We are united by ecotourism. Cy- necting link is Jūrmala’s strength and creates tors together. cling and hiking routes for active tourism The Gulf of Riga a lot of opportunities, but we are mindful of connect Rīga, Jūrmala, as well as Talsi and the challenges this role can bring.  We are united by common historical Tukums counties to Europe. The EuroVelo roots. Jūrmala was born from a number of The seven county municipalities in the and Baltic Coastal Hiking routes run along small fishing villages uniting and is today Kurzeme region – Tukums, Engure, the entire north–western coast of Kurzeme the largest resort town in Latvia. Similar vil- ENGURE Jaunpils, Kandava, Talsi, Roja and Dun­ (more than 160 km of the total 500 km JŪRMALA Rīga lages still remain in Talsi and Tukums coun- TUKUMS daga – are our partners in the Jūrmala length of the Latvian sea border). The ties, scattered along the coast of the Gulf of ECoC application. Due to an administra- sandy beach all along the coast is also very Rīga that stretches to the north–west from KANDAVA tive–territorial reform on 1 July 2021 these popular in the summer, and has stimulat- Jūrmala. You can still find old fishermen’s counties will merge into two – Tukums and ed the development of a rich cultural life farmsteads here and culturally significant Talsi. Going forward, we will be referring throughout the region. traditions like the Fishermen’s Festival are to this new territorial division in our appli­ still alive. Residents continue to smoke the  cation. We are united by two unique mino- fish from their first catch of the day and the rities. The history of two minority groups JAUNPILS Together with Jūrmala, the new counties smoky flavours are unique to this coastal are intertwined with the story of the Lat- who have Finno–Ugric roots.  We are united by the cover the entire north–western coast of the region. vian people – the Roma and the Livs, The Roma have historically lived in fight against climate change. Jūrmala, Tukums and Talsi, while the We definitely feel the effects of climate Livs have lived in coastal fishing villages in change here on the Baltic Sea coast – Talsi and Tukums counties. We see these coastal erosion causes us to lose around minorities and their culture and traditions 5–10 ha of our natural beaches, foreshores in Engure, and the outdoor area at Engure as a resource that we want to integrate into and coastal dunes every year. We share beach, the Mērsrags open–air stage and the our ECoC programme in a creative way so the challenge of preserving our unique new open–air stage in Roja. We have cre- as to promote cooperation within the coun- protected dune biotopes and the wealth ated and are continuing to build an infra- ties and the population as a whole. of the flora and fauna in our national na- structure for bringing professional art into ture parks, reserves and trails. Our natural  We are united by our love of folk the region, for example through the Pedvāle heritage is important and unique in Europe. culture. Locals of all ages sing, dance, Art Park, which hosts international art paint, play and work with crafts, gardening The Ķemeri National Park, the Slītere Na- workshops, and, since 2020, also an artist tional Park, the Abava Valley and the Stikli and forestry. There are 14 art and music residency. schools in the region that our children and Mires Nature Reserve constitute some of youth attend, and we have a very diverse  We are united by our common chal- the most significant natural treasures on the north–west coast of the Gulf of Rīga. range of activities, which is reflected in the lenges. Our cooperation partners are as 337 amateur groups in our region. diverse as Jūrmala itself is with its differ-  We are united by a desire to live in ent neighbourhoods. Our partner coun-  We are united by our experience of a clean, healthy environment and to ties are currently facing a big challenge as cooperation. So far, we have success- preserve it for future generations. We fully implemented several EU projects to several municipalities will merge following plan to involve children and youth in our restore architectural monuments and cre- the 2021 administrative–territorial reform. ECoC programme and activities through a ate nature and cultural tourism services This is not something that the population network of 58 educational institutions (in- along the west coast of the Gulf of Rīga supports unanimously. The Latvian mental- cluding 4 vocational schools). It is the next together. Among the joint projects that we ity means wanting to be independent, dif- generation that will keep our cultural story have implemented in Jūrmala, Tukums and ferent, and self–sufficient! Just as Jūrmala and our values alive beyond the ECoC year. Talsi counties are several restoration proj- wants to unite its citizens, so the new Talsi We see it as our job to give children and ects: the Melluži open–air stage, the Ķemeri and Tukums counties are striving to unify young people in our towns and counties water tower, Šlokenbeka Manor, the park and engage their citizens in all areas of so- the opportunity to be engaged and to gain adjacent to the Latvian Maritime Academy ciety. experience. 

4 5 A cultural city for children Acting and the theatre are an important The Home Café Days movement has de- and youth outlet for locals to express themselves ar- veloped over the last few years to honour Children and youth are the future of tistically. The Jūrmala Performing Arts the region’s culinary heritage and hospital- Q3 ity. During these days, residents open up Explain briefly the overall cultural profile of your city. Jūrmala. One of our sustainable develop- Theater is one of the leading amateur theatres in Latvia and stages an average their homes to guests and offer traditional ment projects, Dubulti Culture Quarter dishes made from local produce. Local Kan- was created in 2018 with them in mind, of 70 productions a year. The Jūrmala stages an av- dava acorn coffee is a traditional delicacy which is made up of the Jūrmala Music Theatre’s Puppet Theatre erage of 10 performances per year. There that has been revived through the Home School, the Jūrmala Art School and Jūrmala are two youth theatre studios and several Café Days! Central Library. The modern Dubulti Con­ Jūrmala is mainly associated with beaches, world-famous organist Iveta Apkalna plays around ten exhibitions by both Latvian and theatre groups in the city’s schools and cert Hall in the Jūrmala Music School is the Tukums county has been an important pine forests, peace, rest and fresh air. It her instrument on the beach at Dzintari. international artists annually. The museum the Kauguri Culture Centre’s youth theatre first venue for many future musicians. The filming location for decades. Along with the does, however, also play an important role This concert attracts more and more people also regularly displays the exhibitions that studio Experiments has garnered interna- school has also hosted the International large number of Latvian feature films that in Latvian cultural life. It is a city of art, mu- every year who listen both on land, as well have represented Latvia at the Venice Bien- tional success. sic and inspiration. Historically, it is a city as from yachts anchored out at sea. nale. Since 2017, the museum has organ- Academic Music Competition Jūrmala for have been shot there, Tukums is increas- ingly attracting the attention of the inter- where Latvian cultural legends have come ised the international sea themed biennial more than 20 years – it is the only competi- Regional programme – from national film industry. Cinevilla Studio is an to replenish their creative energy. Rainis A host of world-class musicians have Marīna. For several years now, the Bulduri tion in Latvia where young pianists can per- traditional to contemporary art important filming location that also hosts and Aspazija, the most significant Latvian taken the stage at the Dzintari Con- Exhibition House, a branch of the Jūrmala form together with an orchestra. The exhi- Our regional partners’ cultural life is also educational events and festivals, whereas poets of the 20th century, lived in Jūrmala. cert Hall, including opera singers City Museum, has stood out with its “un- bition hall at the Jūrmala Art School favours Elīna rich and diverse. It is characterised by ama- the RojaL Film Festival offers a broad film, Emīls Dārziņš composed the “Melancholic derground” exhibitions, the most significant exhibitions by children’s book illustrators, Garanča, Kristīne Opolais, and teur artists, exhibitions by professional art- art and music programme in Roja every year. Waltz”, a classical Latvian masterpiece, in Aleksandrs Antonenko, accordionist of which is the interdisciplinary exhibition which have included works by renowned ists, concerts and poetry days. The region’s Jūrmala, and it is also the birthplace of the Kseniya Sidorova, as well as the best “Yes/No Independence”. Latvian illustrators Gundega Muzikante and thematic events (historical, seasonal or The North Kurzeme coastline acts as the free-thinking rock group Menuets in 1968, Latvian and international symphony Gita Treice. The Jūrmala Central Library and outer border of both counties. The most The Jūrmala City Museum has the only ex- national celebrations), festivals (cinema, who were later banned during the Soviet orchestras directed by world-renowned the Children’s Library in Dubulti organise important festivals and events in the vil- hibition in Latvia that is dedicated to the music, nature) and town festivals attract era. The first Baltic art exhibition took place conductors such as Mariss Jansons, engaging meetings and interesting conver- lages along the coast revolve around the culture and history of resort towns. This visitors from Latvia and abroad. The events in 1904 in Majori, which is now the centre Ainārs Rubiķis, Zubin Mehta, Gidon sations with writers. sea and the light. Both elements are his- has made it a popular destination for both are busy and diverse, offering something of Jūrmala. During the Soviet era, Jūrmala Kremer, Vello Pähn and many others. for every preference. torically vital to local life – the sea, although was a hub for art, music and literature resi- Latvian and international tourists. The The night-time adventure In The World of treacherous, has sustained these commu- dencies that gathered artists not only from Jūrmala Open-Air Museum is also worth Fairy Tales is a unique event for children One of the oldest traditions in Talsi is the nities, and the light has guided fishermen the Soviet Union, but also from Vietnam, mentioning. It annually hosts traditional and young people that gives them the op- Dižmāra annual fair that dates back to the and sailors to safety throughout the years. Alongside the Dzintari Concert Hall pro- Germany, France and the USA, among oth- midsummer festivities and introduces visi- portunity to experience and participate in 19th century. The fair gathers many traders For over six years, all villages from Engure gramme, visitors appreciate the open-air er countries. Today, Jūrmala hosts annual tors to Jūrmala’s fishing history. art and music at a time when they would and local artisans. The Rose Festival flo- to Lapmežciems have participated in the jazz concerts in Horn’s Garden every sum- world-class music festivals, and has made usually be in bed. The expedition takes ral show was established in neighbouring international Ancient Lights festival, mer, whereas in the winter, jazz fans head Unique and remarkable a name for itself in the film world because place in the Dzintari Forest Park and at- Tukums in 2008 and has since become a where bonfires are lit on both sides of the to the Jazz Club in the Jūrmala Culture of the number of internationally acclaimed architecture tracts up to 8,000 visitors. beloved tradition. The largest wreath made Baltic Sea coast. This shows the coastal Centre. th th films that have been shot here: “Blizzard Jūrmala is home to unique 19 and 20 out of living roses in the world is woven at communities’ unity and recalls their com- century wooden buildings, most of which Enjoying and co-creating of Souls”, “ The Pagan King”, “Dangerous The open-air stage in Melluži is more the festival in honour of locals’ rose-grow- mon history and cultural heritage. Tradi- are summer houses built in the Art Nou- culture Summer”, “The Mover” as well as many than 90 years old and hosts an accessible ing and gardening traditions. tional Sea or Fishermen’s Festivals are veau and National Romantic style. We call others. programme of light summer music for Jūrmala hosts on average around 800 large held in honour of ancestors and the young- One of the most important centres is both adults and children. Balls, theatre per- ourselves a city of “lace architecture” and small events a year. Before the pan- er generations that still continue to fish. the Pedvāle Art Park in Sabile that has Music in open-air concert venues formances and musical autumn fairs also because the decorative carvings on the fa- demic, the biggest and most popular annual There are no coastal households that do 30 years of experience of hosting inter- Today, it is the Dzintari Concert Hall that take place on this newly renovated stage. cades of our wooden houses resemble fine events in Jūrmala were the Opening Cel­ not have a relationship with the sea, which carries on Jūrmala’s almost century old mu- lacework. The architecture in Jūrmala makes ebration of the Jūrmala resort season, national sculpture symposia. Sabile has is why the festival has been an annual sical tradition. It is included in the Latvian Art in museums and public spaces up a significant part of Latvia’s unique the Jomas iela street festival and the hosted the Sabile Wine Festival every sum- event since time immemorial. Even today, mer since 1999. This festival celebrates the many locals are involved in fish processing, Culture Canon and is one of the largest Art Station Dubulti is the only contempo- Art Nouveau heritage, a style which the Kauguri Festival. Each of them draws be- Sabile Wine Hill, which is the most remote and open-air concert halls in the Baltic States. rary art space in Europe that is located in- craftsmen have also been able to incorpo- tween 20,000 and 40,000 visitors. World- smoked fish is a trademark of these grape plantation in northern Europe. .  It is a unique place where the distant cries side a working railway station. This unique rate into the woodwork itself. The geom- famous musicians have performed at these coastal villages’ culinary heritage of seagulls and the sound of waves crash- exhibition and event platform is housed in etry of Art Nouveau decoration, as well as festivals, such as Suzi Quatro, legendary ing beyond the dunes filter through during a modernist building from the 1970s that the floral shapes and motifs found in the British rock band Smokie, and many local concerts. Dzintari Concert Hall organises resembles a surging wave. One of the more romantic décor, give the resort’s wooden favourites. In total, the city annually at- around 150 high-quality events a year, notable exhibitions that has been held here buildings an unexpected lightness. A sig- tracts over 400,000 visitors (from Jūrmala, which attract 150,000 visitors from was “The Sensorium”, which was a special nificant number of wooden buildings can elsewhere in Latvia, and from abroad) to its Latvia and abroad. The most important project of the Rīga International Biennial of be found on the list of 390 architectural cultural venues and events. As a reference, events at the Dzintari Concert Hall include Contemporary Art (RIBOCA1). It was cre- monuments in Jūrmala, 105 of which are the city itself has 57,000 inhabitants. the Jūrmala Festival in the summer and the ated by a group of four artists under the of national significance and 250 of local Our residents are actively engaged in the Christmas Festival at the end of the year, direction of Danish curator Solvej Helweg significance. city’s cultural life – around 1,300 children the Jūrmala Jazz festival, Ballet Stars in Ovesen. The international contemporary Literary heritage and continuity attend the art and music schools, while Jūrmala, the Kremerata Baltica festival, the art exhibition “Location/ Dislocation. Be- adults of all ages are involved in 25 amateur international symphony orchestra festival tween Remembering and Forgetting” and Jūrmala is the home of two towering fig- artistic groups. Neighbourhood resident as- Rīga-Jurmala, and the Hans Gabor Belve- virtual reality artist Gints Gabrāns’ exhibi- ures of Latvian literature: poets Rainis and sociations, minority cultural associations dere Competition for young opera singers. tion “The Grand Opening of the Finale” have Aspazija. There are even two museums and church congregations increasingly take One of the concert hall’s newest traditions also been held here. Art Station Dubulti dedicated to them – The Rainis and As­ an initiative in cultural life. Local residents is the International Baltic Sea Choir Com- hosts annual contemporary prose readings pazija Summer House and the House of also freely join in various participatory ac- petition, created by the Jūrmala City Council where each visitor to the station can con- Aspazija. The poetry days tradition is sus- tivities, like lighting a candle in the in cooperation with the Baltic Choir Asso- tribute to a collaborative literary work. tained through a cooperation with the Lat- Way of ciation. 41 choirs from 14 countries have vian Writers’ Union and multiple new works Light, a 30 km long candlelit way along the taken part in this competition. A new fes- The Jūrmala City Museum is another of have been created at the Jūrmala Writers’ main street in Jūrmala on the Proclamation tival tradition is the Sunrise Concert, where the city’s exhibition centres and organises House because of this cooperation. Day of the Republic of Latvia.

6 7 Q4 Explain the concept of the programme which would be launched Contribution to the long-term strategy if the city is designated as European Capital of Culture.

We highlighted physical and mental health and the important role that culture plays in our lives to substantiate our reasons for applying to ECoC (Q1). We also outlined the challenges we would face when setting cultural Describe the cultural strategy that is in place in your city processes in motion in a way that will benefit both health and the environment. Here, our city has an advan- at the time of the application, including the plans for sustaining tage because of its specific geographic location. Q5 Jūrmala is located very centrally in Latvia and stretches along the coast in a more than 20 km long life the cultural activities beyond the year of the title? ARTery. Our unique layout gives us advantages that other cities don’t have. Five natural ARTeries pass through the city: the Lielupe River, the railway, the motorway, a cycle path and the coast. These ARTeries can be practical – they connect Jūrmala with Rīga, Talsi, Tukums and counties further away. On a larger scale, they stretch outward connecting Latvia with Europe, and Europe with the world. Q7 The ARTeries can also be more conceptual – they connect us to our past, to culture, art and How is the European Capital of Culture action included in this strategy? nature, they ensure communication and connect diverse communities. Life along the ARTeries is constantly coursing. The ARTeries give us our identity and connect us to our past. They provide us with oxygen and fresh influences from the outside world. Their unique pulsation is responsible for the rhythm of the city’s cultural life, and their pace influences how we work, every new idea and how the city grows and progresses. Jūrmala has never been a city with a sig-  Diversity – developing high quality ing through. The development strategy sets If we see culture as our city’s invigorating nificant industry, neither is it a transport cultural activities in a systematic way, out three objectives envisioning that in hub or a centre for education. Jūrmala is a by and for different population groups 2030 Jūrmala will be: lifeblood, then the ARTeries that radiate resort town, whose economic development at a local, national and international outwards, that weave through every part 1) An internationally recognised and is shaped by health and leisure tourism level. of our city, provide us with the structure modern seaside resort and the most and, of course, by culture. Culture weaves around which to base our ECoC 2027  Cultural heritage – preserving and popular resort town in the Baltic Sea throughout Jūrmala’s policy planning docu- programme. promoting cultural heritage, and inter- region, ments at all levels in acknowledgement of preting it in a contemporary way. With our programme, we will convey to Europe that our ARTeries are the integral role that it plays in the city’s life. 2) A place in the Baltic region where unique, that they provide us with a way in which we can communicate our  Cooperation – fostering cooperation the East and West can meet and identity as a health resort, demonstrate how we co-create, and show our To recognise the ways in which culture has between the people involved in devel- network, Lielupe environmental consciousness. Given that culture sustains the reciprocal rela- contributed to developing Jūrmala, the oping the cultural sector. 3) A worthwhile and rewarding place to tionship between humans and nature, making even more use of the ARTeries Jūrmala City Cultural Development Plan Highway  Accessibility – developing a geo- live and vacation as well as a centre 2017–2020 was drafted and approved on than we are now gives us something to strive towards. graphically balanced cultural infrastruc- for culture and sports. Railway 12 January 2017. On 29 October 2020, We have identified three main strands in our programme, that will ture and promoting accessibility. three Pulses, the plan was extended until 31 December The development strategy identifies culture Bicycle lane help us implement our concept. The Pulses will help us address the challenges that we 2022. The new Jūrmala City Cultural Many of the activities in the current cul­ to be a valuable part of the following areas Sea identified in Q1.  Development Plan 2023–2029 is being tural development plan are long-term that are important to the city’s develop- developed at the same time as the ECoC and will continue to be implemented ment: application. It is expected that the plan will and included in the new Cultural De­  building the city’s image (prestige), – a response to the – a response to Environmental Pulse – a respon­ be adopted in early 2022. velopment Plan 2023–2029. Work- Health Pulse Co-creation Pulse  communicating the city’s international challenge of physical and mental the challenge of local and interna­ se to the challenge of sustainable ing on the ECoC application and the next The aim of the cultural development plan is identity, health. tional cooperation. development. cultural development plan simultaneously to highlight Jūrmala’ unique nature as a  ensuring quality in the living space (a Inactivity affects both physical and Jūrmala is a geographically fragmen- We are proud of our resort culture and ensures that the ideas, priorities and proj- resort town, to create a range of cultural diverse range of cultural events for all mental health, something that has ted city that together with its partner history, but in order for this part of our ects included in the ECoC application will events and high-quality cultural tourism audiences, an active social life, oppor- become increasingly apparent during counties covers a large area of the Bal- identity to have a sustainable future, also be included in the city’s new plan. This activities for both visitors and residents tunities for lifelong learning), the Covid-19 pandemic. What acti- tic Sea coast. Jūrmala is also a multi- we have to respect our natural resour- will ensure the longevity of cultural events. ces. The four beautiful seasons that and to provide quality in the living space ve lifestyle habits can do for physical cultural city. People from different eth- The new cultural development plan will  creating a high-quality urban environ- are characteristic of Northern Europe through creative neighbourhoods and health, art can do for mental health nic backgrounds have not only found strengthen the horizontal and collaborative ment (outdoor sculptures and the pres- give Jūrmala a distinct natural rhythm. by making culture accessible. and adding nature into the mix creates a home here, but have found a variety ervation of cultural heritage), Each season brings different cultural nature of culture and its role in driving the a winning formula. Organising high- of ways in which to participate in the This aligns with the aim outlined in our  developing the resort and supporting opportunities, but inviting the broader city’s development. The plan will emphasise ECoC application: to become an example quality cultural events in nature will city’s life. The foundation for coope- public out into nature carries with it a cooperation and networking on a national entrepreneurship (developing crafts), create a space for people to experien- ration is to involve as many residents serious responsibility to protect and of a Europe where culture is the founda­ and international level.  promoting public health. ce serenity within and find harmony as possible on a local, neighbourhood care for our natural resources. Art is a tion for unity, mental and physical har­ between themselves and their sur- level, and from there also on a regional language through which we will address mony, and where urban development is The Jūrmala City Development Strategy Culture is included in strategic policy plan- roundings. Choosing unconventional level. To cooperate we need to reach many climate-related issues including in balance with preserving natural and for 2010–2030 (adopted on 16 Decem- ning documents, as well as in action plans, venues will open people’s minds and out and encourage people to co-create conserving biodiversity, promoting sus- cultural heritage. ber 2010) reflects the meaningful role that where significant funding has been allo- help them see the wealth of their in- and be creative. Co-creation for us can culture plays in promoting citizens’ sense cated for cultural development. As culture tainable mobility, reducing household The cultural development plan outlines the ner resources. We want cultural life in mean bringing culture, science and the of belonging, and the extent to which it is an important factor in developing the waste, and using our natural resources following courses of action: Jūrmala to develop in a direction where tech field together to see what new in- with care. Cultural experiences will help contributes to the city’s competitiveness. city’s and the resort’s image, and as some- it is increasingly accessible, awe-inspi- terdisciplinary objects and events can shape sustainable habits in a thought-  Creativity – strengthening the unique The strategy wants to promote the idea thing that creates quality living space, it ring and environmentally friendly. emerge where they intersect. ful and thought-provoking way. features of neighbourhoods and en- that anyone can feel like they’re a local in has also been included in the Jūrmala City couraging citizen engagement. Jūrmala, whether they live here, or are pass- Development Programme 2014–2020 8 9 (approved on 7 November 2013, and extended until 31 December 2022). In 2021, work started on the new Describe the city’s plans to strengthen the capacity of the cultural and Jūrmala City Development Programme 2023–2029. The new programme will focus on developing culture in creative sectors, including through the development of long term links Q6 the following directions: between these sectors and the economic and social sectors in your city.  To create access to good quality and diverse cultural and sporting activities for everyone,  To promote international competitiveness and ex- cellence in culture, cultural heritage and sports,  To develop and make efficient use of cultural and sports infrastructure. Jūrmala and its partnering municipalities do that engage people in events and others. tion between participants involved in deve- The cultural development plan addresses several of the not have a broad representation of creati- All of them are crucial to making our cultural challenges identified in the ECoC application (Q1), and loping the cultural sphere”. This emphasises ve industries. Our creative minds prefer to life and the ECoC programme exceptional. the priorities outlined in it correspond to the main direc- the need to strengthen cooperation at all take advantage of the proximity to Rīga tions and objectives of the ECoC application. The table levels and supports training for cultural and the opportunities that are available to below shows the relationship between the Jūrmala City operators. them there. Jūrmala has not created many Cultural Development Plan and the ECoC application.  Building local cooperation strong links to professional networks inter- Our ECoC targets are broader. They requi- nationally and only infrequently makes use platforms re even more knowledge, skills and open- of them. Our goal is to create a city whe- We will be driving this process in the run- mindedness. In preparation for the ECoC re cultural operators not only want to live, up to the ECoC year so that we can get to year, we will develop a detailed capacity- but also to work. This will mean reaching know people and make introductions. We building programme – the Brain ARTery, out to engage people, to develop world- will create platforms that facilitate me- with a special focus on strengthening inter- Courses of action class ideas and projects with them, and ECoC application ECoC application etings, help people generate new ideas and national project management skills: 1) we in the cultural to bring these ideas to fruition. It will be a ultimately to implement them. objectives strands will find out what knowledge and skills our development plan gradual process. We want to make use of people lack in order to be able to achieve the opportunities that the ECoC will bring to excellence, and how to best structure the Creativity: to strengthen To highlight culture as the key to creating  The Co-creation Pulse directly addresses this cul- strengthen the cultural and creative sectors Cultural planning training. We will regularly follow up on this, neighbourhoods’ unique na- a united city. To see culture as a catalyst tural policy goal by strengthening the unique nature and to promote their economic contribution Culture unites neighbours in various parts so that our activities align with real needs ture and encourage citizen en- for neighbourhoods and citizens to take of various neighbourhoods and by encouraging citi- and cooperation with other sectors, both of Jūrmala. It encourages them to get in- and with what is possible technologically; gagement. an active role in the city’s life and decision- zens to get involved in cultural processes (e.g. Com- here at home and internationally. volved in neighbourhood regeneration making, which gives new life to true democ- munity Spirit, Being Neighbours). 2) we will organise open training series and Accessibility: to develop a and increase quality of life locally. Cultural racy based on the values of respect and workshops on practical, legal, theoretical, geographically balanced cul-  The Environmental Pulse will provide equal ac- planning is a collaboration between three and methodological issues. These will take tural infrastructure and pro- solidarity. cess to cultural events, establish new venues and How to get there? forces: the municipal administration, local mote accessibility. organise events in different neighbourhoods of the citizens and the cultural sector. This met- place both in person and online. We will city (e.g. Nature as a Stage, Station Renaissance). hod was successfully utilised in Denmark cover a wide range of issues such as vo- in Aarhus’ ECoC programme in 2017. We lunteering, design thinking, crowdfunding, to develop cultural To organise cultural activities that promote  creates opportunities for Diversity: The Co-creation Pulse Cultural mapping will implement it in Jūrmala and in our part- project management, bookkeeping. These activities in a systematic way inclusion and equality between different different groups of people to be able to participate in ner municipalities as well, in cooperation events will also address how to organise for different target groups at people, creating a more united and tolerant creating and enjoying cultural activities (e.g. Steps in Identifying cultural resources and their po- with the Danish Cultural Institute, who is sustainable events, how to make culture a local, national and interna- world. the Sand, Community Spirit, Art!ficial). tential locally is an important step for fos- currently the lead partner in the EU Inter- accessible, and how to integrate events tional level with a focus on tering local and international cooperation To organise cultural experiences that help  The Environmental Pulse envisions more physi- reg Baltic Sea Region programme’s project quality. in culture and the creative industries. In from different sectors. Most of these ses- people regain their mental and physical bal- cally accessible venues and a unique, high quality, preparing this application and developing UrbCulturalPlanning. sions will be available online to anyone in- ance. international cultural experience (e.g. All the Railway the contents of the programme we orga- terested; 3) we will organise individual ses- is a Stage, Nature as a Stage, Pro-Nature, Pro-Art). We will develop guidelines for cultural nised joint discussions between experts events together that 1) are environmen- sions to give advice and training to project  The Health Pulse highlights art and participation in and creatives from different sectors. The- tally friendly; 2) make them accessible to a applicants, helping to develop and shape cultural activities as a way for people to reinvigorate se discussions acted as an important step wide range of people, including people with even the craziest idea into a viable project. and improve themselves with creativity (e.g. Slow- towards creating closer intersectoral coope- different types of disabilities, seniors, low- Down Festival, Green Arteries, Bon Voyage). ration at a local level, and this cooperation income people; 3) will provide the opportu- will continue in the future. Cultural heritage: to pre- To foster a culture that pays attention to  The Environmental Pulse highlights the reciproc- nity to combine fields that might not seem International networking serve, and promote cultural the impact that modern life has on natural ity between culture and nature and the importance Our regional cultural experts and creatives compatible, like sports and culture. Toge- We have identified a lack of international ther, we will work to ensure that all ECoC heritage, and to interpret it in heritage and human health, in this way tak- of creating urban environments that use natural are a resource. Following the administrati- networking as one of our main obstacles. event organisers adhere to these principles a contemporary way. ing responsibility for the consequences of resources in a balanced way. It highlights humans’ ve-territorial reform in 2021, cultural ope- We will overcome this by involving cultural and also introduce our partners to these climate change for future generations. responsibility to preserve our natural resources rators from the newly formed counties will operators and creatives from Jūrmala and guidelines. (e.g. “lace architecture”, Pro-Nature, Pro-Art, Think have to learn to cooperate and to plan cul- our partner municipalities in international Again, Use Again). tural events together. cooperation projects and networks. We will Cooperation: to foster co- To view culture as a way in which to open  The Co-creation Pulse highlights the importance We are, however, also looking more broadly. Training organise targeted activities for people to be operation between the people the city up to new relationships, to pre- of collaboration to being able to create a high-quality It’s not just creatives and cultural operators One of the obstacles to developing the able to build lasting professional connecti- involved in developing the cul- sent ourselves to Europe and to the world, cultural experience (e.g. Art!ficial, Design Dubulti). who stimulate local culture, but also the en- cultural sector’s capacity is a lack of prac- ons. This will include organising exchanges tural sphere. and to see influences from Europe and the trepreneurs who organise events, individual tical knowledge and cooperation. To ad- with artist residencies, touring exhibitions, world in our city. To appreciate culture as a proprietors who own historic buildings, local dress this, one of the courses of action in musicians, dancers, theatre exchange pro- way in which to envision the future together administrations and politicians who make Jūrmala’s city cultural development plan is jects, concerts, seminars and conferences in these uncertain times. decisions about the city’s cultural life, NGOs “Cooperation in Jūrmala: fostering coopera- (for more, see Q11, Q16). 

10 11 If your city is awarded the title of European Capital of Culture, Q8 what do you think would be the long-term cultural, social and economic impact on the city (including in terms of urban development)?

When planning the ECoC programme, we imagined what we on natural heritage and health. In this way culture can make would like Jūrmala to look like in 2028, after the programme. us take responsibility for the consequences of climate change We want to set an example for Europe: an example of a city for future generations. We see culture as a way to open the where culture provides the foundation for unity, for impro­ city up to new partnerships and as a way to present our­ ving citizens’ mental and physical health and for balancing selves to Europe and to the world. In reverse, culture also urban development with preserving natural and cultural brings influences from Europe and the world in our city so heritage. As we wrote in Q1, we see culture as being the key that we can envision the future together. to building a united city and as a means of promoting inclusion We planned the programme and evaluated the cultural, social and equality between diverse people. We see how culture can and economic impact and also the effect on urban develop- help people regain a sense of mental and physical balance, and ment that the programme’s main strands, the Pulses, would draw attention to the impact that our modern way of life has have, according to these objectives.

Health Pulse Co-creation Pulse Environmental Pulse  New resort-related businesses  More events take place thanks to in-  More visitors are attracted to the city emerge in the city, which creates ternal and external cooperation, which thanks to open-air cultural activities. new jobs. includes international events. This The visitors use various services, which  The cooperation between culture  Citizens and local artists are increas-  Jūrmala becomes known as a place  By becoming a centre for re- brings more visitors to the city who in turn contributes to the economy. and sports strengthens, which ingly involved in cultural events, not for environmentally friendly cultural sort-oriented tourism expertise, use companies’ services and thus con-  Deviating from traditional cultural ven- opens up the possibility of incor- only as participants but also as co- events: a new type of event devel- Jūrmala attracts EU funding to tribute to the economy. ues and forms reduces the impact of porating elements of sports into creators, making cultural activities ops – small, remote and environmen- develop new projects and pass  More active and creative entrepre- seasonality on tourism and on busi- cultural events and vice versa. more relevant to a wider range of tally friendly; events that are a process on experience to other resort neurship, open cooperation with the ness activities. people. rather than a one-off; events that al-  Combining sports, an active life- towns. municipality and a creative environ-  New venues and outdoor events at- style and cultural events helps  Cultural events become more popular, low their audiences to enjoy nature ment encourages an influx of new and culture in all seasons.  The city hosts European and tract new businesses to the city. involve more people into cultural which in turn attracts both well-known global sporting events and residents and labour. life, including youth. artists and a broader audience.  Cultural events in unexpected places health conferences, which at-  Cooperation with the creative indus- broaden the understanding of the cul-  Cultural activities embody a  Searching for new cultural expressions tracts new visitors and contrib- tries encourages new businesses to “culture without additives” prin- cultivates international cooperation in ture infrastructure. utes positively to the economy. develop, which in turn creates new ciple meaning they are environ- the culture field, and new cultural di-  Cultural events organised in other companies and jobs. mentally friendly, healthy and rections emerge that are connected to places than the classic venues provide  Participating in projects by the EU and adapted to the interests of the these new support instruments. an opportunity to engage people who ECONOMIC IMPACT other funds brings additional revenue population rather than artificially  do not usually attend professional for implementing ideas, which contrib-

CULTURAL IMPACT CULTURAL Creative activities create an image of a created. city that is open to international con- cultural events. utes to the city’s budget. temporary arts events.  Active recreation areas and na-  Openly cooperating with citizens en-  As commuter habits change, the mu- ture trails are established in dif- sures that urban environments and in- nicipality builds infrastructure to en-  Cultural events in unconventional  Open collaboration with citizens al-  Accessible cultural activities outdoors ferent neighbourhoods to pro- frastructure develop in a way that cor- courage the use of sustainable trans- places make life more interesting, lows the municipality to respond to are beneficial for individuals’ mental mote an active lifestyle. These responds to the interests of citizens in portation (bicycle lanes, bicycle park- promote wellbeing and reduce de- the population’s social needs in a and physical health. are all made accessible to dif- various neighbourhoods and sectors, ing, electric car charging stations). pression. timely manner.  Cultural events outside the city centre ferent groups including seniors, and ensures that they’re adapted to  The way in which urban areas and na-  There’s a growing awareness of  People’s sense of belonging to the city make them more accessible to dif- families with children and people people with different abilities. ture parks are used is defined and ap- the importance of maintaining a increases. ferent population groups, which pro- with mobility, hearing and visual  Thanks to external cooperation, the propriately communicated to residents impairments. healthy, active lifestyle to improv-  Cultural events in different neighbour- motes inclusion and integration into city adopts best practices in modern and visitors in order to keep a balance  The infrastructure in the city urban planning. between nature and the urban envi- ing quality of life. hoods encourage families to come city life. (parking lots, cycle paths, bike ronment, between the interests of per-  Health events help different together and encourages neighbour-  Unexpected, contemporary cultural  Cultural events in unconventional racks, sports equipment rental manent residents with those of tour- population groups feel included hood unity, which in turn inspires resi- events in non-traditional venues at- places help restore neglected areas of places) enables residents and ists as well as balance the interests of socially. dents to participate in their city’s life. tract young people, including at-risk the city. visitors to be healthy and active different population groups.  More people adopt a healthy, ac-  Cultural events that are closer to youth.  Cultural events in different areas help on foot, on bicycles and scoot-  Cultural events in unexpected loca- tive lifestyle, which leads to better people, more accessible and free of ers, or even on skis. showcase the distinctive character of the city’s various neighbourhoods. tions complement and enhance the SOCIAL IMPACT public health overall. charge encourage different popula- cultural and tourism infrastructure.  Sports brings neighbourhoods tion groups to get involved and will strengthen family ties. URBAN ENVIORNMENT  Cultural events in nature help new and families together. ideas for the city’s image to develop.

12 13 Q9 Cultural and artistic content Outline briefly the plans for monitoring and evaluation.

We designed the monitoring and evalua- participants, participating communities cultural organisations in Jūrmala and the tion plan of the Jūrmala 2027 foundation and funded project teams; 2) the con­ participating partnering counties. We will so as to 1) ensure that the Jūrmala 2027 tribution of the Jūrmala 2027 founda­ also use monitoring indicators of the Lat- What is the artistic vision and strategy for programme is systematically monitored and tion team, Jūrmala City and partnering vian population’s cultural consumption and Q10 evaluated internally, as well as to provide municipalities; 3) the Jūrmala 2027 engagement, data from ticket sales, etc. the cultural programme of the year? data for the European Commission’s (EC) foundation’s activities’ contribution to To measure impact, we will use quantitative external evaluation; 2) focus the develop- national cultural policy and to achieving and qualitative data obtained from 1) sur- ment and implementation of the city’s de- overall ECoC objectives. veys, interviews and focus group discus- velopment and cultural policy’s strategic We selected quantitative and qualitative sions with inhabitants of Jūrmala and our We introduced five ARTeries pation and will challenge people planning documents; 3) ensure that the indicators to measure whether the pro- partnering counties, event audiences, proj- The ARTeries are alive, the ARTeries are pulsating, the cultural, social and economic benefits of that run through the natural and in unexpected ways – some mig- gramme corresponds to its objectives and ect beneficiaries and cultural operators, cul- ARTeries are everywhere. The core concept of Jūrmala’s Jūrmala 2027 is visible to the stakeholders urban environment of Jūrmala ht find serenity and experience to measure its cultural, social and economic tural policy and city development/planning ECoC application is to make culture and art available in involved in the city’s development and plan- in outlining the concept for our harmony between themselves impact. They will be grouped into the fol- experts, Jūrmala 2027 administrative staff ECoC programme (Q4). Drawing unexpected places and in unexpected forms. We envi­ and their surroundings, some ning. The plan was drafted by cultural lowing categories: and other relevant groups; 2) project ben- a parallel to the way in which sion a culture and art created in collaboration with peo­ might open their minds and un- policy and city development/planning  citizens of Jūrmala as “creators” and eficiaries’ activity overviews/reports, where human arteries supply cells with ple and with the world, a culture and art that honours experts, who cooperated with experts leash their creativity, some might “consumers” of the urban environment information will be included in the form of life-sustaining oxygen, Jūrmala’s our natural and historical heritage. Being surprised by on cultural programme impact assess­ gain understanding and discover and the cultural programme, focused reports according to evaluation in- ARTeries supply the city with a art might persuade someone to participate unexpect­ their inner resources. Our world ment from the Latvian Academy of Cul­ edly. By infusing the ARTeries with culture, we hope to It is based on studying previous ECoC  cultural participation: going-out participa- dicators. The methodological principles of life-sustaining flow of people class professional art events will ture. reach even the furthest corners and Pulse locations of experiences (especially Rīga 2014) and on tion and identity-building participation, ecosystem mapping and network analysis and ideas that, among count- in turn stir a sense of empathy, will allow data to be grouped and analysed Jūrmala. a holistic analysis of the cultural strategies  social cohesion and involvement based on less other things, facilitate com- they will inspire, open people’s in order to identify changes in the city’s de- and impact indicators of various cities, re- territory, ethnicity, economy, values, etc., mon goals and development. eyes and stimulate debate. velopment trajectory during and after the gions, countries, the EU and other interna-  synergy between culture-, nature- and The ARTeries are constantly coursing. foundation of democracy throughout At the same time, we will demonstrate that tional organisations (UNESCO). implementation of the Jūrmala 2027 pro- health ecosystem services, gramme. They connect everything that sustains life, European history and still is today. urban development can progress and simul- on both a physical and spiritual level. It is taneously respect natural heritage and future Our approach to evaluation is based on  culture and the arts as a restorative re- The city will be a platform where science the basic principles of change and action source for people and nature, The evaluation and monitoring process an endless cycle. People arrive in Jūrmala generations. Nature preservation is not just have been adapted and technology can come together with art theory. These make it possible to establish and the timeframe bringing their experiences and stories with about keeping it untouched at the expense  the integration of natural and cultural heri- to include all stages of the development, to create unexpected, surprising and inno- a causal link between the programme’s con- them. They leave their mark by influencing of progress. Humanity and nature can co- tage into arts and cultural management, implementation and evaluation (including vative solutions. tribution and the ECoC objectives as out- those they meet. They can rest, heal, then exist if people live with respect for nature.  new sustainable cultural spaces in the long-term effects) of the Jūrmala 2027 lined by the EC, and the objectives of the take what they have gained back home with 2) Inclusion and equality. We are urban and natural environments, programme: Jūrmala 2027 programme that are subor- them. In the same way we can go out into working towards being a tolerant place 4) Discovery. We want to surprise visi- dinated to these, as well as to assess why  linking cultural and artistic innovation  2021: benchmarks will be set and nature, gain strength and spiritual clarity, where culture can help people feel at tors by turning something familiar into and how the link has been established. To to urban planning activities, included in the Jūrmala City Cultural and in turn invest that energy and new- home and be treated equally regardless something wonderful. Mundane things evaluate Jūrmala 2027 it is particularly im-  international cooperation: participation Development Plan 2023–2029. found awareness back, by taking care of of age, gender, nationality, sexuality, will turn into revelations. Railway sta- portant to 1) dynamically map and assess in networks, artist exchanges, interna-  2024–2025: all stakeholders involved the environment – for ourselves, and for social background, religion or physical tions, hangars and factories will sud- how culture, the environment and health tional projects and events. in the implementation of the pro- future generations. The ARTeries have no ability. We will respect cultural diversity denly seem extraordinary. One of our interact in the city’s ecosystem; 2) to for- We will pay special attention to studying gramme will perform a self-assessment beginning and no end. and differences, because everyone can goals as ECoC is to view things through matively assess the inhabitants of Jūrmala citizens’ cooperation and co-creation ac- regarding anticipated results, monitor- find belonging in Jūrmala. a child’s eyes, to finally notice the Our programme strategy is based around and communities in our partner regions as a tivities in order to perform an in-depth as- ing report will be prepared. things we walk past and overlook every five principles that flow through all source of the city’s cultural dynamism, and sessment of the impact that ECoC has on 3) Responsibility to future gene- day. Culture and art will help us in this  2022–2027: data is collected while ECoC activities: Our cultural programme will as ambassadors of natural heritage and a transforming the identity, sense of belong- rations. mission and turn everyday life into a the programme is being implemented. inspire people to think. It will inspire healthy lifestyle. In monitoring and evaluat- ing and representation of the citizens of We want joyful adventure. It will help us ques-  By 1 July 2028: the final evaluation of 1) Unity and cooperation. people to act with respect towards na- ing the programme we will use elements of Jūrmala, as well as on the cultural, mental to become a city where culture is the tion old beliefs, shake off tired ideas Jūrmala 2027 is prepared. ture in all areas of their lives. It will in- participatory research design and social sci- and physical healing that the city’s visitors foundation for cooperation, for active and instead celebrate the diversity al- spire people to understand the impact ences. These will ensure that the participat- experience during the ECoC. The key im-  2030: final evaluation of the Jūrmala participation and ownership. We value of their actions on the environment ready right in front of us. ing communities, project beneficiaries, resi- pact indicators will be tested periodically Cultural Development Plan 2023– openness in all its forms: openness and on their health in this way being dents and visitors of Jūrmala are actively for both the project’s monitoring and for its 2029 and the Jūrmala City Develop- to change, challenges and coopera- 5) Participation. One of our programme’s able to act responsibly towards future engaged in collecting the data. The work of final evaluation. ment Programme 2023–2029. tion; openness among neighbours and strategies is to issue co-financing calls generations. the team of Jūrmala 2027 volunteers will  2031–2032: long-term impact as- among communities; openness betwe- for local and international projects. This play an important role in conducting audi- To evaluate and monitor Jūrmala 2027 we will use from Eurostat, the Central Sta- sessment in synergy with the final as- en artists and entrepreneurs, NGOs We intend to become a place where people will give us the opportunity to base a ence research, as will the participation of data tistical Bureau of the Republic of Latvia and sessment of the Jūrmala City Develop- and municipalities; openness between can come to find physical and mental balan- significant part of our programme on students and researchers from Latvian arts the Latvian Cultural Data portal Kultūras ment Strategy 2020–2030. neighbouring counties, national and ce and experience harmony between nature people’s own creative ideas. We want to and culture academies. dati. We will also use databases that con- The Jūrmala 2027 foundation will have international cultural organisations, and digital technologies. We will draw from see what local and international artists We plan to assess the objectives of tain information on the socio-demographic administrative responsibility for evalua- European and global cities. We recog- our cultural heritage to offer people ways and cultural organisations can come up the ECoC and Jūrmala 2027 and how structure, employment and income, cul- tion and monitoring and will work with 1–2 nise that unity can provide people with in which they can check in on themselves with. We want to be surprised, foster the planned results that correspond to tural and creative industry employment, the evaluation experts in the long term. It will also a secure foundation that they can lean and their health and to then rejuvenate participation and belonging and at the them are being achieved in three levels: tourism and hospitality sector’s economic ensure that the results of the evaluation are on and gather strength from to defend spiritually and physically. The way that our same time attract private funding to im- 1) the contribution of the programme’s indicators and on public and private sector communicated.  their interests. Unity has been the events are organised will encourage partici- plement the programme.  14 15 Q11 Give a general overview of the structure of your cultural programme, including the range and diversity of the activities/main events that will mark the year.

Our ECoC programme is divided into three main strands, three Pulses, that contain all Environmental Pulse the ideas that we want to communicate to Europe. The Pulses also cover all the ways Nature often serves as a stage for cul- want people’s commuter habits to change in which we want to bring Europe to Jūrmala tural experiences in Latvia. With our both during the week and on weekends. and represent European values here. The ECoC programme, we will open the larg- Pulses will take on a variety of forms: events A large part of our beautiful “lace architec- est art galleries and concert halls up to th in nature, in the urban environment, on the ture” was constructed at the end of the 19 our events – our parks, forests, and the century and many of these buildings were internet. They tell the story of Europe, the coast. Embracing non-traditional cultural Baltic Sea coast, Latvia and Jūrmala. They meant to be used as summer houses. Re- spaces will allow audiences to feel that storing and adapting them to modern living will communicate our partner counties’ aspi- they can participate in a new way. Tak- rations, changes and new directions. standards requires serious financial invest- ing audiences out of traditional concert ment. In the early 1990s in Latvia, syn- and exhibition venues will foster empa- thetic building materials were favoured over thy and co-creation. Any space in nature natural materials and since then, Jūrmala’s Health Pulse can become a cultural space if events are lace architecture has been left to decay. We produced in a respectful, environmen- have sadly already lost many of the buildings We find good health in the interaction tally friendly way. that gave the city its character and identity. between a balanced mind and a bal- The arrival of the 21st century, however, has We are very grateful for our sustainable anced body. We find healthy lifestyles in introduced a new European vision – green transport network, the railway. After the the interaction between art, sports and thinking, sustainability, and urban devel- health. Different kinds of therapies – be planned opening of Rail Baltica in 2026, opment that is open and accessible to the it dance, movement, drama, music or the railway will not only connect Jūrmala public. The ECoC is therefore our chance to art – are important, but so is our cultural to the Riga International Airport, but also show that wooden architecture is not just an and historical heritage. Living in har- to Tallinn, Vilnius, Helsinki, Warsaw and aesthetic choice. If architects, builders, sci- mony with nature, regardless of season, Berlin. Most of the city’s inhabitants and entists and building owners develop wooden can bring serenity, and various sporting visitors meet in stations and on trains architecture collaboratively, it can become an Co-creation Pulse Our approach can be summarised by our wish activities can provide clarity. We want to every day making the railway an impor- environmentally friendly and people friendly to encourage people in Jūrmala, Latvia, Eu- surprise our visitors about what health tant venue for us. By combining high solution. This is an opportunity for us to find rope and the world to rediscover values that and art can look like and encourage peo- quality and unusual cultural activities ways in which wooden architecture can be- The ECoC will act as a catalyst radiate outward and breathe new bring them happiness and contentment. A bal- ple to think outside the box. Looking at with sustainable transport, we will incen- come the energy-efficient and environmen- for engagement and collabora- life into democracy reaching a anced approach to nature and the seasons, health in a new way can become a sur- tivise people to choose trains, bicycles or tally friendly foundation for construction tion. When the foundations of national and even European level. to physical activity and mental health, to prising cultural experience in itself. electric cars over private transport. We in Europe in the future. the European Union were being Art and culture benefit from the past and the future can hold the answer. laid, Latvia was still a part of the openness. When experience and A sense of belonging and tolerance can help us Soviet Union where double stan- ideas can flow freely between the feel safe to explore these values. Finding the dards and doublespeak were the municipality and its institutions, right combination is an art form. rule. Culture therefore became between cultural organisations, the space where people tried to NGOs and artistic groups, this express their true thoughts and generates creativity. If the city Three types of events will characterise each main strand, or Pulse, of the ECoC programme: opinions, albeit indirectly. Today fosters long term cooperation this is already history, especially with other cities in both Latvia  Flagship events will attract broader attention and for today’s youth, but remember- and Europe, this will inspire the foster local and cross-border cooperation by high- ing our totalitarian past and given city’s residents and visitors to get lighting each strand’s core message. the rise of populism in this time involved. Inspiration is circular  Regional flagship events will highlight the unique, of the pandemic, it is increas- and reciprocal. the local and the traditional and attract local and in- ingly important to emphasise We see how technology has ternational partners to the region. European values and goals – helped shift the boundaries of  Heartbeats. In a world where people increasingly democracy and solidarity. Culture traditional culture and art. Art, spend time in social and information bubbles, initia- is what can bring people together traditions and heritage can merge tives that reach out and connect with people where to create experiences – not merely with technology. By using these they are, and where they’re already used to spend- aesthetic ones, but ones that are new tools, like augmented reality ing time are particularly valuable. This is why our pro- opportunities for participation. (AR), 3D, digital painting or mul- gramme’s most important strategy is to identify these Co-creation leads to a sense of timedia experiences, we can see places and organise smaller events that are more ac- ownership, togetherness and the familiar in a new light. We will cessible. We will achieve scale by organising sev- pride that can spur citizens to en- become a place where artists can eral events at the same time that involve many gage in the daily life of their city, collaborate with tech profession- people across different locations. This aligns with or in international cooperation als to create new, amazing cul- the new realities of life after the pandemic and with projects. Starting locally, this can tural experiences! our efforts to engage and co-create. 

16 17 Health Pulse

Main flagship event: Slow down! Modern life can be fast paced, and digital oversaturation can stop people from taking the time to pause, breathe, and think. Through a series of Find Your Balance events over several years, we will give people a space where they can slow down. These events will demonstrate a wide range of methods for re- storing health, balance and wellbeing. Socialising with others through art and music therapy is a way to reduce depression and anxiety. With this in mind, we will be organising classes and workshops that will be open to anyone interest- ed. They will be accessible and inviting for young people, seniors and people with disabilities. The classes will be led by art therapists and the creative work- shops and conversations will be held in cooperation with local artists. People can come to the Craft House to learn more about different crafts and trades and how these can help find balance. We will create Digital Escape Zones on the beach, where people will be encouraged to put down their mobile de- vices and appreciate their surroundings anew. We will set up stalls around the neighbourhood to share information on meditation, breathing exercises and other techniques that people can utilise to restore their wellbeing. SlowDown XS – mini festivals will be held at fairs in towns and villages in the surrounding regions in the lead up to the SlowDown Festival. Through these, Riverside Music (LT), Casa da Opening event: ARTeries Potential artists:* we get to connect with people where they are, demonstrate different ways Musica (PT), Cryptic Theatre from Glasgow (UK), Sigrid The ECoC year in Jūrmala will begin at the Dzintari Concert Hall with a sprawl- Strøm Reibo (NO), Artemis String Quartet with Vineta in which people can regain their physical and mental balance and encourage ing performance that will bring together light, music and sound. The event them to be more active in their everyday lives. SlowDown XS will also be a Sareika (DE), Real Group with Jānis Stradziņš (SE), or- will introduce the cultural programme’s three strands – health, co-creation and gan players: Iveta Apkalna, Jānis Šipkēvics, DD Studio, way for us to introduce healthy foods made from local ingredients, collect and Roberts Rubīns, Artistic. the environment. The first ARTery will be a light and sound projection that teach traditional preservation practices, and learn new recipes. The emphasis will illuminate the concert hall’s façade. It will dissolve the barrier between will be on the “farm to fork” principle to encourage a fair, healthy and environ-

Potential cooperation partners: inside and outside making the building accessible and give passers-by the Cultural operators: Dzintari Concert Hall, Latvijas Kon- mentally friendly food system. same experience as visitors inside. The second ARTery will be a participatory certi, Festival Ljubljana (SI), Vilnius Festival (LT), Inter- These all will culminate in the SlowDown Festival in 2027 where everyone will multimedia performance in the Small Hall that will immerse visitors in a world national Light Festivals Organisation (INT). be able to participate in workshops, master classes and lectures to learn about of live sounds and lights. The third ARTery on the open-air stage and in the State and local authorities: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, different forms of art therapy and ways in which to incorporate these tech- park surrounding the concert hall will invite people to enjoy the natural sounds Ministry of Culture, the Saeima (the Parliament of Lat- niques in their everyday lives. Visitors will be able to draw patterns in the sand via), the Chancery of the President of Latvia, internatio- around them – the babble of voices, bird song, the rush of the sea – and experi- in the sand therapy area, enjoy the sounds of the forest and learn meditation nal diplomatic missions in Latvia, twinning cities. ence how they come together in harmony with the waning evening light. The in a hammock among the dunes in the forest therapy area, and express their ECoC cities and candidate cities: Faro 2027, Braga fourth ARTery will connect and activate our various Pulse locations in Jūrmala, emotions through drama therapy. The SlowDown Festival will become a regu- 2027, Leiria 2027, Rīga 2014. our partner regions, and those of our international cooperation partners. This lar tradition that focuses on creating opportunities for people to reintroduce a Timeframe: January 2027. event will also be available for audiences to enjoy online.  sense of balance to their daily lives. 

Potential cooperation partners: Institutions of higher education: Rīga Stradiņš University, Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Art Academy of Latvia. Closing event: Light Augmented Potential artists: Gints Gabrāns, video artists Professional associations: the Latvian Association for Art and Music Therapists, Ineta Sipunova, Artistic and other local and internatio- We lit a light in the dark at the Dzintari Concert Hall in January, and we will European Federation of Art Therapy (BE), Latvian Drama Therapy Associa- nal artists. return here again in December to look back at the brightest events of the tion, Latvian Music Therapy Association, Latvian Art Therapy Association, Lat- Potential cooperation partners: ECoC year and appreciate all that we have achieved. We want everyone who vian Dance Movement Therapy Association, Latvian Association of Zhong Yuan Culture and other operators: Dzintari Concert Hall, Lat- participated, and who experienced Jūrmala as ECoC to join us for the closing Qigong, The Latvian Association of Physiotherapists, Latvian Association of Diet vijas Koncerti, International Light Festivals Organisa- event. Putting technology to creative use, we will not only be able to involve and Nutritionists, Baltic Osteopathic Association, Latvian Society of Neurologists, Latvian Association for the Study of Pain, Latvian Red Cross. tion (INT), Latvian Mobile Telephone. our partner regions, but also our twinning cities abroad. Virtual replicas of the Latvian arts and crafts societies: Dzīpars, 7 Balles, Radīts Jaunpils novadā State and local authorities: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, outdoor sculpture Pinecone in Jūrmala, will pop up in urban spaces in both (Made in Jaunpils County), Jaunpils Castle, Decorative Folk Art Studio Durbe, Talsi Ministry of Culture, the Saeima, the Chancery of the Latvia and abroad at the same time as the official closing event. There is new Community Centre, Talsu novada garšā (Talsi Co-Op), Kandava Municipal Crafts President of Latvia, international diplomatic missions in growth concealed within a pinecone, bursting to get out. This imminent surge Centre, Engure Folk Applied Arts Studio, Pinumu darbnīca (Wicker Workshop), Latvia, twinning cities. of energy symbolises the future. The sculptures will be created in collaboration Amatu biedrība Durvis (Durvis Crafts Association). ECoC cities and candidate cities: Faro 2027, Braga with artist Gints Gabrāns using his AR app SAN. The app will allow people to Other organisations: Valguma Pasaule recreation centre, Elfas dance studio, the or- 2027, Leiria 2027, Rīga 2014. look back at the highlights of the ECoC year in a contemporary, visually engag- ganisation Piekrastes konvents (Coastal Convention), Grašu Māja creative space. Timeframe: December 2027. ing, environmentally friendly and accessible way.  ECoC Cities and candidate cities: Braga 2027, Leiria 2027, Guarda 2027, Aveiro 2027. Timeframe: Activities will be implemented gradually starting in 2025 and cul- minate in the summer of 2027. They will continue after 2027 making use of the * Both current and planned cooperation partners and artists are listed here and under the events below, but only those ECoC cities that we have already cooperation mechanisms developed during the ECoC year. approached about cooperation are listed.

18 19 Regional flagship event: Villages: Ready, Steady, Go! Green Gym Potential cooperation partners: Every spring, a running race winds through several of our partner counties. The unspoiled nature in Jūrmala and Talsi and Tukums counties, the forests, Sports associations: Latvian Street Workout Associa- The race course leads through the coastal villages and has stops along the meadows, parks and wide sandy beaches, can be seen as one large, green gym. tion, Latvian Street Workout and Calisthenics Federa- tion, Latvian Association of Zhong Yuan Qigong, Lat- way for various activities. At each stop, people are introduced to ways in which We will develop nature trails, Green Arteries, to encourage people to make vian Volleyball Federation, Latvijas pludmale beach they can cultivate health, responsibility and a caring mindset so as to live in use of all the space available to them. These trails will create a network of volleyball association, Baltā kalna komanda hiking harmony with nature and with their bodies. Inspired by this tradition, more routes for hiking, Nordic walking and cycling that will weave through the en- society, International Winter Swimming Association villages further inland in the Tukums and Talsi counties will be included in tire region. The network will connect with and incorporate the many existing (INT), Latvian Orienteering federation, Jaunpils sports subsequent races. These will be open and inclusive events so that locals and routes. These trails will run by historical sites, new Pulse locations, past out- club, Engures sportam society. visitors are able to cover the distance by running, walking, cycling or sailing or door sculptures and connect to ECoC events and exhibitions. We will create City and county tourism information centres: Jūrmala, by using Nordic walking poles, making several stops along the way.  apps for games, through which you will be able to check in at various points, Talsi, Tukums, Kandava, Roja, Engure. and which will have exercise routines that need to be performed in specific Other organisations: Rīga Stradiņš University, Latvian places. Let an AR trainer guide you! Academy of Sport Education, Ķemeri National Park, Potential cooperation partners: Latvian Country Tourism Association Lauku ceļotājs. Not everyone can find the time to go for a long walk. Our solution to engage Sports associations: Engures Sportam association, Latvian Orienteering Fed- ECoC cities and candidate cities: Oulu 2026, Tampere eration, Jaunpils sports club, Brīvsolis sports club, Latvian Cycling Federation, these busy people is Courtyard Fitness, which will bring exercise closer to 2026, Aveiro 2027. sports and recreation society Magnēts, Nordic Walking Latvia, Latvian Paralympic home. Courtyard Fitness is something that people can do together with their Timeframe: Activities will be implemented gradu- Committee. neighbours. We will expand our outdoor gyms, encourage people to exercise ally starting in 2025 and culminate in the summer of City and county sports schools: Jūrmala, Talsi county, Tukums, Roja. with trainers or with their energetic neighbours. Communities will be able to 2027. They will continue after 2027 making use of the practice yoga and Qigong, go Nordic walking, skateboard in their courtyards, cooperation structures developed during the ECoC year. Other organisations: Latvian Academy of Sport Education, Latvian Country exercise on the beach or in a nearby birch grove. Tourism Association Lauku ceļotājs, “Apeirons” Organization of People with Disabilities and Their Friends. We will organise educational events about how to be more environmentally friendly, explain the health benefits of various natural rem- Timeframe: Activities will be implemented gradually starting in 2025 and cul- edies (sauna rituals, herbal teas, beds of bees, etc.) and prove that bad weather is not a good reason to stay indoors! In the spring and minate in the summer of 2027. They will continue after 2027 making use of the summer, we will organise Healthy Nature – Healthy Body clean-up events. These will educate participants about the importance of cooperation structures developed during the ECoC year. communal clean-ups for nature preservation, and an accompanying physiotherapist will help people do manual labour without hurting themselves. There will also be beach volleyball matches where neighbourhoods can play against one another, employees in the creative industries can challenge the municipality, and doctors can play civil servants. These matches will take place throughout the year, summer or winter! During the Sea Hike weekend, everyone will be welcomed to walk along the coast from Jūrmala to Cape Kolka. Those looking for a bigger challenge can take a few steps into the sea at the Run on Water event, and see what it’s like to run in 10–20 cm deep water. Contemporary art exhibition Bon Voyage At the Winter Plunge with Rainis event, both seasoned winter bathers and beginners same time up and down the coast, will take a dip Curators: Inga Šteimane (LV), Kestutis Kuizinas in the freezing sea at the same time in honour of the famous Latvian poet and Jūrmala native, Jānis Rainis.  (LT), Shady El Noshokaty (EG). Jūrmala became a popular health destination in the 19th century in Europe be- Potential artists: John Bock (DE), Ragnar Kjar- cause of the healing natural resources that can be found here. This took place tansson (IS), Jordi Colomer (ES), Anna Ķirse, Krista at a time when travelling for health, or medical tourism, was growing in popu- Burāne, Kristaps Epners, Thomas Hirschhorn (CH), larity. The custom of the Grand Tour was still strong in Europe at this time. Arteries of Light Potential artists: video artist Ineta Sipunova. Marina Abramovič (USA), Kara Walker (USA) and These trips were seen as an educational rite of passage to broaden travellers’ Light plays a vital role in the Baltic and Northern European countries during others. Potential cooperation partners: horizons and introduce them to new cultures. We can draw certain parallels the darkest months of the year. It can help combat low spirits and seasonal Cultural centres in cities and counties: Jūrmala, Tukums, Potential cooperation partners: Art Station between contemporary medical tourism and art travel in that they are both in depression that the lack of light can cause. We will not only celebrate light at Roja, Engure, Lapmežciems, cultural centres and man- Dubulti, Julia Stoschek Collection (DE), CAC (Vilnius) their own ways pursuits of physical and mental balance. Experimentation in our opening and closing events, but all year round to remind ourselves of the ors in the city of Talsi, and Talsi county. (LT), Kiasma (Helsinki) (FI), ASCII Foundation for Con- importance that light plays in our everyday lives. temporary Art Education (Cairo) (EG). contemporary art is a similar pursuit, a way to learn and gain unexpected ex- Other organisations: neighbourhood associations, the periences. The idea for the international contemporary art project Bon Voyage organisers and partners of the Night of Ancient Lights January – December 2027, exhibition Our culture is rooted in our ancestors’ traditions and revolves around the Timeframe: sprouted from the intersection of these concepts. The core of the exhibition is (EE), International Light Festivals Organisation (INT). May – September 2027. cycles of the sun. The winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, and the made up of artworks by both Latvian and international artists that have been summer solstice, or Jāņi, the longest day of the year, are natural markers of ECoC cities and candidate cities: Rīga 2014, Evora inspired by travel. Parts of the exhibition will be displayed throughout Jūrmala time in Latvians’ lives. 2027, Faro 2027. and the partner counties, but the centre will be at the Art Station Dubulti art space. This entire area will thus be transformed into a large Timeframe: Activities will be implemented gradu- exhibition space. Bon Voyage is envisioned as a form of “voyage” accompanied by “travel notes” that small groups can embark on via land, The Independence Day of Latvia occurs in the darker half of the year, on ally starting in 2025 and culminate in the summer of 18 November. is a tradition to make this day bright- water, or rail. The voyage will run along the ARTeries and make stops at various Pulse locations.  Way of Light for Latvia 2027. They will continue after 2027 making use of the er. For several years now, citizens of Jūrmala have lit candles to create a way cooperation structures developed during the ECoC year. of light through the city. For the ECoC year, we will invite towns in Tukums and Talsi counties to join us. To create an even greater sense of community, we will supplement the way of light with a concert on mobile The contemporary sculpture and environmental stages that will move along this way and through the towns. Way of Light for Latvia will take place at the same time as the well-known Curator and potential artists: sculptor Staro Rīga Light Festival in the capital and the Arteries of Light festival will radiate through Jūrmala, to the coast, and all the way to Kristaps Gulbis, with participation of local and interna- art project Equilibrium Tukums and Talsi counties making this day into a larger, national celebration of light.  tional artists, for example Aigars Bikše. Equilibrium is a contemporary sculpture and environmental art project that Potential cooperation partners: Leitrim will encourage people to pause. In this pause, they will be given space to think Sculpture Centre (IRL), The Association of Icelandic about themselves, the nature around them and about the shared circulatory Artists (IS), The Centre of Polish Sculpture in Oransko system that joins humans and nature. The works in the exhibition are de- (PL), Estonian Academy of Arts (EE), Escola Massana signed to involve viewers actively by encouraging them to participate, rather Art and Design Centre (ES), Latvian National Museum of Art, Talsi Bush Art Group, Talsi Regional Museum, than just observe. By interacting with a work of art, people have the opportu- Roja ART LAB association. nity to bring it to life, and discover the power of balance. The plan is to exhibit the pieces in districts further out from the city centre – in Kauguri, Sloka and 2026 – 2027. Timeframe: Ķemeri. This sculpture ARTery will connect Pulse locations and ensure that art is distributed evenly throughout the city, in this way also carrying out one of our ECoC visions. Encouraging public participation, the people of Jūrmala will be able to vote for one of the pieces to become a permanent outdoor sculp- ture. In a direct way, the project implements and addresses balanced develop- ment, which is one of the basic principles of Europe. 

20 21 Co-creation Pulse Regional flagship event: Culture in Signs Culture in Signs is a project created jointly by Latvia and Portugal. It is intend- ed as a series of applied arts workshops that will bring two distinct cultural heritages together. Latvian ethnographic signs will be painted onto Portugese azulejo tiles, and Portugese ornaments will be knitted into traditional Latvian mittens. In the run-up to the ECoC year, we will also explore the cultural signs of prior ECoC cities in Germany, Slovenia, Finland and Slovakia. This collaboration will take place on multiple levels by involving both applied arts professionals Main flagship event: folk dance festival and art school students. All artisans will have the opportunity to participate, however, as they will be able to give advice on a website and on social media. Potential cooperation partners: Steps in the Sand Cultural organisations: We have entered into talks with The art that is created will be made into a traveling exhibition and provide digital the Latvian National Centre for Culture who are the main Steps in the Sand is a great example of how a long-standing, local folk dance and multimedia solutions to help break down barriers between cultures. This organisers of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival. Lat- event can be transformed into a shared European event through the ECoC. will also make it possible to enjoy the exhibition from anywhere in Europe.  vian dance groups, municipalities, municipal cultural insti- The festival will bring together several thousand dancers by the sea in July tutions, public organisations, minority organisations and 2027, stretching for 140 km from Jūrmala to Cape Kolka. Participants will Potential cooperation partners: organisations for people with disabilities. dance together to encourage the public to think about the fragile relationship Cultural organisations: the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia, Latvian Na- Other organisations: World Wildlife Fund (INT), Newcas- between humans and nature. There are 876 dance groups in Latvia with over tional Centre for Culture, Museu Nacional do Azulejo (PT), the Institute of Latvian tles of the World (INT). 18,000 dancers. To implement this ambitious idea, we will not only invite the History at the University of Latvia, Latvian National Museum of Art. Our partner counties’ twinning cities that are located by a entire community of Latvian folk dancers, including wheelchair dancers, but City and regional museums: Jūrmala, Tukums, Talsi county, The Roja Fishing Museum. sea or ocean: Batumi (GE), Cabourg (FR), Pietarsaari (FI), open it up to the inhabitants of our twinning cities, ECoC and other cities. City and county art schools: Jūrmala, Talsi, Tukums, Engure, Roja. Terracina (IT), Palanga (LT), Pärnu (EE), Gävle (SE), Alanya Everyone who wants to dance, regardless of experience, will be encouraged City and county youth centres: Jūrmala, Talsi county, Tukums county. (TR), Saaremaa (EE), Valdemarsvik (SE). to head to the nearest seaside, be it by the Baltic, Black or Mediterranean Crafts and culture organisations: Talsi Folk House and other cultural centres and ECoC cities and candidate cities: Oulu 2026, Tampere Seas, or even by the ocean. Because this is an environmentally friendly event, manors in Talsi county, applied arts groups in Talsi, Talsi Bush Art Group, Dzīpars, 2026, Leiria 2027. the music will be provided through headphones. Live music will play at certain 7 Balles, Radīts Jaunpils novadā (Made in Jaunpils County), Decorative Folk Art Studio Durbe, Kandava Municipal Crafts Centre, National Costume Center Senā Klēts, Engure A pilot project for the large dance event Pulse locations, which will feed to different venues in both Latvia and the Timeframe: Folk Applied Arts Studio, Amatu biedrība Durvis (Durvis Crafts Association), the or- will start in the summer of 2023. It will be developed world. Preparing for the dance (choosing the dance and learning the choreog- ganisation Piekrastes konvents (Coastal Convention), Latvian Chamber of Crafts. and improved during 2024 and 2025 with the num- raphy) and organising the event itself will be done through cooperation and ber of participants increasing each year. The event will co-creation – our vision for ECoC! We will show the beauty of the patterns the ECoC cities and candidate cities: Evora, Faro, Coimbra, Leiria, Aveiro (all 2027). culminate in 2027 as a large-scale collaborative event. dancers make by filming them from above with drones, and transmitting this Timeframe: Collaboration starts in 2025 with classes and workshops organ- to play on screens.  ised in 2026. Travelling exhibition in 2027 that continues in 2028.

Community Spirit Potential cooperation partners: It is people that give communities their character. Neighbours’ willingness to Danish Cultural Institute in Latvia (DK), Metropolis (DK). cooperate, ability to coexist and motivation to shape a place together is cru- Neighbourhood, county and district associations: Jūrmala cial for developing community spirit. The Talsi and Tukums counties will join Citizens’ Forum, Jaunpils Regional Development Centre Jūrmala in the Neighbourhoods in Motion challenge to encourage people to RATS, the Partnership for Rural and the Sea, Kandava come together. We will bring in experienced partners to help promote coopera- Partnership, Talsi Region Community Foundation, Kan- tion by organising networking events, meetings, workshops and classes, by dava Region Opportunity Foundation, the organisation developing websites and effective ways of exchanging information. Together, Piekrastes konvents (Coastal Convention), the associa- tion Engures izglītības un kultūrvides attīstībai (organ- we will learn how to implement participatory budgeting principles into local isation for the development of education and culture in governments. We will initiate Community Placemaking to gradually create Engure), the society Zinis. and equip areas in the city and tailor them to the specific needs of various communities – this can include setting up chess boards, installing benches for ECoC cities and candidate cities: Bodø 2024, Tampere 2026, Rīga 2014, Faro 2027, Trenčin 2026, Aveiro senior citizens, or creating places for swimming. This can also include graffiti 2027, Kaunas 2022. walls made by and for at-risk youth in low-income neighbourhoods, collab- orative outdoor sculptures made by youth and seniors together with profes- Timeframe: This is a long-term project that will sional artists, or urban gardens nestled in among high-rise buildings. We will begin in 2022. It will continue and develop through co-creation projects in 2027 and expand the coopera- let ideas flow freely from the communities and help them get implemented tion in subsequent years. through various neighbourhood project open calls. 

Design Dubulti Possible cooperation partners: Art Station The annual environmental design project Design Dubulti was launched in 2021 Dubulti, Green Expo Riga, National Library of Latvia, and makes Jūrmala a destination for contemporary discussions on design. The Latvian Writers’ Union, publishing houses, Zelta Ābele book art competition, and others. project will focus on how to weigh aesthetics against environmental impact to find a harmonious balance. It will encourage contemporary discussions about Timeframe: Exhibition in the Art Station Dubulti, the the role of design in developing sustainable cities. Design Dubulti chooses a Dubulti Cultural Quarter, in other stations and places in Jūrmala and in our cooperation counties in March–June theme each year, and in 2027 the focus will be on book design and technology. 2027. Making a book is a great example of creativity and co-creation. Through the project, we will introduce Europe to what a 21st century Latvian book looks like and tell the story of socialist book design in Latvia between 1940 and 1991, a subject that is not very well known in Europe. A programme of public events will be held on the last weekend of May. These are intended for the broader public as well as professionals. The ECoC programme’s events at libraries throughout the region will supplement and work together with this project. Together, we will be able to follow a story through from its inception to finished book, how it makes its way from the minds of authors and artists into a reader’s hands. 

22 23 Being Neighbours Beyond Books Potential cooperation partners: Film organisations: National Film Centre of Latvia, the In order to love and respect your neighbours, you first need to get to know More than just places to borrow books, libraries are also centres where com- RojaL Film Festival, Cinevilla, Riga International Short them. Leading up to, and during the ECoC year, there will be events at differ- munities socialise. However, promoting literacy remains one of the primary Film Festival 2ANNAS, Auseklis cinema in Talsi. ent Pulse locations where people can meet, get to know and learn to love their roles of libraries. At a time when visual media is challenging reading habits, City and regional cultural centres: Jūrmala, Kauguri, diverse neighbours. Jūrmala, Talsi and Tukums counties have historically been literacy is increasingly on the agenda giving schools and other cultural and Roja, Tukums. a home to a variety of different nationalities – Livs, Latvians, Roma, Jews and educational institutions a lot to think about. Russians. Many other communities have joined them in more recent years – Associations: Jūrmala minority associations, Varavīks­ Ukrainians, Belarusians, Americans, Chinese, Brazilians. The traveling festival Our I Love to Read initiative will jump in here to help people rediscover how ne, the association Engures izglītības un kultūrvides much they enjoy reading, or to discover the magic of books in the first place. Neighbourfest will be an opportunity for people to get to know the wealth attīstībai (organisation for the development of educa- We want to make reading a social activity. There will be neighbourhood book tion and culture in Engure), the organisation Piekrastes and diversity of European culture, and to celebrate our similarities and differ- swaps, communal readings at libraries or in meadows, konvents (Coastal Convention). ences. We will invite various local national communities, international coop- Let’s Read Together! eration partners and twinning cities to help us in this. To engage all our senses and children will be able to meet characters from their favourite books and Theatre and youth associations: Jūrmala Performing spend some time in their world at the popular event In the World of Fairy Arts Theater, Jurmala Culture Centre Youth Theatre we will involve amateur artistic groups, professional artists and chefs so that Tales! At the flash mob Write!, young people will be able write down their Eksperiments, Jūrmala Children and Youth Theatre, we get to dance, sing, see, hear and taste the cultures around us. New Theatre Institute of Latvia, Kvadrifrons, Jaunpils favourite poems straight onto the streets. These and other ideas will be cre- Creating and then watching the Neighbours’ Footprints film series together, ated and developed in cooperation with local and European libraries and writ- Theatre, Viesati culture centre theatre group Pupuķis, we will get to know the people around us better. We will look for, study and Tukums youth theatre Brīvā versija, Jūrmala Youth Ini- ers. Organising both traditional and not-so-traditional international confer- film the footprints that people have left on Latvian and European history and tiative Centre, Kandava youth centre Nagla, Roja youth ences will promote knowledge and experience exchange. One of these will in nature. We will actively seek out “invisible people” to include them in the leisure centre Strops. be the international bicycle non-conference Cycling for Libraries Jūrmala in series. These are people who don’t usually get a lot of attention, who live quiet 2025 at which participants will link 13 libraries by cycling 320 km and visit EU institutions and other organisations: Latvian Acad- lives in high-rise buildings, but who are nevertheless an important part of their emy of Culture, European Parliament Liaison Office in communities, and who influence national events through their political en- cultural sites along the coast on the stretch Rīga-Jūrmala-Talsi-Tukums. An Latvia, EU country embassies in Latvia, EaP country international literacy conference will take place in 2026, and the International embassies, our partner counties’ twinning cities. gagement. With the help of various embassies, we will get access to European and international films about footprints that people have left on nature and Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) Satellite Conference in 2027 will Timeframe: Activities will be implemented gradually on their communities. These will include winners of the European Parliament’s open the IFLA General Conference, which traditionally brings together around starting in 2025 and culminate in 2027. They will con- LUX Prize and form the central theme of the RojaL Film Festival. 3,500 librarians from around the world.  tinue after 2027 making use of the cooperation struc- tures developed during the ECoC year. Youth theatre groups from Jūrmala and the Tukums and Talsi counties will co- operate with international partners to get the Theatre on Wheels project Potential cooperation partners: moving and spread stand-up comedy throughout the region. The stand-ups Libraries and associations: The International Federation of Library Associations will draw people to towns, villages, marketplaces and farmsteads, get people and Institutions IFLA (NE), Library Association of Latvia, National Library of laughing together and help them reflect on their surroundings with humour. Latvia, The Jūrmala Central Library, Tukums Library, Talsi Central Library, Jaunpils Library, Kandava Library, Roja County Library, Engure Library. Other organisations: school and cultural institutions in Jūrmala, Ministry of Culture, Art!ficial Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Latvian National Commission for UNESCO, Tukums Writers’ Association, Talsi county Writers union, Latvian Writers’ Union. Technology is evolving rapidly. What feels futuristic and abstract right now, could Timeframe: 2025 – 2027. become reality in just a couple of years! It is difficult to predict what technologies there will be in 2027 and what surprises the future might hold in how tech- nology is used in art. In the run-up to the ECoC year, we will bring artists and tech professionals together to create new forms of culture and hybrid events at various workshops and hackathons. These will give them the space to come up with the best solutions for challenges like how to address climate change through art by using new technologies. Unity = Democracy Potential cooperation partners: Artificial intelligence (AI) is not only used for complex technology, but is increas- 2027 will be an important year for many significant events and programmes EU and national institutions: European Parliament, Euro­ ingly used to create works of art. With our AI Visions initiative, we will invite that have been milestones for the EU: it will be the 70th anniversary of the pean Commission, European Parliament Liaison Office students from our art and music schools, young people and professional artists Treaty of Rome, the 20th anniversary of the Treaty of Lisbon and the 40th an- in Latvia, European Commission Representation in Lat- via, Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Education to create works of art with AI. Visitors to the exhibition will not only be able niversary of the Erasmus+ programme. The ECoC will be a great opportunity Development Agency Republic of Latvia, the European to remind people of the core values and foundations of the EU: the European to see works of art or listen to music, but also co-create a piece themselves by Union, the embassies of EU candidate countries and using the AI tools available on site.  Charter of Fundamental Rights; the opportunities for cooperation and mobil- EaP countries, our partner counties’ twinning cities. ity; international education projects; ECoC volunteering programmes; the up- City and county youth centres and schools: Jūrmala, coming Latvian EU Presidency in 2028; the prospects of the new long-term Potential cooperation partners: Talsi county, Tukums county, Kandava, Jaunpils, Roja. Academies: Latvian Academy of Culture, The Art Academy of Latvia, Jāzeps Vītols EU budget after 2027. Europe Week will start on 4 May, the Day of the Other organisations: European Movement Latvia, the Latvian Academy of Music. Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia, and end on 9 May, University of Latvia, Charter of European Rural Commu- City and county art and music schools: Jūrmala, Tukums, Talsi, Valdemārpils, which is Europe Day. The embassies of EU member states and EaP countries, nities, Brussels Office of Latvian Association of Local Sabile, Kandava, Engure, Roja. representatives from twinning cities and other ECoC cities will be invited to and Regional Governments. City and county youth centres: Jūrmala, Tukums county, Talsi, Roja, Jaunpils. participate in Europe Day in Jūrmala to present and introduce their cultures. ECoC cities and candidate cities: Faro 2027, Braga Technology companies: Latvian Mobile Telephone, Microsoft Latvia, Latvian In- Local and international photographers will be invited to display their visions of 2027, Trenčin 2026. formation and communications technology association. the present and the future of Europe at a photography exhibition, and a youth Timeframe: 2027. Other organisations: AIArtists.org (US), Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art, theatre festival will be organised where young people will be encouraged to Kim? Contemporary Art Centre, the organisation Piekrastes konvents (Coastal improvise around how they perceive and interpret democracy. Games about Convention), the association Engures izglītības un kultūrvides attīstībai (organ- Latvia’s role in Europe and Europe’s role in Latvia will be organised to take place at schools as part of the Europe’s Footprints in Jūrmala isation for the development of education and culture in Engure), Roja ART LAB. and the Counties project. The games will help students think about features that European countries have in common, features that ECoC cities and candidate cities: Aveiro 2027, Trenčin 2026, Oeiras 2027. are unique, and learn interesting facts. They will promote cooperation, civic engagement and raise awareness about Latvia’s European Timeframe: This is a long-term project that will start in 2022. We will con- identity. The games will be educational and give the schoolchildren an understanding of the state and of democracy in action. We will work tinue to build on and implement the co-creation projects in 2027 and develop the collaboration in subsequent years. together with other small European municipalities at the Charter of European Rural Communities meeting in July 2027 to find shared solutions to the threat of climate change and ways in which to find mental and physical balance. 

24 25 Regional flagship event: Think Again, Use Again Environmental Pulse Potential artists: Agnese Narņicka (One Wolf), The Think Again, Use Again Festival will be the culmination of a series of Ieva Zāgmane. Think Again, Use Again events that will take place over several years. Each Potential cooperation partners: event is open to anyone who wants to use their hands, or share their recycling Environmental organisations: Ķemeri National Park, story. Their message is to repurpose the past to create a more sustainable Ķemeri Nature Education Centre, Green Liberty NGO, future. At the festival, people will be able to attend a recycled fashion show, Coalition Clean Baltic (SE), World Wildlife Fund (INT), concerts, dance performances and other unique events. Guests will also be Re:pair Café movement. able to repurpose used or found materials into art. There will be educational Artist associations: Tukums Artists’ Group, Roja ART Main flagship event: events that will strengthen and promote intergenerational cooperation where LAB, Talsi Bush Art Group, the creative association people will be encouraged to mend, improve and transform objects and adapt RAD-DAR, Jūrmala Artists’ Group, Latviešu sapnis (Lat- All the Railway is a Stage them for new uses. In cooperation with partners from Portugal and other vian Dream). The railway that runs through Jūrmala is one of our ARTeries. It countries guests will be able to create outdoor sculptures from debris and litter City and county art and music schools: Jūrmala Tuku- connects the city with Rīga and our neighbouring municipalities. found on beaches to draw attention to pollution and responsible consumer ms, Talsi, Valdemārpils, Sabile, Engure, Kandava, Roja, The residents of Jūrmala and Tukums use the railway daily, as practices. By involving children and young adults in developing and promoting Dundaga. do visitors to our region. Taking the train is the most sustainable green thinking, we will create a cooperation network of coastal eco-schools City and county youth centres: Jūrmala, Talsi county, and environmentally friendly way to get to Jūrmala. Being what and educational institutions by 2027. We will also start a creative platform Tukums county, Jaunpils, Kandava, Roja. residents and visitors first see upon arrival, our stations are the Think Again, Use Again that will focus on environmental culture and circular Other organisations: Art Academy of Latvia, Talsi coun- face of the city. There are 14 railway stations in the territory of economy. We will organise creative eco-city laboratories at the nature educa- ty amateur artistic groups, Talsi Regional Museum, Talsi Jūrmala, five of which have been designated as architectural mon- tion centre in Ķemeri. county cultural centres and manors, waste manage- uments of national or local significance. As technology evolves, ment companies, the organisation Piekrastes konvents stations lose their primary function and are underutilised. They Through a cooperation between the Fashion Department at the Art Academy (Coastal Convention), Union of the Baltic Cities (INT). become symbols that tell the stories of individuals, families and of Latvia and various art schools and high schools, creative sustainable fash- ECoC cities and candidate cities: Faro 2027, Leiria communities, and hold both painful and happy memories from ion design programmes and fashion shows will be developed and implement- 2027, Trenčín 2026. ed throughout the counties. These will help draw attention to the impact that Latvian history. Timeframe: Activities will be implemented gradually the fashion industry has on the environment and the role it plays in climate starting in 2024 and culminate in 2027. They will con- Involving locals, artists, local governments and the Latvian Rail- change. The events will culminate in 2017 with the show Salvaged Fashion tinue after 2027 making use of the cooperation struc- way, we will start a Station Renaissance! Stations have the in cooperation with designer Agnese Narņicka (One Wolf), which is intended tures developed during the ECoC year. potential to be unique places for creativity. They can become edu- to become a long-term tradition.  cational, cultural and artistic spaces, or platforms for local resi- dents to co-create. Trains, stations and their surrounding areas can become blank canvases on which new, creative and inclusive works of art can emerge. Experiencing and appreciating this art “Lace Architecture” and the modern urban environment can become a casual part of everyday life. Jūrmala is home to unique wooden buildings that date back to the 19th and Putting on events in trains is an effective way in which to reach early 20th century, which locals call “lace architecture”. Yet still, all too often out to visitors coming to the city, as well as to engage people these incredible wooden buildings are demolished due to ignorance. This rich who, for various reasons, cannot afford to enjoy other cultural cultural heritage doesn’t just speak to who we were or who we are today, but events. We will bring art into railway carriages through the Trains also to who we want to be. Architecture is a recognised resource for the city’s Educate campaign. Videos telling the story of different stations identity and its economic development as it contributes to the city’s global and neighbourhoods or that highlight the most significant art and competitiveness. The New European Bauhaus initiative is currently very rel- culture from the area will be shown on screens in the carriages, evant in Europe. This is an initiative that gives classic Bauhaus values new and on personal smart devices. meaning through European green policies. The initiative raises interesting It will be the 150th anniversary of the railway line from Rīga to questions: How does preserving cultural heritage interact with developing the Tukums on 21 September 2027. This will be celebrated with the urban environment? How can preserving and developing wooden architecture sprawling performance All the Railway is a Stage that will en- not only cultivate old skills and crafts, but also reduce the negative effects tertain passengers traveling this stretch. A contemporary curator of climate change? Other ECoC cities, and our twinning cities will be invited will bring together a mix of both local and international, traditional to the international conference The Role of Cultural Heritage in Sustain- and dazzling performances that will highlight the cultures of dif- able Urban Development to share their good practices and experience with ferent neighbourhoods, twinning cities or other ECoC cities. The how cultural heritage and the urban environment can coexist. We will invite artists will welcome passengers disembarking from trains, enter- leading cultural heritage experts from ICOMOS, Europa Nostra, urban plan- tain them while they wait, and see people off as they go about ners and architects, and cultural heritage expert Hermann Parzinger. An inter- their day.  national symposium on art and public spaces in the urban environment will Potential cooperation partners: be organised in 2025 in the lead up to the conference. This symposium will EU, national and international organisations: National gather artists, architects and urban planners in Jūrmala. In 2026, a labora- Cultural Heritage Board (LV), International Council of Potential cooperation partners: Cultural organisations: Latvian National Centre for Culture, The As- tory of ideas and solutions will challenge young architects and urban planners Museums ICOM (FR), International Council on Monu- sociation of Latvian Culture Centres, dance groups in Jūrmala and to answer the question: How to make high-rise neighbourhoods open and ments and Sites ICOMOS (FR), Europa Nostra (BE), the partner counties, artists, musicians, writers, the Latvian cultural inviting to the public? European Commission, The New European Bauhaus ambassador program of the Latvian National Centre for Culture, Initiative, The Ministry of Economics. The wooden building that now houses the Jūrmala City Museum in Majori (on Tukums Culture Centre, Tukums Writers’ Union, Jūrmala Culture Cen- Associations and other organisations: Kurzeme wood th tre (LV), Art Station Dubulti, Community centre in Smarde Railway 15 Lienes iela) was built as a residential summer house in the early 20 cen- design centre, Koka Rīga wooden building renovation station, minority organisations, twinning cities, embassies. tury. The house will be restored and the interior will be recreated to reflect the centre, Latvian Association of Architects, Latvian Asso- Businesses and other organisations: Latvian Railway, Pasažieru resort town design from the time when it was built. The project will serve as ciation of Local Governments, cultural heritage experts, vilciens railway company, Latvian Railway History Museum, a model to showcase green construction principles in wooden architectural architects, artists, urban planners, representatives of Vulca.org – Casa Branca Makers Space (PT). heritage restoration and the rooms will be supplemented with interactive cultural heritage organisations, representatives from our partner region’s twinning cities. ECoC cities and candidate cities: Evora 2027, Faro 2027, Rīga and educational programmes for young people. The Craft House in the old 2014, Aveiro 2027. Ķemeri post office building will host open arts and crafts workshops and a ECoC cities and candidate cities: Trenčin 2026. Timeframe: 2022 – 2028. wood restoration centre as well as a series of seminars and master classes on Timeframe: 2025, 2026 and 2027. how to best preserve our tangible and intangible cultural heritage. 

26 27 Nature as a Stage Potential artists: Iveta Apkalna, Jurmala Beach Band, dance group Jūrmaldancis, folk singing group Inspired by the Sunrise Concert on the beach that opened the Jūrmala Fes- Saucējas, Saulkrasti mixed choir Anima, Kristaps Kriev­ tival in Latvia’s centenary year, the ECoC programme will put on a series of kalns, Kārlis Kazāks, Ainārs Rubiķis, Jānis Ozols, the musical adventures letting nature take centre stage. We want our audiences choir Maska, Ints Teterovskis, the choir Balsis. to experience an epiphany, be it by dancing in a marsh, playing music on a Potential cooperation partners: beach, singing on the banks of a river, or acting in a town square. Cultural and other organisations: Dzintari Concert Hall, Latvijas Koncerti, Nature Concerthall, L Tips Agency, Choir music holds a very special place in Latvia. We will celebrate the human Balsis Music and Art Development Fund, Choral Festival voice by inviting choirs from different European countries to sing by the sea Network (INT), European Choral Association (DE), Es- in the nocturnal concert From Sunset to Sunrise, participate in a Traditional tonian Choral Association (EE), Lithuania Cantat (LT). singing performance, experience the Nature Concerthall or partake in a Silent City and county cultural centres: Jūrmala, Tukums city, Concert at night, where we will have to take the utmost care not to disturb the Kandava, Matkule, Roja, Viesati, Jaunpils, Talsi county sleeping birds around us. With these concert experiences we will show that we cultural centres and manors, Saieta Nams community are one with nature, and that we have more to gain from listening and observ- centre in Engure. ing, than from destroying or hurting. This series will culminate in the Jūrmala Other organisations: Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Festival that will start with the Sunrise Concert where Iveta Apkalns will play Music, Ķemeri National Park, Valguma Pasaule recre- the organ on the beach at Dzintari. In the evening, the concert Born in Latvia- ation centre. Europe will fill the Dzintari Concert Hall. Every young Latvian musician will be ECoC cities and candidate cities: Oulu 2026, Tampere able to invite a musician from another European country to participate in the 2026. Pro-Nature, Pro-Art concert and play a programme led by conductor Ainārs Rubiķis. At night, the Potential cooperation partners: Timeframe: The concert series will start in 2025, Jūrmala Beach Band will play rhythmic jazz on the beach, and fadu artists will Artist associations: the Pedvāle association, the Roja ART LAB association, Tukums Art is a powerful tool for drawing attention to cli- and the biggest concerts will take place in 2027. introduce listeners to traditional Portuguese singing.  artists’ association, Talsi Bush Art Group, the creative association RAD-DAR, Jūrmala mate change, and to call for humans and nature artists’ association, Latvieša sapnis (Latvian Dream). to coexist on an equal footing. We will attract lo- Cultural and other organisations: The Art Academy of Latvia, Art Station Dubulti, cal and international artists to create a platform Tukums Museum, Jūrmala City Museum, Sculpture Quadrennial Riga, Vilnius Painting for discussions and workshop creative ideas that Triennial (LT), Union of the Baltic Cities (INT). will use art to attract attention, persuade and Other organisations: the organisation Piekrastes konvents (Coastal Convention), the possibly to shock. This will include association Engures izglītības un kultūrvides attīstībai (organisation for the devel- artist resi­ opment of education and culture in Engure), “Apeirons” Organization of People with dencies that are open to international artists Disabilities and Their Friends, Roja invalid society, Sabile art, culture and tourism at the Pedvāle Art Park, projects in the urban centre, Valguma Pasaule recreation centre. environment and in nature that young people, City and county art schools: Jūrmala, Tukums, Roja, Talsi, Valdemārpils, Sabile, Kandava, seniors and artists have co-created, as well as Engure. wheelchair art events. The relationship between City and county youth centres: Jūrmala, Talxi county, Tukums county, Jaunpils, Kandava. humans and nature will be the theme of the inter- ECoC cities and candidate cities: Guarda 2027, Evora 2027, Braga 2027, Aveiro 2027. national children and youth art competition I Live Timeframe: 2025 – 2028. by the Sea and the international sea-themed bi- ennale Marīna. 

Future Gardens Modern Life by Martin Parr Many historic parks surround the castles and manors in our region. There are also At the centre of British documentary photograp- a number of newer parks, green areas and private gardens. With the Natural her Martin Parr’s world-famous exhibition Modern Gardens popular movement, we will invite people to see them with new eyes and Life is his Jūrmala series that was made in the late revisit the green areas that help preserve the biodiversity of our region. To promote 1990s. The way Parr documents life, his anthro- the wealth of our parks and gardens, we will work to be included in the European pological touch and the honesty of the moments Route of Historic gardens of the Cultural Routes initiative of the Council of he captures creates universal images that make Europe. In order to achieve this, we will educate ourselves, exchange experiences us contemplate identity, society and the environ- and of course, restore and revitalise our historic gardens.  ment. Modern Life is like looking at ourselves, but from a historical distance. In February 2027, Parr Potential cooperation partners: will give a public lecture during the exhibition. The National and international organisations: National Nature Conservation Agency, World opening of the exhibition at the end of 2026 is Wildlife Fund, The European Institute of Cultural Routes (EICR), Ministry of Foreign intended to announce the start of the Jūrmala Affairs, Latvian Cultural Heritage Agency, Newcastles of the World (INT), European Historic Houses Association (BE). ECoC year.  Other organisations: Kandava Region Opportunity Foundation, Latvian Association of Private Historic Buildings, Moirunams association, Bulduri Gardening College. Castles and parks: Jaunpils Castle, Jaunmokas Palace, Šlokenbeka Castle, Durbe Manor, Kukšas Manor, Spāre Manor, Tiņģere Manor, Strazde Manor, Talsi Regional Museum, Artists: Martin Parr (UK). Firkspedvāle Manor House, Ziedonis garden in Mālkalns. Potential cooperation partners: Mag- ECoC cities and candidate cities: Tampere 2026, Aveiro 2027. num Photos (USA, UK), Art Station Dubulti (LV). Activities will be implemented gradually starting in 2024 and culmi- Timeframe: Timeframe: Exhibition in Art Station Dubulti nate in 2027. They will continue after 2027 making use of the cooperation structures from November 2026 – February 2027. developed during the ECoC year.

28 29 Opening event: ARTeries SlowDown Festival We will open the ECoC year by bringing together nature, light Let’s take a break from our daily grind to spend time in na- and music. Visitors will be introduced to the programme’s ture and enjoy cultural experiences in this way, restoring our themes, events and people through a performance that will sense of balance. We will present a range of art, music and awaken the senses, both inside the Dzintari Concert Hall drama therapies and invite visitors to participate in sand and and outside it. The event will also be available live remotely. forest therapy workshops. Let us regain our health together!

Bon Voyage Winter Plunge with Rainis New discoveries and novel experiences await as contempo- We will read the poetry of Rainis, a Jūrmala native and a rary art moves beyond conventional exhibition venues and towering figure of Latvian poetry, to sharpen our minds. To embarks on a journey through the region on water, land and strengthen our bodies, on the other hand, we will take an rail. The innovative art space Art Station Dubulti is the centre ice-cold dip in the Baltic Sea and invite people all along the for this exhibition that has been created by an international coast from Jūrmala to Cape Kolka to join us. group of curators and artists.

Way of Light for Latvia Steps in the Sand We will light candles to create a way of light in different cit- We will bring several thousand dancers together in a ies across the region on the day of the proclamation of the 140-kilometre-long choreographed folk dance stretching Republic of Latvia. This event invites people to appreciate from Jūrmala to Cape Kolka. Dancers on the shores of the Latvia as an independent and democratic country within the Black and Mediterranean Seas will join our dancers on the European community. shore of the Baltic Sea to encourage the public to reflect on the fragile relationship between humans and nature.

Culture in Signs Art!ficial In Latvia, mittens aren’t just for keeping your hands warm! In the lead-up to the ECoC year, we will become a platform The knitted patterns also carry a message, and each region where artists and tech professionals can collaborate. We will has different knitting traditions. Similarly in Portugal, orna- create an amazing cultural experience at the intersection of mental tiles are not just decorative, they are also an impor- these disciplines where familiar art formats will be trans- tant and distinctive cultural expression. In a series of applied formed into new, technology-driven ones. workshops, we will invite you to knit Portuguese motifs into mittens and paint Latvian ethnographic patterns on tiles, in this way learning more about both cultures.

All the Railway is a Stage Think Again, Use Again Festival th To celebrate the 150 anniversary of the Riga–Tukums rail- The festival will conclude a series of Think Again, Use Again way line, each station along the route will be transformed events that will focus on issues concerning pollution, the into a stage for different performances. Passengers will be environment and circular economy, and include activities able to listen to different kinds of music and see dance, or that promote green thinking. As part of this series, we will theatre performances while waiting for, disembarking from or hold a recycled fashion show and create art from recycled while they are still onboard their train. Through these perfor- objects. mances, passengers will be able to explore the cultural his- tory of the different neighbourhoods and our partner cities.

Lace architecture Community Spirit Jūrmala’s unique wooden architectural heritage is a signifi- Regardless of age, nationality or worldview it is natural to cant resource in the city’s economic growth. This means that desire to live in beautiful surroundings and not to feel like a conservation is important to us, as is developing the urban stranger in one’s own backyard, to participate and contrib- environment, preserving historical skills and being environ- ute to a neighbourhood and to a city. At these events, we mentally responsible. We will pay special attention to the will co-create and improve our neighbourhoods, learn how topic of cultural heritage in sustainable urban development. to cooperate and represent our interests, and get involved in municipal development planning.

30 31 Explain succinctly how the cultural programme will combine How has the city involved, or how does it plan to involve Q12 local cultural heritage and traditional art forms with new, local artists and cultural organisations in the conception Q13 innovative and experimental cultural expressions? and implementation of the cultural programme?

There are many renowned professional art- Through the Health Pulse we will encourage The concept of the Co-creation Pulse ists and musicians, craftspeople, choirs and people to become more active while look- can best be understood through the cho- dance groups in Jūrmala and our partner ing for a balance in their mental and physi- reographed group dance Steps in the Sand counties. Their work can be seen in tradi- cal wellbeing. The Big Clean-up is a popular showing how traditions can be challenged tional venues, like concert halls, cultural event in Latvia each spring. We will hold and transformed. It will be the longest col- centres, open-air stages, museums, ex- our own clean-up event, Healthy Nature – lective folk dance event on a beach, and hibition halls. However, only a fraction of Healthy Body, to compliment this nationwide it will take place in Latvia and also all over the population that would be interested in movement. By inviting a physiotherapist we the world! It will be filmed with drones and these events visit these traditional venues. will impart valuable lessons about health broadcast live in our partner countries. Just and educate people about the importance of as the traditional Latvian Dance Festival, So how can we engage the people who the work they are doing not only to preserve Steps in the Sand will bring together a large are difficult to convince to visit a muse­ nature, but also how they can maintain their number of participants, but in our case, um or a cultural centre? Our programme own health. And why not combine learn- they will be dancing on the shores of dif- addresses this by going to where people ing about cultural and historical sites with ferent seas and oceans. We will not only already are, by going to the Pulse locations. exercise and be guided by an augmented place folk dancing in a new setting, but We’ll display our local cultural heritage and reality trainer that you can access on your also give it new meaning by making it a both traditional and innovative art forms smartphone? Everyone has heard of beach tool for conversations between humans and nature and between people in dif­ at these locations. We will give traditional volleyball in the summer, but what about ferent countries. To give traditional folk activities an extraordinary twist. We will beach volleyball in the winter? Swimming Generating creative ideas ties, such as Art Station Dubulti, Dzintari from the creative sector in Jūrmala and from challenge people to look at everyday crafts, specifically knitting mittens, a new Concert Hall, the Jūrmala City Museum, our cooperation partners. They will advise in the summer is the traditional thing to do, context we have created the event Culture Jūrmala has prioritised involving local resi- things in a new light by showing clas- Jūrmala Central Library, Pedvāle Art Park. on the creative programme, assess the pro- but with Winter Plunge with Rainis we invite in Signs. At this event, we will invite people dents and cultural professionals in writing sic paintings in trains, putting organs on gramme in relation to the objectives and you to join us for a swim at the coldest time to knit traditional Portuguese tile patterns the ECoC application, not only in the prepa- beaches, working Portuguese tile patterns of year and enjoy our beaches during a new into mittens and to paint Latvian symbols ration process, but also in implementing the We based our programme on help evaluate the programme’s impact (see into Latvian mittens, dancing on train plat- season! Running along the beach is simple, onto tiles. We will make the Theatre on programme. Representatives from cultural ideas that local residents and art­ Q32). forms, on a beach or swamp boardwalk. We but we will challenge you to run in the sea at Wheels project happen together with local institutions and local artists’ and photog- ists submitted to the Ideas Bank will encourage people to write poetry direct- The municipality is already organising open a depth of 20 cm. We will organise a series of young people. This event will be brought to raphers’ associations, local and nationally with the expectation that they ly onto the street with crayons, or organise voyages or outings in small groups together calls for co-financing cultural projects: life by young actors riding around Jūrmala, recognised sculptors and teachers from the would be able to implement their conferences and plays on bicycles. We will with artists as part of the international con- “The accessibility of professional arts in Talsi and Tukums on their bicycles to gather Art Academy of Latvia – Olga Šilova, Gļebs projects as part of the ECoC. You invite people to go outdoors, to new unex- temporary art exhibition Bon Voyage. In this Jūrmala”, “Promoting the creativity and di- inspiration for an improvisational theatre Panteļejevs and Kristaps Gulbis – actively would be hard-pressed to find a pected locations in order to experience cul- way visitors will be able to enjoy different versity of culture in Jūrmala” and “Open call performance. In Art!ficial workshops and participated in developing the programme. project in the programme that will ture in real life. This past year has shown us forms of art in a variety of locations, such as hackathons, artists and tech professionals for citizens’ initiatives in the cultural sector”. Jolanta Borīte from the Latvian Centenary not be implemented by, or involve that we have had enough of life online! in a boat on a river, in urban environments, in will explore the opportunities of blending New open calls for co-financing cultural office LV100, Lilita Sparāne, who is an ex- We want to be together, we want culture villas and in the courtyards between high-rise information technology and art. The idea a local artist or cultural organisa­ projects will be created and the terms of and we want to experience it in a safe way. buildings. is to enable artificial intelligence to create pert in the development of Latvian creative tion. existing co-financing competitions will be works of art through interactions with an industries, and Signe Adamoviča, one of restructured in order for the widest possible exhibition’s visitors. the founders of the creative economy and range of local artists and cultural organisa- cultural policy think-tank CreativityLab, Several of our main and regional flagship In the traditional tions to be able to participate in implement- Environmental Pulse, also joined our discussions. events, such as Steps in the Sand, Culture large-scale events will be transformed into in Signs and Neighbourhoods in Motion, ing activities from the programme. personal, almost intimate experiences by In response to an open call to help create were chosen from projects proposed by our Young creative minds involving and working with the environ- our cultural programme more than 280 partner municipalities Talsi and Tukums, ment around us. The Nature Stage will al- ideas for cultural programmes were submit- with the respective authors of the ideas Many of the young creative minds who will low audiences to spend peaceful evenings ted to the Ideas Bank, 50 of which came taking on their implementation. We desig­ be part of the ECoC programme and who and dynamic mornings by listening to music from cultural professionals and cultural in- will shape our cultural life in years to come in unconventional places – on beaches, in ned the main events at each Pulse loca- stitutions from Jūrmala and our partners. are today still in school. We have detailed marshes, and in forests. The performance tion so that they would take place in both Talsi county and other partners also or- plans for how to cooperate with school- All the Railway is a Stage will turn stations Jūrmala as well as in cities located in our children and with young people in general and platforms into stages and passengers ganised creative discussions and meetings partner municipalities. For example, the into audiences. Meanwhile, Natural Gar- to evaluate the submitted ideas together. choreographed dance Steps in the Sand (see Q19). Reaching out to art and music dens will transform the city’s manicured Artists from Jūrmala and our partners par- will take place all along the seashore from schools is important for initiating coopera- lawns into lush, flowering meadows. ticipated in developing the ECoC logo (see Jūrmala to Cape Kolka and the performance tion with young artists and musicians. To- Q17). All the Railway is a Stage will involve both gether, we will be exploring ways in which To mark the ending of the ECoC year an to fuse art with information technology and augmented reality event will reach out from the Jūrmala and Tukums municipalities. By the people, for the people learn how to tame AI. This will be done at Jūrmala and be available throughout Latvia Direct involvement in and even further. We will create AR replicas Our plan is for at least 80 % of local art- workshops and hackathons together with implementation and monitoring of the outdoor sculpture Pinecone in Jūrmala ists and cultural experts to be involved in these budding talents. Through Commu­nity through which we will be able to look back implementing the programme and for about An advisory council will be established for placemaking we will draw, plan and sing at the highlights of the ECoC year in a visu- 20 % of events to be curated by members the ECoC project to strengthen links with out ideas to create new places in neigh- ally striking, contemporary, environmentally of cultural institutions and associations local artists and cultural organisations, bourhoods that correspond to residents’ friendly, interesting and accessible way.  from Jūrmala and our partner municipali- which will be composed of representatives needs. 

32 33 embassies, we will invite other countries Climate change, the environ- Cultural Heritage in Sustainable Urban and cities in the region to participate in ment and green thinking Development”, the think-tank “How to European dimension Europe Day events, conferences, the These are interconnected global and lo- Make High-rise Neighbourhoods Open Steps in the Sand folk dance event, sym- cal issues that affect people’s daily lives, and Friendly to the Public”. posia and workshops through artist resi- habits and health and we have devoted (Artists, organisations, cities, countries dencies at the Pedvāle Art Park, the All the the Environmental Pulse to them: mentioned under specific activities in Railway is a Stage event, Neighbourfest Q11). events and in other events from the  To highlight all the beautiful, frag- ECoC programme. ile, wonderful and, unfortunately, Together with international partners (e.g. Give a general outline of the activities foreseen in view of: also the terrible things that humans Union of Baltic Cities, European Festivals Health, emotional wellbeing have caused and need to change: the Association, ECoC cities) we will look for Q14  Promoting the cultural diversity of Europe, intercultural dialogue and greater and social inclusion Marīna biennial, the RojaL Film Festi- solutions for how we can create culture mutual understanding between European citizens; Health and emotional wellbeing have be- val, the competition I Live by the Sea, and arts events in nature that leave a min- come priorities both locally and interna- the outdoor sculpture exhibition Equi- imal ecological footprint in order to keep  Highlighting the common aspects of European cultures, heritage and history, tionally. A series of events popularising librium, the Natural Gardens move- our natural heritage intact. as well as European integration and current European themes; art therapy and an active lifestyle will cul- ment, a series of outdoor concerts, minate in the SlowDown Festival, which artist residencies at the Pedvāle Art Ready for the digital age is to become a regular tradition. Interna- Developing technology and digitalisation is  Featuring European artists, cooperation with operators and cities in different countries, Park. tional organisations such as the European a priority for the EU, and art isn’t far be- and transnational partnerships.  To emphasise environmentally friendly Federation of Art Therapy will be invited transport: All the Railway is a Stage. hind. In the run-up to the ECoC year, we to participate in organising the festival. will organise hackathons to give creatives The groundwork that will be laid here will  To show how resources can be used in and tech professionals the chance to find continue to offer practical solutions for a responsible and sustainable way and original ways in which to merge art, IT and preventive health care, reducing social ex- how consumer habits can be changed: AI. By doing this, we will make sure that clusion, depression and anxiety, and will the Think Again, Use Again series, the projects we implement in 2027 are We’ve been working on our ECoC applica- in co-creation. These are the ideas we Erasmus+ programme. For young people, focus on young people, seniors and peo- an international sustainable fashion relevant and innovative. The hackathons tion at a time that has been very challeng- have woven into our ECoC programme. To these events are already history, but given ple with disabilities. Jūrmala is planning to show. will be organised in cooperation with ECoC ing for the whole world. Travel has been reinforce this global network and commu- our totalitarian past and the rise of popu- create Digital Escape Zones on the beach,  To discuss urban development and cities and various international organisa- restricted, national borders have been nication is to reinforce democracy. These lism in Europe and the world, it’s important where people will be encouraged to put the challenges of energy efficiency tions (e.g. AIArtists.org). closed, and people have been isolated are our ARTeries. The values and ideas to highlight where our European values away their phones for a moment to get a and restoring wooden architecture: an due to the Covid-19 pandemic. These are outlined here are our privilege as European and goals come from. We will implement well-deserved break from technology. Our international symposium for artists, Cultural diversity and variety barriers that would once have seemed un- citizens, and the fundamental principles of cultural projects that emphasise the EU’s events will be designed so that everyone architects and urban planners, the Developing the ECoC programme, we spoke thinkable in a Europe that has free move- Creative Europe. values and various topical issues in co- will be able to participate and enjoy them. international conference “The Role of with our people and responded to their ment as one its fundamental pillars. On operation with the European Parliament The European Union’s motto “united in Liaison Office, the European Commission a political level, our representatives are diversity” can also be applied to our ECoC Representation, public bodies, embassies looking for solutions to the global socio- programme. We recognise how our unique and the Charter of European Rural Com- economic crisis. On a psychological level, experience can benefit Europe, and how munities. These will include Europe Week the emotional strain of the restrictions has the diversity of European experiences can and Europe’s footprints in Jūrmala and increased anxiety and fatigue. On a social in exchange help us. Our programme is de- the counties. The target audience of these level, the many unknowns have resulted in signed to provide many opportunities for projects is young people, as in six years’ fear and rising aggression and intolerance. involvement and co-creation. We want to time they will be the ones involved in art, On top of this, scientists are sounding invite partners from different countries to science, politics and business. Engaging alarm bells about environmental pollution come to Jūrmala so that we can explore the them is essential for Latvia and for the and the increasingly unpredictable effects wealth of cultures from both Europe and whole of Europe. The Erasmus+ exchange of climate change, the media is reporting the world, and in turn share our experience programme and volunteering for ECoC on growing consumption and depleting and traditions with them. natural resources, and the possibility of projects in Jūrmala and other ECoC cities new viruses looms in the future. The pan- Shared European values will provide young people from different demic has really illustrated that we all live for a shared future countries with opportunities to gain first- in a single interconnected network that Democracy is undeniably one of the values hand work experience and is a great way knows no borders. Global events inevita- that unites Europe. Democracy is not just to promote intercultural dialogue. bly affect us here in Jūrmala, in the north a top-down system, however. With this in Meeting point between of Europe. It would be foolish to deny this, mind, the activities in our programme place East and West to bury our head in the sand and hope that a strong emphasis on mobilising citizens Looking back at our history, Jūrmala was we somehow stand apart. on a grassroots level. Fostering unity and one of the most popular resort towns in engagement in neighbourhoods will de- We come from a totalitarian past. We the Soviet Union. The Dzintari Concert mystify power structures and have a ripple know what it’s like to live in denial, to Hall became Latvia’s cultural calling card in effect empowering people to participate in have our speech and our free movement the East. The classical and modern music decision-making on a municipal, national restricted. We know what it’s like to have concerts and festivals that took place here and even on the EU level. our nature subjugated in the interests of were broadcast to all the republics of the development. Now, however, we see our 2027 will mark the 70th anniversary of Soviet Union. Jūrmala has retained this place in this global interconnected net- the Treaty of Rome, the 20th anniversary reputation and it forms the foundation for work. We reap its benefits and we give of the Treaty of Lisbon, which gave legal our intercultural cooperation with twinning back. We take responsibility for the part force to the EU Charter of Fundamental cities in EaP countries like Brovary, Odessa we play in the environment, in health and Rights, and the 40th anniversary of the (Ukraine) and Batumi (Georgia). Through

34 35 wishes to see and hear more of Europe Historical and ethnographic We are aware that we need to get more than they have until now. Our activities are cultural signs involved in international cultural and Can you explain your overall strategy to attract the interest therefore designed to promote coopera- The beloved Latvian poet Imants Ziedo- other professional networks. This is not Q15 tion between municipalities, professionals nis once had this to say about traditional only crucial for us to be able to implement of a broad European and international public? and citizens by involving artists, collectives Latvian mittens: “Latvians go out into our ECoC programme successfully, but and organisations from different countries the world wearing patterned mittens and also to help us improve culture, the urban in Europe and the rest of the world. Some throw them into the treasure chest of cul- environment, architecture, arts and health of the events from our programme that will tures along with Persian rugs, Indian and in our city in general. As a first step, we bring international influences into our city have started exploring cooperation oppor- Japanese silks, Chinese porcelain, Rus- Jūrmala is well known as a resort town and Those interested in professional art with the opportunity to experience how art are the film series Neighbours’ Footprints, tunities with, amongst others, the follow- sian woodcuts, Brussels lace and latticed as a tourist destination in Lithuania, Esto- events will have plenty of concerts and and nature interact. Established events, ing organisations: the Design Dubulti project, Martin Parr’s Caucasian metalwork.” Mittens adorned nia and Russia, as well as in other coun- festivals to look forward to. The Dzintari such as the international sea-themed bien- photography exhibition Modern Life, the with ethnographic signs and symbols have tries of the former Soviet Union (including Concert Hall will host performances by nale Marīna, which already attracts more Jūrmala Festival, the Culture in Signs se- been a popular and meaningful gift in Lat- Co-creation Pulse Belarus and Ukraine). Most tourists that internationally renowned musicians such than 100 artists from 12 countries, will be ries of applied arts workshops, the All the via for centuries. This year, however, mit- come to Jūrmala are from these countries. as Gidon Kremer, Iveta Apkalna, Casa da scaled up to attract even more artists from  Railway is a Stage performances and the tens were suddenly thrust into the global Cultural Routes of the Council of Because of our active participation in tour- Musica, the Cryptic Theatre from Glasgow, a variety of countries. The target audience contemporary art exhibition Bon Voyage. limelight. The unexpected reason was Europe (European Route of Historic ism fairs and exhibitions, tourism from the Sigrid Strøm Reibo and the Artemis Quar- for these events is the general public, local American politician Bernie Sanders, whose Gardens, European resorts), Nordic countries (Finland and Sweden) is and international artists and professional (Artists, organisations, cities and coun- tet with Vineta Sareika. People drawn to handmade mittens stole the show at the  The European Festivals Association, increasing. Although this is a good start, the visual arts, on the other hand, will be networks. tries are mentioned by specific activities in seasonality is still a factor – Jūrmala is still inauguration of the current US President.  The European House for Culture, able to appreciate the contemporary exhi- Q11). predominantly a popular destination during International visitors and partners who are Spotting this, the keen eyes of netizens bitions in Art Station Dubulti, or choose  The European Network of Cultural the summer season, but we want to break interested in becoming co-creators will We will not only get to know different cul- and commentators swiftly made mittens to go on an individualised art adventure Centres, this pattern. have ample opportunity to get involved tures through external cooperation proj- into the season’s most coveted acces- with a “Bon Voyage” tour where they will in our events. Participation plays an impor-  The European platform IN SITU, ects, but we value that Jūrmala itself is a sory! Portuguese azulejo art, on the other Events for different interests get to enjoy the works of John Bock, Rag- tant role in our strategy. Everyone will be multicultural and multinational city. The hand, doesn’t need an introduction. Portu-  International Society for the Perform- and needs, from high culture nar Kjartansson, Jordi Colomer, Anna Ķirse, able to feel that they’re a part of and enjoy travelling festival Neighbourfest will pro- guese painted tiles are a well-known, valu- ing Arts, to personal experiences Krista Burāne, Kristaps Epners and others. the SlowDown Festival, learn new skills vide a space for the diversity of our own able and unique cultural expression. The  Federation of European Photogra- To attract international attention also dur- Visitors will also be able to go back in time at Think Again, Use Again events, help minorities’ cultures and traditions to be ECoC programme will feature the and see what Jūrmala was like in the 1990s Culture phers, ing the off-season, we are planning a seen and heard. in Signs series of applied workshops through the photographs of the world-  Newcastles of the World, packed programme throughout the year. where both cultural legacies will come This will include large-scale events famous documentary photographer Dance – a European cultural  European Historic Houses Associa- together: Latvian ethnographic signs stretching over 100 km along the sea- Martin Parr or learn about socialist heritage tion, will be painted onto Portuguese tiles front as well as small personal excur- book design in Latvia. The work- Every nationality has its own characteris- and Portuguese ornaments will be knit-  Choral Festival Network, sions with artists. We are taking the shops, symposiums, and art tic dance: some are well known and some ted into Latvian mittens. Portugal will be  European Choral Association, different expectations of our diversi- projects offered as part less so, some are fiery and unrestrained, introduced to Latvian ethnographic heri- into account. We are in- of the artist residencies  International Council on Monuments fied audience and some are calm and formal. UNESCO tage in cooperation with among others the spired by how a beach in Jūrmala is divided, at the Pedvāle Art and Sites ICOMOS. has recognised the traditional large-scale National Tile Museum Museu Nacional do where there is an active area for sports and Park will provide Baltic Song and Dance Festivals as being Azulejo, while in Latvia, craftsmen and art games, and a quiet area where you can re- visitors Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible school students will study the ornaments Health Pulse lax. Our principle for the ECoC programme Heritage of Humanity. To emphasise this from the azulejo tiles to then knit them is therefore for everyone to be able  International Winter Swimming Asso- tradition and the importance of folk danc- into traditional Kurzeme mittens. to find something they need from ciation, ing, the event Steps in the Sand will show- the variety of art and culture case our unique cultural and historical tra- Reviving our international  International Light Festivals Organisa- we will offer: relaxation and dition to Europe on a grand scale. Dancers cooperation network tion. peace, or energy and and enthusiasts from Jūrmala’s twinning Jūrmala has experience in organising in- action; to observe cities in France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, ternational music competitions, festivals, Environmental Pulse and listen, or to Estonia, Lithuania, Georgia, other ECoC concerts, exhibitions and workshops with participate. cities, and from anywhere in the world will world-class artists. We have a strong net-  Re:pair Cafe International and Re:pair be welcome to join in this ambitious cho- work of international partners who orga- Cafe Europe, reography. nise activities in Jūrmala (like concerts,  Green European Foundation. exhibitions, masterclasses, lectures and European and international artists, ex- Latvia has a strong tradition of amateur creative meetings) that are also included perts and organisations are listed in Q11 dance groups. This is something that we in the city’s festivals: the EC Representa- and we are continuing to work on cooper- are proud of and want to promote. It pro- tion, the EP Liaison Office, the EU House, ating and establishing collaborations. vides an excellent foundation on which embassies and 19 cooperation cities to build a narrative about the diversity of in 15 countries (Canada, China, Esto- Looking at other cities’ ECoC experience, European and world cultures. We will in- nia, Finland, France, Georgia, Israel, Italy, we can see how these programmes change corporate performances by music, dance Lithuania, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, Turk- and evolve in response to local and global or folk-art groups from different countries menistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan). Jūrmala events. We realise that we also need to be into our ECoC programme to foster inter- actively participates in the Union of Bal- ready for change and stay open to new cultural dialogue and build on this cultural tic Cities, which is a network of 70 cities ideas. Europe is not made up of paperwork narrative. We will supplement these per- in 10 countries, and is a member of the and conferences. Europe is made up of formances with fresh ideas about how to European Healthy Cities network. In people and their lives. We are the ones organise sustainable outdoor activities, preparing our programme we have also who tell the European story to one an- and lay the foundations for an active life- started cooperating with several ECoC cit- other, to future generations and to other Twinning cities * And other twinning cities in China, Georgia, Israel, Russia, Tatarstan, Turkey, style as a preventive health measure. ies (see Q16). countries and continents.  EcoC cities Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. 36 37 co-create the opening event, attend events We are convinced that the topics that we in the Sand, Culture in Signs, and Think during Europe Week and participate in the raise in our programme are important to Again, Use Again. To what extent do you plan to develop links between your folk dance event Steps in the Sand on health, looking for mental and everyone: Professionals are a special target audience the shores of the Baltic Sea. We challenge cultural programme and the cultural programme of other Q16 physical balance and ways in which to re- and, as we already stated in Q14, we aim those looking for more of an adventure to gain it; the environment and how to pre- to work on developing our networks. This cities holding the European Capital of Culture title? impersonate a Baltic Sea seal for a day and serve it for future generations; co-creation includes organising conferences to bring take a bracing dip at the Winter Plunge as a way to build unity, cooperation and, together professionals and experts from with Rainis event, named after the great dare we say, European democracy itself. different cultural disciplines and other sec- Latvian poet Rainis. The target audience for These are all topics that we believe appeal tors (like the arts, environment, health, ur- these events are students and families with To develop our own ECoC cultural pro- to the broadest possible international audi- ban planning and development, education, children from Latvia and abroad. ence. gramme, we have studied and evaluated psychology, library science, architecture the programmes of other cities that have There is also plenty to do for those guests Ways in which to attract and other fields). These meetings will culti- received ECoC status. Preparing the ECoC who enjoy culture, but tend to avoid crowds new audiences vate the public’s and professionals’ interest programme, we learned from the examples and instead look for peace, quiet and and at the same time create a platform for While we are confident that our events will of Rīga 2014 (Latvia), Umeå 2014 (Swe- balance. These guests can walk around the further cooperation and the development cater to a variety of tastes and interests, den), Kaunas 2022 (Lithuania), Tartu city and explore the subtleties of our “lace of common projects in the future. this does not guarantee that they will be 2024 (Estonia) and Bodø 2024 (Norway) architecture”, go for a Sea Hike along the able to attract the attention of interna- Our art and music schools are a huge as- in particular. We have already discussed sea, use any of our Green Arteries to revel in nature, cycle through blooming meadows tional audiences. Something that we will set, and our talented children and youth ways in which we could cooperate with along the bike path from Jūrmala from Rīga be mindful of in the run-up to the ECoC can help us stand out internationally. The several other candidate cities like Guar- and admire the artworks that have been year is the availability of information international competitions that these da, Évora, Faro, Coimbra, Leiria, Braga, placed along the way, or get the space for about our events and the accessibility schools organise put Jūrmala confidently Oeiras and Aveiro in Portugal, Oulu and introspection at any of the Digital Escape of the events themselves. Our proximity on the map more effectively than any ad- Tampere in Finland and Trenčin in Slovakia. Zones throughout the city. We know of no to Rīga is an indisputable advantage. The vertising campaign could. For example, We are currently exploring shared issues other European city that can offer as many capital is a hub for international tourists the children and youth international visual and potential cooperation projects with activities as we can within the boundaries because of Riga Airport, which is the larg- arts competition I Live by the Sea attracts Elefsina 2023 (Greece), Timișoara 2023 of one small city. These activities can be est international airport in the Baltic States, 500 organisations and 4,600 entries from (Romania), Veszprém 2023 (Hungary), combined with exploring Kurzeme’s charm- and the Rail Baltica railway, which will con- 29 countries. Bad Ischl 2024 (Austria), Chemnitz 2025 nect us to all the major cities in the region. ing small towns – Tukums, Talsi, Kandava Our twinning cities, foreign embassies (Germany) and Nova Gorica 2025 (Slo­ We are cooperating and developing proj- exchange visits organised by the Nordic and Sabile – or Northern Kurzeme’s tranquil Jūrmala’s ECoC programme is only 30 min- and the Union of the Baltic Cities, with venia). ects about Council of Ministers, to Tampere in Finland, fishing villages.Silence, peace and space utes away from Rīga! This, and the fact that whom we have extensive cooperation in cultural environment issues Strengthening local communities is an in our programme together with Oulu, for example, which will facilitate exchanges are qualities that tourists from urban­ the events and activities will take place in disseminating information, also act as important aspect of city life and something ised European countries already appre­ locations and at times convenient for visi- strategic partners in attracting audiences Guarda and Aveiro. We share an interest in between the Baltic and Nordic countries. tors from Rīga, will undoubtedly make them that poses a challenge to Jūrmala, and to health and an active lifestyle with Oulu, ciate when coming here. Information about from countries in the Baltic Sea Region to Cultural heritage, specifically our wood- our new partner counties in the future. which has already expressed a willingness all of these experiences will be widely avail- even more of a draw and will help attract Jūrmala. ECoC is an excellent platform for en and modern architecture, links us with Rīga faced a similar challenge in the run-up to organise certain activities from our pro- able around the city, in hotels, at tourism tourists from target countries (see Q34) refreshing partnerships with Jūrmala’s and the ECoC candidate city Oeiras, and two to their ECoC year in 2014. We will learn gramme in their city in 2027, such as the information points and online. to Jūrmala (see the additional benefits of our regional partner counties’ twinning cit- ECoC cities preceding us, Tartu 2024 and from their experience and reinvigorate winter swim. transport, hospitality and accessibility de- ies (see map on p.37) and for reaching di- Kaunas 2022. We plan to develop joint neighbourhood cooperation. We have also scribed in Q37). Imagine boarding a train verse audiences with our projects and joint We feel that a very important aspect of co- projects with them because of this shared started communicating with Bodø 2024 during your visit to Rīga and having an marketing activities. operation is to supplement our cultural pro- theme. Additionally, we want to develop a unexpected cultural experience, for exam- and Tampere to learn how to best cooper- gramme with guest artists and through collaboration between counties in Kurzeme ple by watching an As Jūrmala is located in the centre of Latvia, ate with our citizens during the ECoC year, All The Railway is a artist exchange programmes. To facili- and the Portuguese ECoC candidate cities performance, or by listening to any our geographic position allows us to be- and how to integrate them into city life in Stage tate this, we will offer all ECoC cities and that revolve around our local Kurzeme mit- of the stories about differ- come a hub from which guests will easily be general. We are developing lasting coop- Trains Educate embassies the opportunity to take part in tens and Portuguese tile patterns. ent artists or stations. able to visit the other Latvian candidate eration with both cities and our project ap- events in Jūrmala leading up to 2027 so cities Kuldīga, Cēsis, Liepāja, Daugavpils, plication to the Nordic-Baltic Mobility and Covid-19 has made digital communication One of the ways in which the Covid-19 that they can present their programmes. Valmiera, Jēkabpils, Jelgava and Ogre dur- Network Programme for Public Administra- essential to a much greater extent than it pandemic has changed our everyday lives These cities include the European Capitals ing the ECoC year to learn about the unique was before. The trend of providing ways in is that it has increased the use of online tion has already been approved. of Culture Tartu 2024, Bodø 2024, and features of their ECoC programmes. We will which people can participate in events technologies. This has allowed people to the cities from Finland and Slovakia that encourage the whole of Latvia to co-create! The city that inspired us with how they remotely is likely to continue in the post- communicate and enjoy cultural events will hold the title in 2026. The cities that engaged youth in the ECoC programme pandemic era. This poses a challenge, but even during lockdown and under various Our strategy is based on being proactive will come after us will have the opportunity and in volunteering was Kaunas 2022. at the same time it offers us more oppor­ restrictions. Even though we believe that and staying open to dialogue, to exchang- to participate in Europe Week, Europe Day, Jūrmala will offer all ECoC cities the oppor- tunities to engage with events in other people will be able to travel freely in 2027, ing ideas and to co-creation. Our approach All the Railway is a Stage and in other is to “keep an open mind”. If we were to be tunity to set up volunteer networks as part ECoC cities and invite their citizens to we will still make use of various technolo­ events, giving them space to publicise their presented with an unexpected surprise, like of the Erasmus+ programme to give young participate in our events online. One gies because of how they can make events culture and ECoC programmes. In the same the opportunity to communicate with a new people the opportunity to get experience in of our strategies will be unified commu- feel closer and more accessible. We will way, we plan to present our programme by civilisation from another planet and invite it international cultural project planning and nication about the ECoC cities’ cultural therefore try to live stream all our flagship participating in events organised by neigh- to participate in our ECoC programme, we implementation. Participating in this pro- programmes. We will propose that we ex- events and record most others. bouring cities, such as Tartu 2024. would jump on it! Our approach that a cul- gramme, young people will also be able to change information with the Portuguese Jūrmala, and the Kurzeme region in general, ture based on universal respect facilitates learn about the culture of other cities. The We also want to develop cultural coop- 2027 ECoC city and the ECoC cities before has a very strong tradition of amateur dialogue with various peoples and minori- cities that have responded to this initiative eration through artist exchange pro­ and after us so that we can best coordi- artistic groups and crafts that we take a ties here on Earth is supported by our per- so far are Bodø in Norway, Oulu and Tam- grammes, using the residency at the nate the international communication and lot of pride in. Getting them involved in the sonal experience. This would, undoubtedly, pere in Finland, Aveiro, Oeiras and Guarda Pedvāle Art Park as a hub. Evora, Gvarda marketing activities of our programmes. In programme will help launch international also be the best way in which to initiate a in Portugal and Trenčin in Slovakia, but we and Aveiro in Portugal have already shown 2025 and 2026, we will launch a section initiatives and attract audiences from dialogue with extraterrestrial civilisations, are looking forward to seeing more cities interest in partnering with us. We will on our website with information on other different countries to events such as Steps should the opportunity arise.  get involved. also make use of the culture and the arts ECoC cities and their programmes.  38 39 is often due to a lack of experience that The logo represents the five young people in Latvia can face difficulties Outreach arteries that connect Jūrmala to in finding jobs. Introducing organised vol- the world, and the world to Jūrmala. unteering work practices in several munici- The lines in the logo portray these palities, including in Jūrmala, is the key for arteries – they convey motion and them to get this experience. We will provide are of differing lengths suggesting volunteering positions at different levels of that at times one is more significant, the municipality and in cooperation with lo- at times another. cal businesses and other interested parties. Explain how the local population and your civil society We will set up a Mentoring Programme and have been involved in the preparation of the application invite entrepreneurs, creatives and staff Q17 from the municipality to become mentors Toms Vītiņš, a multimedia artist from for our young people. We will continually Jūrmala, ended up with the winning and will participate in the implementation of the year. test and improve the programme, and it will submission, while the artists Baiba Jir- continue on after 2027. gena and Krista Miltiņa, from our part- ner municipalities, were runners up. Small projects, which have been con­ Based on this experience, we will build an ECoC volunteering programme that will be To keep this flow of creative ideas going, ceived of and designed with love, are a open to everyone. It could be a challenge and to allow as many people as possible stepping stone for us to change and be to convince adults of the benefits of volun- to express themselves, we kicked off 2021 Local residents as both decision- open to new experiences. makers, and project creators teering, but we have every reason to believe by launching the With this Ideas Bank. Volunteering that people will be responsive considering initiative, we invited the city’s residents, In the run-up to the ECoC year, we will in- Our JIC has a lot of experience with host- that the The Big Cleanup event brings to- NGOs and event organisers to submit their volve citizens’ representatives in decision ing young people from other countries, as gether more than 100,000 volunteers all dreams and visions for what they wanted making on the ECoC Supervisory Council well as with coordinating opportunities for over Latvia each spring. We see our volun- to see implemented as part of the ECoC and in the Citizens’ Forum (see more in youth from Jūrmala to volunteer abroad. The teers as not only being able to help us with programme. Within a few weeks, we had Q32). We will also launch open calls for proposals that will be open to all citizens Jūrmala JIC is actively working on improving simple tasks, but also to get involved in the received more than 150 ideas! and interest groups. Even if the projects and developing a unified system for volun- programme as exhibition curators, to con- We are grateful to the Jūrmala Youth Ini- that are submitted may be small, this type teering locally by promoting volunteering as duct post-event surveys, help us with our tiative Centre (JIC) for the work they have of competition aligns with our approach to an opportunity to gain a variety of lifelong communications, or as sponsorship consul- done together with youth to develop a vi- the ECoC year. learning skills and practical experience. It tants, amongst other things.  sion for activities that young people would find interesting in the ECoC programme. The JIC will also support us in preparing for the ECoC year by implementing the pro- gramme’s events and by involving young people in creating and enjoying them (see more in Q19). Explain how you intend to create opportunities for participation When our partner municipalities responded Q18 to our offer to contribute to the ECoC pro- of marginalised and disadvantaged groups. gramme, we opened the Ideas Bank up to 2020 and early 2021 were very chal- ists, health professionals and enthusiasts, the citizens from our partner regions as lenging years because of the restrictions residents from Jūrmala, entrepreneurs, rep- well. We received many surprising ideas, imposed on us due to the Covid-19 pan- resentatives of minority groups and experts both big and small, fun and serious. Trying demic. As we were writing this proposal, to choose which ones to include in our cul- in various fields. Although meeting online Each neighbourhood in Jūrmala is differ- Seniors we did not have the opportunity to meet can sometimes make participation more tural programme proved to be a real chal- ent, and so are their residents and our visi- The population of Europe is ageing, and our people in person, or to visit and learn passive, we managed to inspire our groups lenge. We wanted to include them all, tors. We do not intend to organise special Latvia, Jūrmala and its partner munici- from previous ECoC cities. It naturally also to feel free to share their opinions and de- but that would have required using up programmes for seniors or devote specific palities are following the same trend. In affected how our team was able to meet velop the ideas that our application was the entire national budget. That’s how days to the Roma or create special activi- Jūrmala, just over one fifth of the 57,000 to discuss ideas. This of course does not consequently based on. creative our partners and the people of ties for people with disabilities. Rather, we inhabitants (about 12,500 people) are of mean that we isolated ourselves from the Jūrmala are! It breaks our hearts that we We also invited residents to participate in intend to give all residents an equal oppor- retirement age. Many seniors are at risk of world. On the contrary, we used technol­ had to choose, but ultimately we could only social exclusion due to low income, poor an online survey. It was through these tunity to participate in and co-create any ogy to find out what our citizens think select the ideas that best corresponded to health, diminished social ties or a lack of conversations and from the results of event during the ECoC year. about the cultural life in Jūrmala, vari­ our strategic principles (outlined in Q10) Our goal is the digital skills that are crucial to navigat- the survey that we understood what the ous issues and the city’s unique selling and those that addressed the challenges to create events where everyone feels ing daily life today. We will work closely with points. city’s challenges are and were able to that our three Pulses represent. welcome! Some groups might, however, active retirement groups in the city and in address them in our application. We got need additional support. the counties in order to involve seniors in Recognising the creative potential of In order to keep in touch, keep discussing more than 130 ideas for a wide range of our cultural events. We will reach out to We have identifiedfour groups of people and keep ideas flowing, we had to go digi- both larger and smaller events and environ- our residents, we invited them to sub- seniors in as personal a way as possible tal. As it turned out, it’s often much easier mental and infrastructure projects out of mit proposals for our ECoC logo and who will receive extra attention: by going to the places where they already ended up with 51 amazing ideas! We got to arrange meetings online than to try to these creative discussions. We won’t even  seniors, spend a lot of time, like community centres, coordinate them in person! We held eight try to list the countless Zoom calls by the children and young people, artists and social care centres or libraries. We will not structured discussions in order to brain- creative team and the brainstorms that we other professionals involved in generat-  people with disabilities, only reach out to provide information about storm ideas, which attracted more than had with NGOs, event organisers, cultural ing ideas. In one case three generations  people of different nationalities, our events, but also to talk about the con- 200 participants, cultural professionals, institutions, partner cities, as well as all the from the same family submitted ideas. tents of our programme in order to find out young people, environmentalists, urban- personal calls with local artists and others.  poor and low-income citizens. what their interests are, as well as to assess

40 41 Explain your overall strategy for audience development, Q19 and in particular the link with education and the participation of schools.

The community’s power the Latvian Academy of Culture and the interests. This form of participation will to attract new audiences Art Academy of Latvia. In 2022, we plan also be used to help implement the ECoC to sign a cooperation agreement with the programme. Part of our ECoC programme involves en- Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music gaging and including audiences over the Young people were invited to join focus and possibly also with other universities. course of several years. We will help our groups as the ECoC programme was be- Jūrmala State Gymnasium already co- citizens see that you don’t have to be the ing developed so that we could learn what operates with Riga Technical University, best painter, singer, musician or dancer in they are interested in and come up with the University College of Economics and order to co-create and participate in a cul- new ideas together. The JIC cooperated Culture in Latvia, the BA School of Busi- tural experience. Our small, cosy Pulse lo- with young people to submit projects ness and Finance, as well as the Institute cations are the way in which to engage the that would interest them to the Ideas their needs and what possibilities they have sociations working with these groups (e.g. There is a significant Roma community of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy of broadest possible audience. Bank. To increase their understanding of for participation, including transport needs. the Latvian Society of the Blind, Latvian in Jūrmala and our partner regions. It is the University of Latvia. We will use the and interest in the contents of our ECoC We will also involve senior dance groups, Association of the Deaf, etc.). Information well known that many Roma in Latvia still students’ and teachers’ creative ideas A programme for neighbours programme, we will provide students choirs and crafts groups to encourage se- will also be disseminated through organisa- face difficulties in fully integrating into the and bring them to life through our ECoC and neighbourhoods with topics that they can research dur- niors to co-create events. tions that provide social services. To ensure education system, the labour market and programme. that people with mental disabilities are able society. We will reach out to them and to In this programme, we will talk to people ing their annual Project Weeks. Once Intergenerational cooperation is a way for to attend and appreciate the contents of the other nationalities that live in Jūrmala in various neighbourhoods so that we can Youth – the audiences and this comes to a close, we will organise older generations to pass on their experi- our programme, we will set up a support through minority organisations, embas- develop activities and events together. We co-creators of today and tomorrow joint discussions with the help of which ence, and for younger generations to ex- want to make sure that events are relevant we aim to identify and include activi- programme that will provide individual as- sies and social media to involve them in There are 58 educational institutions plain modern developments and bring vital- to people so that they are genuinely inter- ties that interest young people into the sistants at all events. We will also make events and at the same time give them the with more than 14,000 pupils in Jūrmala ity to seniors’ lives. Already now, students ested in participating. Participation does ECoC programme. In order to implement sure that a certain number of seats are opportunity to show us their rich cultures. and its partner counties Tukums and Talsi. from Jūrmala State Gymnasium are cooper- not just mean being a listener or spectator. these ideas, there will be a youth initiative reserved for wheelchair users and their as- This will be done by including them as co- Bulduri Horticultural Secondary School is ating with students from the Art Academy It means taking part in organising and com- project competition through which it will sistants, including at paid events. creators in various ECoC events, for exam- another significant partner, and Jūrmala of Latvia to create an urban environment municating with one another which in turn be possible to obtain municipal funding. “Nothing about us without us” is the guid- ple in Neighborfest events, in the Neigh- has already established a creative coop- that is creative and suitable for senior strengthens people’s sense of belonging to To help implement their ideas, financial ing principle of the UN’s Convention on the bours’ Footprints film series, or by dancing eration with them to landscape the city’s citizens. We will build our future activities a neighbourhood. We will plan and develop instruments, project competitions and Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN- together in Steps in the Sand. green areas. around the results of this cooperation. cultural strategies together with cultural national and European networks in the CRPD). In order to respect this principle al- Poor and low-income people People with disabilities ready during the development of our ECoC operators from across the region. A large Young people bring creative energy to youth field will also be utilised. Unemployed people, single parents and se- application, we provided sign language part of our cultural programme will consist the city. Preparing the ECoC programme, Making culture accessible to people with nior citizens, especially single seniors, are of workshops, hackathons, placemaking we have outlined a youth engagement Engaging street youth disabilities is one of the most important interpreters so that people with hearing impairments could take part in our focus particularly at risk of social exclusion due to events and discussions. programme with the JIC as coordina- Of course, not all young people go to parts of building an inclusive society. Even their limited financial means. According to tors in order to involve young people school, study, learn a profession or work. though most cultural institutions, especially group discussions, as well as NGOs rep- Events everywhere – nearby resenting people with visual and mobility the State Employment Agency, the unem- and give them the chance to express These are the young people who are also those that have been renovated in recent ployment rate in Jūrmala at the beginning and online themselves. Soon, the JIC will move into generally dismissive of traditional cultural years, have been made accessible, we ex- impairments. This cooperation will continue of 2021 was 5.8 %. 74.9 % of single se- The basis of our audience engagement the new Youth Centre in Kauguri, which events. Efforts to involve and engage pect challenges when organising events so as to include people with disabilities in niors, 53 % of pensioners and 26.2 % of strategy is to reach people through cultural will become a new space for fresh ideas. them will be a specific area that we focus outdoors or in unusual spaces (e.g. in his- co-creating our cultural events. Wheelchair single parents are at risk of poverty in Lat- events in places where they already spend Additionally, there are also experienced on. Part of our activities include Com- toric buildings and spaces that have not dancers will, for example, participate in the large folk dance event Steps in the Sand, via. Being in a precarious financial situation time (like on trains, at stations, in super- and dedicated youth initiative centres in munity Placemaking, which will involve yet been renovated). To find solutions, we and our Wheelchair Art event will be acces- can affect people’s mental health, and be- markets, at sporting events, etc.). We will our partner counties, Talsi and Tukums. youth in the process of transforming plac- will cooperate with organisations such as sible, where one of the challenges will be to cause they are so focused on solving their take part in fairs, town festivals and These will ensure that local youth will get es. Their involvement will make sure that Apeirons, which is an association of people create an artwork on climate change. problems they might not have the space to Fishermen’s Festivals bringing a touch involved in ECoC events. we work on places that are actually im- with disabilities and their friends, as well pay attention to cultural events. In addition of Europe with us. We will introduce portant to them and implement activities as with similar local organisations. We will Different nationalities To involve schoolchildren, we have an to the social support these groups already local residents to different European that are useful to them. We will research develop recommendations for event organ- agreement to set up a school coordi­ Jūrmala is diverse. With 49 %, Latvians receive from the Jūrmala Municipality, we Wherever and look into what young people from our isers that will not only include guidelines cultures, art forms and people. nation network. Cooperation between make up almost half of the population, and will pay particular attention to engaging possible, we will arrange for live broadcasts city are interested in to gauge the need for making venues physically accessible, schools is crucial to ensure that informa- 35 % are Russian. Other nationalities in- them in our cultural events. or recordings of events to be made avail- for a form of street youth work. This form but also information about other measures tion about the opportunities and events clude Belarusians, Ukrainians, Poles, Jews, able online or on television. This will make of work would need to be appropriate to they can take, such as providing support We will work together with the social ser- of the ECoC programme is disseminated the Roma, etc. There is a large influx of holi- our events accessible not only in Latvia, but the city of Jūrmala, considering its geog- staff, assistants, sign language interpret- vices to find ways in which to reach out to at schools so that children learn about daymakers in the summers, which makes also further afield. raphy, and be able to reach groups that ers, transport services to venues, etc. them and encourage participation. To give events that they can attend, help co- the city even more rich and diverse. as many people as possible the opportu- JIC activities have not been able to reach Students – a source of create and volunteer at. By using braille, spatial drawings, audio Kauguri is a residential area where more than nity to take part in the ECoC programme, so far. Street youth work involves attract- incredible ideas guides and sign language, we will ensure 30 % of Jūrmala’s population lives making it most events will be free of charge. Events The Jūrmala Youth Council is an addi- ing young specialists who have training that information about our events is ac- the most densely populated area of the city. will also be organised in many different lo- There aren’t any higher education insti- tional instrument with which to involve to be in the places where young people cessible to people with different types of The proportion of Russian-speaking citizens cations, including close to neighbourhoods tutions in Jūrmala or our partner munici- young people. The Council actively con- actually live. In this way, it would be pos- functional disabilities. This includes the is the highest here. By organising events where more socially at-risk populations live. palities, but this does not mean that our tributes to young people’s social lives in sible to involve young people in activi- ECoC website as well as on location at our close to where people live, by creating recre- Using the experience we will gain during work will exclude them. Our closeness to addition to the local authorities and the ties that they enjoy, encourage them to events. We will make sure that the informa- ational areas and co-creation opportunities, the ECoC year, we will choose projects Rīga makes all the universities and acad- JIC. The Youth Council is a platform that develop their talents and skills, including tion about our events and opportunities for we will continue to integrate the different and approaches that will continue be­ emies in the capital our partners. Jūrmala has access to the Jūrmala City Council through the ECoC programme, such as how to get involved is also available for as- communities of Jūrmala. yond 2027.  already has cooperation agreements with and can therefore defend young people’s with sporting events or graffiti art, etc.  42 43 Management – Finance Q23 Overall operating budget.

Euro From the From the From the public sector 14,000,000 public sector private sector Q20 From the private sector 1,000,000 Annual budget for culture in the city. 93% 7% Total income 15,000,000 to cover operating expenditure

Annual budget for culture Annual budget for culture in the city YEAR in the city (euro) (in % of the total annual budget for the city) 2017 4,235,798 5.8 % 2018 6,441,852 7.8 % Q24 2019 5,543,394 6.2 % Income from the public sector to cover operating expenditure. 2020 4,751,352 5.3 % 2021 6,745,278 5.4 % City Income from the public sector Region euro to cover operating expenditure The annual budget for culture includes all costs related to the The increase in the budget for culture leading up to 2018, and 47.14% 2.86% National Government 6,000,000 maintenance of all cultural institutions in Jūrmala (including the the drop off after, is due to the extensive celebrations for the Dzintari Concert Hall and its share capital), staff salaries, event / Latvian centenary in 2018.  City 6,600,000 project costs, sports and recreation, but excludes infrastructure. Region 400,000 National EU (with exception of Government EU 1,000,000 the Melina Mercouri Prize)* 42.86% 7.14% Total 14,000,000 Q21 * Although most EU funds and programmes for the new planning period are currently still under discussion, we have identified several programmes whose priori- Plans for using the cultural budget to financeJūrmala 2027. ties closely correspond to our ECoC objectives. Programmes that we could submit projects to include: the Creative Europe Media programme for film projects, to boost the creative industries in our partner regions, for artist and cultural professional mobility (e.g. the I-Portunus initiative); The Citizenship, Equality, Rights and Values programme for citizen engagement and participation activities, or the Daphne programme so that we could provide art therapy for women who have suffered from domestic violence; Erasmus+ for teacher and student mobility and to encourage our youth to take part in European democracy; We will not be using the existing municipal cultural budget di- refocused towards the ECoC programme. By supplementing the Horizon to find sustainable solutions to preserve our wooden architecture; the Life programme to teach owners of wooden buildings how to renovate them in a environment friendly way, or to find ways to preserve our biological diversity; could be a source for active lifestyle projects for senior citizens; rectly in order to fund the ECoC programme. We will keep existing criteria of co-funding programmes, existing cultural projects will EU4Health Cross-border programmes like Interreg Baltic Sea Region, Estonia-Latvia, Latvia-Belarus and EEA grants will provide opportunities for closer cooperation with cultural co-financing target programmes in place, but from 2022 not be affected, but will rather be supported in a more targeted our neighbours. All these programmes foresee involving international partners and will therefore serve as a foundation for broader international cooperation we will adjust them and add new criteria that promote European way and linked to ECoC objectives and the new Jūrmala City Cul- within the ECoC project. values, align with themes that are topical in Europe, and encour- tural Development Plan 2023 – 2029. Starting in 2025, we will age civic engagement and responsibility among citizens. Start- develop additional targeted co-funding programmes that will be ing from 2024, the existing programmes will also gradually be focused on implementing the ECoC programme’s strands.  Q25 Financial commitment to cover operating expenditure.

By approving this application, Jūrmala City ties Tukums and Talsi. Tukums county will structures will be in place. be merged with Kandava, Jaunpils and Q22 Council has made an initial approval of the At the time of submission, the national Intended amount of the overall budget to be spent for culture after the ECoC year. total budget to cover the costs of the ECoC Engure, and Talsi county will be merged authorities have not yet made a decision programme. It is expected that the Council with Dundaga, Roja and Mērsrags. The regarding funding for the ECoC year. The will take the final decision on the amount of new municipal councils of the Tukums and funding amount from the state budget in The resources allocated to Considering that new cultural infrastructure funding at the end of 2021, which ties in Talsi counties will not start work until July Q24 is based on a letter from the Ministry culture between 2017 and The budget is expected to increase be­ is being developed in Jūrmala in the run-up to with the preparations of the second phase 2021, so they are not yet able to make of Culture on 23 February 2021, saying 2021 made up 5.3 % – 7.8 % cause the new open calls for citizens’ ini­ the ECoC year (e.g. a new multifunctional na- of the application. The City of Jūrmala’s budgeting decisions on behalf of the new that up to 50 % of the ECoC programme’s of the Jūrmala municipal bud- tiatives that will activate neighbourhoods, ture education centre in Ķemeri is being con- planned contribution is 6,6 m euros. municipalities. They will take a decision budget, but not exceeding 10m euros, get. Taking the new activities develop communities and improve the ur­ structed, the Ķemeri post office is being con- on the amount of funding at the end of could be publicly funded (excluding wag- ban environment, will continue. New co- As we are preparing our application, there that will be implemented lead- verted into the Crafts House, a youth centre 2021 after agreeing on the funding model es, overheads and administration expen- funding target programmes will be set up is an ongoing administrative-territorial ing up to the ECoC year into is being created in Kauguri, the Jūrmala City for ECoC, which ties in with the prepara- ditures). The final decision will be made to develop liveable urban design, imple­ reform in Latvia. After the local elections account, and including the Museum is being restored and the Dzintari tions of the second phase of the applica- in 2023 and specific amounts of public ment new studies on wellbeing, promote on 5 June 2021 there will be 42 local tion. The 400,000 euro investment that ECoC year, the annual bud- Concert Hall is being renovated) additional funding will be determined in medium- heritage conservation, active and green authorities instead of the current 119. the counties have currently defined is up term budgetary frameworks for 2024, get for culture is expected funding will be needed to create content and lifestyles, nature therapies, etc. This reform will affect our partner coun- for negotiation as soon as the new legal 2025 and 2026.  to increase by around 10 %. organise events here. 

44 45 Q26 Fundraising strategy for support from private sponsors Q27 and for involving sponsors. Breakdown of the operating expenditure.

Programme Other Euro expenditure 2.2% Our fundraising strategy will be based on the largest companies in the region, NGOs We would like to thank all our supporters Programme expenditure 9,600,000 fostering cooperation between the munici- and municipalities, will provide crucial sup- in a public and eye-catching way. We will 64% pality and cultural operators, companies port in attracting sponsors. look for both digital solutions and ways Promotion and marketing 2,400,000 and NGOs. In this way we will be able to in which to display signage on loca­ Wages, Wages, overheads and administration We will develop a detailed sponsorship 2,670,000 generate new initiatives and ideas and tion throughout Jūrmala’s ARTeries (by Promotion overheads and programme with different types of spon- Other 330,000 end up with a varied programme of events. the sea, along cycle paths, by the train and marketing administration sorship opportunities in order to attract Sponsoring cultural events is not that com- tracks, by the riverside and in other lo­ Total programme expenditure 15,000,000 companies. Companies will, for example, 16% 17.8% mon in Jūrmala. Implementing the ECoC cations). These signs will take the shape of be able to become sponsors for the entire programme will build on proven experience specially designed, ergonomic benches that year, or just for a specific event. Depend- with co-financing and donation habits, will be installed at picturesque locations ing on the sponsor’s interest level and con- while at the same time creating new mech- throughout the city. They will feature the tribution capacity, we will offer visibility in anisms. names of various sponsors and donors and our marketing and promotional materials, will serve as a reminder of Jūrmala as ECoC media publications, urban spaces and in Funding from private sponsors long after 2027. We will also express our the design of individual events. In special We have already mentioned that sponsor- gratitude by including donors’ and sponsors’ cases, we will consider organising joint Q28 ing cultural events and donating are not names in digital art projects. New artworks Income from the public sector to cover capital expenditure. events if they align with the themes in our common practices in Jūrmala. We are, how- created by teams of artists and tech ex- ECoC programme. For example, we have ever, close to Rīga where some of Latvia’s perts at the hackathon could be based on already approached the major mobile tele- largest companies are based. This includes communications operator and technology donors’ names, for example. We see this as banks, state and municipal companies, in- Income from the public sector company Latvian Mobile Telephone who a challenge without a clearly visible solution, euro cluding Latvian Railways, the public rail- National City to cover capital expenditure* could lead and oversee the hackathons we meaning that we don’t want to limit people’s way company Pasažieru Vilciens, Latvian Government are planning and help us bring artists and ideas by defining a specific direction. National Government 700,000 Mobile Telephone, Latvian State Forests, 30% technology developers together to create Riga Forests, airBaltic, etc. We want to Open calls for projects 1% City 23,747,990 technology-based art. We would also like highlight that any cooperation partners will Region to approach companies such as Latvian We know that we face difficult times ahead 0 be carefully assessed. State Forests to create events that high- that might impede our plans for attracting EU (with exception of the Melina Other 24,053,570 light the impact that climate change is hav- private financing to our ECoC programme. Mercouri Prize) It is important for us that the com­ We will therefore build on our extensive (loan) EU ing on forests, or Latvian Railways to cre- Other (loan) 30,849,020 panies that we cooperate with are ate a joint vision for how to utilise railway experience in developing and implement- 39% 30% socially responsible and that their stations, and so on. ing co-financing programmes for both cul- Total 79,350,580 activities align with the priorities and tural projects and citizens’ initiatives, which values of Jūrmala’s ECoC programme. It is especially important to cooperate with motivates companies and organisations to * The capital expenditure of Jūrmala city foreseen for 2021 – 2027, various media outlets to get them on­ create interesting and innovative events in according to the preliminary Investment Plan. board as media sponsors. Thanks to our Jūrmala. The programme is based on the Working on our cultural programme we previous experience with organising large concept that in order for companies and have already approached several large events in Jūrmala, we have established good organisations to receive funding from companies and have received positive re- cooperation links with several media part- the municipality, they have to put in their sponses to cooperate in the future. These ners and we will be inviting them to become own funds in return. Currently, depending answers are not however definitive be- media sponsors of our ECoC programme. on the specifics of the programme, munici- cause of the uncertainty that the current pal co-financing can range from covering Q29 Donations Financial commitment to cover capital expenditure. crisis has created. We have started talking 20 % to 90 % of a project’s total costs. to the domestic public railway company The Jūrmala ECoC programme will be imple- Pasažieru Vilciens about the possibility of mented by a foundation, for which we will At the moment the municipality offers joint events, about support for marketing seek the status of public benefit organisa- co-financing for the following cultural pro- The capital expenditures listed in table There are plans to attract 24 m euros in activities, and about the possibility to of- tion. This will enable us to ensure that our grammes: “Access to professional arts in Q28 for the period from 2021 to 2027 Jūrmala is preliminarily planning EU funding between 2021 and 2027, fer discounted fares for passengers going donors get the appropriate tax benefits. Jūrmala”, “Promoting the diversity of cre- are systematically planned in accordance to invest a total of 79,3 m euros anticipating co-financing from the munic- to some of the major ECoC events. Many Donating to cultural events is not a com- ativity and cultural formats in Jūrmala”, “Call with the strategic long-term goals outlined to develop culture, tourism, the ipal budget. At the same time, there are in the Jūrmala City Development Strategy plans to find other funding opportunities. of the largest companies are already im- mon practice in Latvia, so we will build on for proposals for citizens’ initiatives in the environment, education, sports, 2010 – 2030, which is reflected in the In case this funding isn’t secured, we will plementing various support programmes the existing culture of private donation, cultural field”. An average of 25–30 proj- health and bicycle infrastructu­ in the cultural sector. We will reach out to which is mostly focused on social issues. ects are implemented through these pro- investment plan of the medium-term take out a loan from the State Treasury re to make Jūrmala an interna­ these and other large companies to look for We believe that we will be able to capture grammes every year, which attract private development planning document Jūrmala to partly finance the construction of in- tionally renowned, modern co­ shared interests. We will also initiate talks people’s interest with specific donation funding of up to 700,000 euros annually. City Development Programme 2014 – frastructure in certain areas. In 2022, with patrons of the arts such as the Boris targets, such as donating to build an Looking ahead to the ECoC year, we will 2022, as well as in the investment plan of astal resort and the most popu­ Jūrmala City Council will approve the in- and Ināra Teterev Foundation, the Zuzāns outdoor gym, light a footpath, buy new definitely developtargeted open calls and the Jūrmala City Development Programme lar resort town in the Baltic Sea vestment plan for 2023 – 2029, which family (Zuzeum), etc. The ECoC Communi- playground equipment, or to create in- incorporate the themes and principles from 2023 – 2029 document that is currently region by 2027. will identify real and potential funding cation Council, which will be composed of tergenerational meeting places in various our ECoC programme into the regulations of under development. sources and outline opportunities for na- public relations and marketing experts from neighbourhoods. the above-mentioned programmes.  tional and regional funding. 

46 47 Q30 Fundraising strategy for financial support from Union funds Management – Organisational structure to cover capital expenditure.

The Jūrmala City Council has systemati- external funding. One of the tasks of the opment of existing and planned projects of cally planned to attract funding from EU Development Department’s Infrastruc­ other municipal departments, institutions Please give an outline of the intended governance and delivery structure funds and other programmes to construct ture Investment Project Division is to and companies subordinated to the munici- Q32 for the implementation of the European Capital of Culture year. infrastructure projects defined by the city carry out and coordinate the attraction pality, to monitor their implementation and in each Cohesion Policy programming pe- of EU funding, or other external finan­ to provide post-implementation monitoring riod. In the new Cohesion Policy program- cial instruments from foreign and na­ (including for infrastructure projects). ming period for 2021 – 2027, Jūrmala City tional institutions for the development, Attracting external financing for projects Council plans to attract financing from EU implementation and the post-imple­ that are planned by the departments, insti- If Jūrmala is selected as the European curement, financial management, plan- ner regions. The Communication Council funds according to the main objectives of mentation monitoring of infrastructure tutions and companies of the Jūrmala City Capital of Culture in 2027, the Jūrmala City ning, evaluating and monitoring the impact will oversee the building of partnerships for the nationally approved operational pro- investment projects owned by the mu­ Council is determined by the council’s ordi- Council will establish the Jūrmala 2027 of ECoC activities, reporting, attracting EU joint communication activities and serve as gramme and the municipality’s strategic nicipality during the project monitoring nance “On the procedure for implementing Foundation. We have created a struc- and other funds, human resources, legal a channel for communicating with partners planning documents, which are hierarchi- period. This includes the Development De- projects co-financed by the EU and other ture that is as functional and transparent consultations, administrative support and and attracting sponsors. This council will be cally subordinate to the national strategic partment’s Project Division having to carry external financial instruments in Jūrmala as possible, that complies with principles the evaluation of co-financed projects. composed of public relations and marketing objectives. At the same time, it will consider of good governance and that will be able experts from the largest companies, NGOs out and coordinate the attraction of finan- City Municipality”. The ordinance defines We are planning to set up acquiring funding from the European Re- to deliver on the ECoC objectives in order advisory coun­ and municipalities in the region. cial resources from foreign and national in- the municipality’s procedures for the con- – a Cultural Advisory Council, a Com- covery and Resilience Facility and other EU to effectively prepare and implement the cils stitutions (including from the EU and other ception, implementation, completion and The Citizens’ Forum will be set up to eval- programmes. 2027 programme. munication Council and a Citizens’ Forum. financial instruments) and municipality follow-up on any projects financed by re- The Cultural Advisory Council will advise uate ideas, build partnerships and to estab- Jūrmala City Council has the administra- projects (not infrastructure projects). The sources from the EU or from other external The governance structure is made up of on the creative programme, assess the pro- lish communication channels with citizens, tive capacity and the know-how to attract unit’s task is also to coordinate the devel- financial instruments.  a Supervisory Council and a Management gramme’s relevance to the objectives, and foreseeing the participation of residents Board. The function of the Supervisory help evaluate the programme’s impact. This and associations from our neighbourhoods Council is to appoint the management of council will include international art curators, and from our partner counties. the executive structure and to approve the teaching staff from institutions of higher ed- It is expected that some technical tasks will financial and action plans. The Supervisory ucation and creative experts from our part- be outsourced.  Council is made up of representatives from the municipality, our partner municipalities, public authorities, civil society and culture. Q31 The Management Board is approved by the Supervisory Council. The Board’s func- Spending on new cultural infrastructure to be used for Jūrmala 2027. Supervisory Council tion is to ensure the alignment of the foun- dation’s activities with its objectives and their operational execution. This includes Infrastructure assets / objects Sum in EUROs TIME period staffing, budget planning and financial G overnance performance monitoring. The Management Management Board 1 The new multifunctional nature education centre construction project and landscaping 15,926,130 2021 – 2023 Board consists of a Chairperson and three the forest park in Ķemeri. Board Members. 2 Developing the multifunctional nature education centre’s services and completing 5,621,920 2021 – 2023 The executive structure consists of a the landscaping work of the forest park in Ķemeri. Improving the forest park territory, Director General and three Directors – an including a gazebo for smaller events, building premises and creating a permanent Artistic Director, a Communication Director Director General nature exhibition. and an Administrative Director. The Super- visory Council selects the Director General 3 Restoring the historical park at Ķemeri and regenerating degraded areas. 4,066,530 2021 and the Artistic Director through interna- tional open calls. The Director General and 4 Reconstruction and restoration of the Ķemeri water tower, which is a cultural 114,159 2021 the three Directors are also members of the Communication Administrative monument of national importance, and creating a tourist information centre with Management Board. The Artistic Direc­ Artistic Director Director Director a gallery and viewing platform. tor is responsible for planning and imple- D elivery menting the creative programme and for 5 Reconstructing the Ķemeri post office building to create the Crafts House. 187,075 2025 – 2027 establishing and maintaining creative part- nerships. They are also responsible for the 6 Creating a recreation park and youth centre in Kauguri. Constructing infrastructure 9,365,800 2021 – 2022 capacity building of cultural operators, for for recreation and for small and medium-sized businesses to be able to conduct their Artistic Programme Communication and Finance and Project regional and international cooperation and Team Public Participation Team Department business. Constructing a youth centre to support the business environment, youth for the evaluation of co-financed projects. employment and leisure activities. The Communication Director is respon- sible for communication (media, social 7 Reconstructing the Dzintari Concert Hall's Great Hall and landscaping the grounds. 12,237,940 2021 – 2025 media), marketing, sponsorship, participa- 8 Renovating the Jūrmala City Museum building at 15 Lienes iela to create architectural 130,000 2024 – 2027 tion and engagement, attracting local and cohesion with the modern museum building next to it. Installing the exhibition international audiences and the evaluation “Summer Residents in Jūrmala”. of co-financed projects. TheAdministra ­ Cultural tive Director is responsible for launching Advisory Communication Citizens’ 9 Creating open-air environmental objects in various neighbourhoods in Jūrmala. 129,050 2021 – 2026 open calls for projects, supervision, pro- Council Council Forum

48 49 Management – Contingency planning Management – Marketing and communication

Q33 What are the main strengths and weaknesses of your project? Please provide an outline of the city’s intended marketing and Q34 How are you planning to overcome weaknesses identified? communication strategy for the European Capital of Culture year.

When we applied for ECoC status in 2008, Our communication and marketing strategy languages and formats to guarantee we were the only city out of four that did is based on our programme’s objectives and the broadest possible attendance, Communication channels not pass the pre-selection stage. We have themes – health, co-creation and the en-  Credibility – to make sure that Jūrmala Our communication will be based on four vironment (Q4). These guidelines will also learned from our mistakes. Since then, is perceived as an open, safe, compe- directions: 1) the traditional media, 2) so- run through, accentuate and shape our Jūrmala has developed a good cultural in- tent and willing cooperation partner, cial media and other digital communication communication. frastructure. This time, we prepared our including as an ambassador of the EU’s platforms, 3) events, and most importantly application by taking the cultural interests values outside the EU, in this way in- 4) through our cooperation network. of our citizens into account as well as their creasing the number of international willingness to participate in organising Communication principles partnership projects that are imple- Media mented in Jūrmala and bringing new events. This approach has strengths that Our communication and marketing strategy Although the role of the media has less- inspiration and ideas into the city. we are proud of, and weaknesses, which we is based on three principles: ened in recent years, for many, it remains have identified in order to be able to look  Synergy and partnership – by working an important source of information. Espe- for the best solutions.  together with other organisations, part- Target audience cially digital media. We will not only prepare ners and people, we can reach a wider press releases about ECoC events, but also We consider the audience than we would be able to in- local population of facilitate interviews, articles and broadcasts Strengths Weaknesses Solutions dividually, Jūrmala and our partner municipalities in both the Latvian and international me- This application has been developed Cooperation with citizens, includ- A targeted programme to strengthen neighbourhood ini- to be a crucial target audience. They will dia. We will invite international journalists  Impact – by reaching people where they using a combination of bottom-up ing with community associations, tiatives by supporting new associations being created, be the ones who experience the events in to participate in ECoC events and we will are, and through the media they con- and top-down approaches. It incor- and these associations’ ability organising open project calls with a simplified application the ECoC programme most directly and will approach the media to become informa- sume, we can communicate with them porates the public’s opinions and is to implement different types of process, reducing bureaucracy for implementing these participate in their implementation. Other tion partners. We will build this cooperation in a more targeted way than by spend- tied to the city's policy planning docu- projects. ideas, organising training, creating real mechanisms for Latvian residents, in particular from near- gradually leading up to the ECoC year and ing money on large-scale advertising ments. citizens to be able to influence the contents of the pro- by Rīga, are also an important audience as continue after. We will work together with campaigns, gramme (see Q32, e.g. Citizens' Forum). potential visitors to our ECoC events. the National Electronic Mass Media Coun-  Visibility – our communication and Our cultural operators are insuf- We will implement a targeted capacity-building programme for It is residents from our neighbouring cil to ensure that coverage of ECoC events A realistic, practical programme marketing activities need to be eye- which ficiently involved in international local cultural organisations and cultural operators by organis- countries (Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden, is included in public service broadcasting based on the city's strengths, catching and original. takes the city's finances, infrastruc- networks and their capacity to ing international experience exchanges, seminars and by de- Finland, Poland, Russia) who visit our city programming. ture, strong and active local cultural implement international projects veloping artist residencies. most often. We are already comfortable in our communication with them and we want Social media and other digital organisations and human resources is therefore limited. This is reflect- Communication objectives communication platforms into account. ed in our cultural programme. to make sure we inform them about our Our objectives in implementing our commu- ECoC programme. The Jūrmala ECoC website will provide ex- A well-developed mechanism for An inadequately developed struc- A specific sponsorship strategy has been developed (see nication and marketing activities are: tensive and detailed information in multiple financing municipal cultural institu- ture for cultural sponsorship and Q26). The qualified specialists that will be recruited for the Our biggest challenge will be to make languages. Special attention will be paid to tions and co-financing local cultural for attracting EU funding for cul- Jūrmala 2027 Foundation will work with attracting fund-  Recognisability – to make Jūrmala, its Jūrmala known beyond these usual make it accessible for people with disabili- NGOs and SMEs. ture. ing from the EU (see Q32). cultural activities and the ECoC pro- circles. We want the message about our ties. Of course, we will also be using social gramme known to the widest possible programme to reach a wide European and Strong regional partners with long Regional cooperation is jeop- In preparing this application we have been communicat- networks and create specific accounts European audience; for Jūrmala to be global audience, so that we can interest traditions in culture, art and creativity. ardised by the 2021 administra- ing with all municipalities individually, and we are includ- (on Instagram, Facebook, etc.) in order to recognised as one of the leading cul- them in what we have to offer. To step out- tive-territorial reform, which could ing activities that might be of interest to them in our pro- communicate with our audience. Our mo- tural destinations both locally and in- side our comfort zone, we want to make lead to disputes in the newly gramme. After the new Talsi and Tukums counties have bile app will also be useful for providing ternationally, in this way increasing the use of an advantage that we have, namely merged partner counties. been established, we will renegotiate how our cooperation targeted information and entertainment. number of visitor to the city, how well Jūrmala is known in the former The app will contain practical information will continue. Soviet republics that are now EU EaP coun-  Participation – to involve as many like the programme and also be compatible from There will be two local elections We will integrate the ECoC programme into the municipal- tries (Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Unanimous political support citizens from Jūrmala and our partner with AR, contain user-generated content all current municipal policy-makers. before 2027, which could change ity's newly created development and cultural strategies, Armenia, Azerbaijan), as well as in Russia. municipalities as possible in the city’s and engage users in other ways. the political landscape and the giving them political weight. Countries that have a considerable Latvian cultural activities, not only as partici- current position. diaspora (like the UK, Ireland, Denmark and The best way to experience an event is, of pants, but also as co-creators, espe- the heart of the EU, Belgium) are markets course, to attend it in person. But recog- The current pandemic is an indicator The ECoC programme has been designed to be adaptable Resilient, experienced cultural op­ cially those who are traditionally less that we can reach and that are of interest nising that this might not be possible for that have lived through several of potential economic, epidemiologi- to potential future risks through planning many smaller erators active in this way increasing their sense to us. We will also, of course, focus on all everyone, we will provide the option for major crises – changing political systems, cal and security crises in the future. events, using digital technologies, relying on tested meth- of belonging to the city, ECoC countries in the lead up to 2027 (like people to participate in major events re- multiple economic crises and the pan- ods for financing cultural events and by mostly using or  Awareness – to ensure that informa- Finland, Slovakia, Germany, Slovenia, Nor- motely online and by providing recordings demic. renovating existing infrastructure, instead of building tion about the ECoC programme is avail- way, Austria, our neighbour Estonia and and making them available on the ECoC something new. able via the most appropriate channels, others). website, or elsewhere.

50 51 A variety of popular events which we will engage to promote Jūrmala Helsinki, Tallinn, Pärnu, Riga, Panevėžys, as ECoC and our cultural programme. The Kaunas, Vilnius and Warsaw. We will reach A variety of popular events can give us an How does the city plan to highlight that the European embassies and LIAA’s extensive network of out to the passenger ship companies oper- excellent platform from which to reach our foreign trade representations will help us Q35 ating out of the Freeport of Riga. We plan target audience. We will continue to par- Capital of Culture is an action of the European Union? attract new partners in the United States, to display banners or show information on ticipate in annual tourism fairs in strategic the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Denmark, screens at the Riga International Airport, markets and will present the Jūrmala ECoC France, the United Kingdom, the Nether- which is the largest airport in the Baltic programme at these events with our own lands, Norway, Finland, Germany and other States and therefore an important coopera- booth, or by joining the Latvian Investment countries around the world. We will also get tion partner. We also plan to create a booth and Development Agency (LIAA). Addition- the message about our ECoC programme with an original design that will represent ally, Jūrmala hosts a number of internation- out by cooperating with the twinning cit­ the city and distribute informational mate- al cultural and sporting events that get a lot ies of Jūrmala, Talsi and Tukums, inter­ rial promoting Jūrmala’s ECoC programme. of publicity. By using the communication national embassies, missions, cultural channels of these events we can reach their institutions and EU institutions. In this We want to focus on involving people in audiences to inform them about Jūrmala’s way we will systematically communicate creating the contents of our communica- cultural programme. Advertisements can with audiences abroad and introduce citi- tion in particular. We see this as essen- then be placed at the venues and printed zens of Jūrmala to the cultures of our twin- tial, so we will invite people to be creative programmes can be made available at infor- ning cities. together. We want people to get involved, mation booths to promote Jūrmala as ECoC. to add to the information we already have, We will work closely with our partners, the and to create new and unique content. Network newly created Talsi and Tukums counties, and we will also use Jūrmala municipality’s As information is nowadays becoming in- World-famous athletes and artists local communication channels. Of course, creasingly segmented, the ability to dissem- from Jūrmala will be invited to be­ we will also be cooperating with Rīga, which inate information through existing informa- come ambassadors of Jūrmala as is Latvia’s most popular tourist destination, tion channels and networks is particularly European Capital of Culture. They by reaching out to both its residents and important. Our communication will build on will promote Jūrmala and the ECoC visitors. our existing and emerging networks, which programme through their personal aligns with one of our programme’s core Jūrmala is close to many important trans- channels and add personal touch. content areas – the Co-creation Pulse. port networks, so cooperating with large We also want to reach out to the transport companies will be a great op- Latvian diaspora in different coun­ In order to reach an international audience, portunity for us to reach both existing tries around the world in order to it will be important to cooperate with na- and new audiences. We will work with the create excitement about the Euro­ tional institutions, such as the LIAA Tour­ national airline airBaltic, who fly to a wide pean Capital of Culture. It is the department’s ism Department. range of destination, Latvian Railway, with The opening and closing ceremo­ stones in the history of the European Union.  These billboards will be actively used task to promote Latvia abroad and market whom we’ll arrange to make use of Riga nies are important moments during the We want to highlight this by organising an during 2027 to inform residents and it as an attractive tourist destination. It is To make Jūrmala an even more attractive Central Station and the stations in Jūrmala ECoC year. It is an important way in which international forum about the long-term vi- visitors about the city’s cultural pro- important that informational ECoC materi- to disseminate information, and Pasažieru tourist destination, we will invite tourism sion for Europe, about working and living European ideas and values can be commu- gramme and events. als are included in their marketing activities Vilciens, with whom we’ll discuss how to organisations and tour operators to plan nicated, and a platform for telling the story together in Europe, and to emphasise the and promotional campaigns abroad. An- best utilise train carriages to disseminate special travel offers in cooperation with of the ECoC tradition and the benefits that European values of respect, solidarity, free-  We will create and install open-air art other important partner is the Ministry information. Another important partner is representatives from Jūrmala’s tourism in- come with this status. We will invite rep- dom and democracy. objects throughout the city that will be- of Foreign Affairs and its embassies, the new Rail Baltica railway which will link dustry.  resentatives from previous and upcoming Lithuania will hold the EU Presidency in the come symbols of Jūrmala’s ECoC status ECoC cities, as well as EU officials to the first half of 2027. We want to include our and which will at the same time display opening and closing ceremonies. events and activities into the Lithuanian the role that the EU plays. EU, EaP Neighbouring Channels / target audience Jūrmala Latvia and other Leading up to, and during the The EU’s identity will be incor- countries countries ECoC year, we will carry out To emphasise the EU’s contribution, we will expand porated into all communica­ joint projects with the EU Europe Day into an entire Europe Week in 2027. As tion and promotional materi­ Local newspapers House (the European Parlia- part of this event, embassies of the EU countries, als and channels. We will not Outdoor advertising ment Liaison Office and the candidate countries, EU EaP countries, EU institu­ only inform the public about Other Latvian municipalities European Commission Repre- tions and other ECoC cities will take part in an open- ECoC events through our chan- sentation) and the European nels and the media, but also Social media, the internet air event and display their cultures. Movement in Latvia. Building about the history, objectives, Media on the experience that we have benefits and the European Riga International Airport already developed, representatives from EU Presidency’s cultural programme to values at the core of this tradition. the EU House will be invited to participate promote our programme and highlight ECoC airBaltic The Bank of Latvia creates coin collections in activities in Jūrmala. The main event of as an EU initiative. We will also make use by regularly issuing coins commemorat- Rail Baltica the year in Jūrmala are the celebrations for of the opportunities that will come about as ing special events, achievements, people the opening of the resort season. The EU Tourism exhibitions Latvia prepares for its upcoming EU Presi- and cultural signs. We will approach the House has participated in the celebrations Tourism organisations/operators dency in the second half of 2028. Bank of Latvia to issue a for several years now to promote European two-euro com­ to celebrate the Jūrmala Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Latvian embassies values and various projects. We will showcase how the EU has contrib- memorative coin uted to implementing the ECoC programme ECoC year, similarly as they did when Rīga LIAA 2027 is also special because 25 March will became the ECoC. We will also approach throughout Jūrmala’s urban environment: International events mark 70 years since the Treaty of Rome Latvia Post to discuss issuing a special Twinning cities, missions was signed, and on 13 December it will be  Specially designed billboards will be stamp to highlight the EU’s contribution in 20 years since the Treaty of Lisbon was placed throughout the city to inform peo- establishing the ECoC.  Famous Jūrmala citizens signed. These treaties were important mile- ple about Jūrmala becoming the ECoC.

52 53 Capacity to deliver Please confirm and provide evidence that your city has or Q37 will have adequate and viable infrastructure to host the title.

Please confirm and supply evidence that you have broad and strong Cultural infrastructure Q36 political support and a sustainable commitment from the relevant local, Concert hall / Culture House Jūrmala’s geographical location and the regional and national public authorities. seasonal nature of resort towns defines Open-air stage the scope and development of our cultural infrastructure. Although our cultural infra- Exhibition hall structure is small seen from a global per- Library spective, it does however mean that sev- We, as well as other Latvian municipali- on 29 October 2020, deputies from dif- When the new Tukums and Talsi mu- eral cultural institutions can be involved in 24 12 11 Historic venue for events ties, are writing our applications at an ferent parties gave unanimous approval nicipalities commence their work after a single event at the same time. interesting moment in Latvian politics. for Jūrmala’s application to the ECoC pro- the local elections and the territorial and Conference room Local elections will be held in Latvia on gramme. They also gave the green light to administrative reform is over, we will con- One of the main intentions of our ECoC 32 10 7 5 June, just one day after we submit this establish regional cooperation with the tinue our joint work, making sure that the programme is to bring cultural events application. These elections will also mark neighbouring counties. On 27 May 2021, two new municipalities are interested outdoors and take them out of the TALSI COUNTY a major administrative-territorial reform, Jūrmala City Council made a unanimous and able to participate in the ECoC pro- usual venues. However, to take both after which a number of municipalities will decision to submit this application, which gramme. the weather and the nature of certain cease to exist, while new territories will be included giving general approval to the events into account some events will At the time of preparing this application, added to others. This will create a lot of planned financial investment. still take place in existing cultural in­ have not yet made a confusion, uncertainty, concern and pos- public authorities stitutions in Jūrmala as well as in our decision on what the national financial sibly conflict. We will have to learn how In November 2020, we approached our partner municipalities. contribution to the ECoC programme will 5 3 10 to work together. We in Jūrmala are lucky, neighbouring counties, which will merge be. Responding to a question from all Lat- Concert halls because we are one of the few munici- into the new Tukums and Talsi counties 24 4 7 vian ECoC candidate cities on the planned The most distinctive and spacious concert 7 59 palities that will not have new territories on 1 July 2021. In January and Febru- public funding, the Ministry of Culture halls in Jūrmala are the Dzintari Concert added or taken away. We will remain who ary 2020, deputies voted to approve 28 8 23 confirmed national political support and Hall and the Dubulti Concert Hall. The we are. the seven municipalities’ participation in the ECoC application. In a separate indicated that the cities could receive fi- Dzintari Concert Hall’s large Outdoor Con- TUKUMS COUNTY We don’t have to worry about politi- vote on 25 March 2021, the Jūrmala City nancial support of up to 50 % of the total cert Hall can accommodate an audience of JŪRMALA cal changeover in the municipality. At a Council unanimously approved the part- cost of the programme.  2,100 in the summer season (the number meeting of the Jūrmala City Council nership with these municipalities. of seats is planned to increase to 2,900 by 2027), and the Small Hall which can seat 460 people in the winter season. The Dubulti Concert Hall has 400 seats in the Great Hall and 130 seats in the Chamber Hall. Other important event venues in the city in any season include the Jūrmala Cul- the Durbe open-air stage (2,500 seats), Bulduri Exhibition House (120 m2). There ture Centre (600 seats in the large hall), which is the third largest open-air stage are 7 exhibition venues in Tukums county, the Kauguri Culture House (200 seats) in Latvia, and the Ozolāji open-air stage and in Talsi county there are 42 venues for and the Jūrmala Theatre (96 seats in the (800 seats). Talsi municipality has the exhibitions or permanent expositions, and chamber hall). Meanwhile, the cultural Jēgerleja open-air stage (1,500 seats), 11 venues for temporary exhibitions. We centres in Tukums and Talsi municipalities are important to cultural life in their towns the Roja open-air stage (1,000 seats), want to highlight the Pedvāle Art Park in and municipalities. There are 21 cultural the Sauleskalns open-air stage (1,700 Talsi county that can admit an unlimited centres in Talsi county and 24 in Tukums seats), the Dundaga Castle Park open-air number of visitors. In total, there are 13 county. stage (480 seats), Dupurkalns open-air museums in Tukums county, 4 museum- stage (400 seats) and the Tiņģere open- type spaces with exhibitions on local his- Open-air stages air stage (200 seats). tory, and 13 museums in Talsi county. Open-air stages are important event Exhibition halls Libraries venues during the summer season, both in Jūrmala and in our partner municipali- Regarding visual arts, we have to mention The ECoC programme will incorporate ties. The over 90-year-old Melluži open- all the exhibition halls we have available 7 libraries in different neighbourhoods in air stage in Jūrmala is only one of two for exhibitions. One of the most impor- Jūrmala, 32 libraries in Talsi county and acoustic wooden shell-type stages in the tant exhibition venues for contemporary 53 libraries in Tukums county. Baltic region, and it can accommodate an art in Jūrmala is Art Station Dubulti, which Historic venues for events audience of around 800 people. Horn’s has two exhibition halls with a total area Concert Garden can accommodate 500 of 367 m2. There is also the Dubulti Cul- There are many historic castles, manor people. There are eight open-air stages ture Quarter Exhibition Hall (70 m2), the houses and the surrounding them in the in the neighbouring counties. Tukums has Jūrmala City Museum (632 m2) and the Tukums and Talsi counties. These can all

54 55 also be used as special venues for events ECoC programme. So is the Jūrmala Beach cultural sector. The disused Jūrmala Airport and festivals. The largest in Tukums coun- Centre that is located on the 640 m long airfield in Tukums can accommodate be- ty are Durbe Manor, Jaunmokas Palace, beach in the city centre. It contains 6 beach tween 25,000 and 30,000 visitors at its Jaunpils Castle and Šlokenbeka Manor. volleyball and tennis courts, 3 transform- air shows. Talsi county boasts the largest castle in able beach football, handball and rugby Conference rooms Northern Kurzeme, Dundaga Castle, as courts, as well as an additional area that well as two privately restored manor hous- can be adapted for large events and has a Jūrmala is also ready to host high-level es, Lielvirbi Manor and Nurmuiža Manor. capacity of 3,000 people. A multifunction- conference visitors in 59 conference halls The Talsi Regional Museum Park and Spāre al nature education centre will be opened of various sizes, the largest of which can Manor with its ancient park are also nota- near the Ķemeri water tower in 2023. It is accommodate up to 800 participants. ble in the region. expected to attract at least 60,000 visi- Through our ARTeries, we have access to tors a year to its exhibitions, educational the largest and most impressive stages Other significant venues programmes and landscaped territory. The and art galleries imaginable: the Lielupe The fishermen’s farmstead in the Jūrmala Cinevilla Studio in Tukums is also a major River, the beach that stretches for more Open-Air Museum regularly hosts various attraction. It is the largest film backlot in than 160 km from Jūrmala to Mazirbe, thematic events and is another suitable the Baltics, a venue for events and festi- railways, roads and cycle paths, forests, and important venue for events in the vals, and has an important place in Latvia’s swamps and meadows. 

Accessibility Jūrmala’s location is enviable. Only Rīga By train. More than 30 trains an entry toll (2 euros between 1 April can be considered to be more central in a day connect Jūrmala with Riga and 30 September). Guests who pay Latvia. Although Jūrmala is said to be Central Station. The train ride to the toll receive free municipal parking 25 km from the centre of Rīga, it actu- any of the 14 stations in Jūrmala takes in the city and free entry to municipal ally borders Rīga. Why is proximity to between 21 and 52 minutes. The railway museums and exhibition halls. Rīga so important? also connects Jūrmala with our partner municipality Tukums. This means that By water. Jūrmala is located  About 1/3 of Latvia’s population our guests will be able to reach almost all between the Baltic Sea and Accommodation lives in Rīga. ECoC venues by train. More than 1,2 m Lielupe, which is one of Lat- Being a historic resort town, Jūrmala has who come to Jūrmala’s resort rehabilita- sites and hostels, and Airbnb currently  Rīga has the largest airport in the people a year travel to Jūrmala by train. via’s longest rivers. Jūrmala’s ten ma- centuries of experience in welcoming tion centres for their various health ser- offers more than 300 places to stay. If Baltics, which in 2019 served more rinas are among the busiest ports in guests. We have welcomed guests from vices stay for 1–2 weeks, while holiday- you include these types of accommoda- than 7,5 m passengers. Rail Baltica will open in 2026. This rail- Latvia, attracting regular yacht and both East and West, visitors staying for makers from Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia tion, Jūrmala can host more than 7,000 way line will join the Baltic countries to- sailboat traffic. In recent years, yacht-  Jūrmala is only 25 minutes away a long time, and others coming for just and conference guests are more likely to guests per night at any one time. gether with the European rail network. ing has become increasingly popular in from central Rīga by private trans- one day. We can accommodate guests stay for 1–2 nights. Before the recession, This will be a way for European visitors to the Baltic Sea, thanks to EU funding If necessary, ECoC guests will also have port, 30 minutes from Riga Central for whom cost is a factor, and those with Jūrmala hosted over 170,000 foreign reach Jūrmala and our ECoC programme. being invested into developing small Rīga’s tourism infrastructure at their Station by train, and 30 minutes more options. We have something for ev- guests and more than 80,000 domestic We treasure our railways, as this is one ports. Our beach concerts are already disposal, which is just 25 minutes from away by bus. eryone. tourists per year. of the most sustainable modes of trans- well attended by guests on yachts who Jūrmala. They can also make use of the This means that Jūrmala as ECoC can port that keeps the air clean in this way enjoy the concerts from the sea. We The average visitor stays in Jūrmala for Jūrmala has 26 hotels, resorts, spas and facilities of our partner hotels, guest- become a day destination for people combating the threat of climate change. look forward to making use of this po- around 3 days, but this depends very resort rehabilitation centres that can ac- houses and campsites in Tukums and Talsi counties. We are confident that no visiting Rīga. And this is not a small We will encourage our guests to use tential even more. much on where they’re from, the season commodate 3,332 guests. This statistic number – 2,85 m visitors came to Riga this environmentally friendly mode of and the purpose of their stay. Visitors does not include guesthouses, camp- guest will be left without lodging.  in 2019! transport! By bicycle. What could be better than exploring a city Jūrmala is connected to Getting to Jūrmala is easy! By bus. by bike? You can breathe Average Number Type of accommodation* Number Rīga by a busy minibus network the fresh air, get exercise and revel in occupancy, % of beds making more than 50 trips a day! your surroundings for longer than you The minibuses stop at the Riga Inter- Hotels and similar accommodation Jūrmala is 17 km could by car or train. That’s why we By plane. national Bus Station. Several major bus from Riga International Air- are prioritising cycle lanes and paths. Resort rehabilitation centres 5 42.4 1,096 lines from Rīga also connect Jūrmala port (only 15 minutes by car), Already today, you can reach Jūrmala with major centres in Kurzeme: Tukums, Resort hotels 10 32.3 1,769 which has direct flights to more than by a 21 km-long cycle path from Rīga. Kandava, Sabila, Kuldīga, Kolka, Talsi, 100 destinations. The other option Cycle paths also connect the more dis- Hotels Ventspils, Liepāja, Mazirbe, Roja, Dunda- 11 12.2 467 tant neighbourhoods in Jūrmala. There for reaching Jūrmala by air is to fly to ga and Pāvilosta. Tukums Airport, which is about 40 km is a 13 km-long cycle path from Bul- Other accommodation from Jūrmala. The airport has plans to Private transport. Jūrmala can duri to Buļluciems, an approximately Guest houses 11 12.6 173 start cooperating with low-cost airlines, be reached in 25 minutes from Rīga 12 km-long one from Majori to Bulduri, which will create new ways in which to via the only highway in Latvia that and one from Majori to Kauguri that Camping sites 1 No data available 802 reach Jūrmala by 2027. We will be fol- has three lanes in both directions. To limit is about 25 km and the 48 km-long Guest apartments 11 10.7 432 lowing this development closely. transit and reduce air pollution, Jūrmala is Liedaga cycle path connects Lielupe the only city in Latvia to have introduced with Ķesterciems.  Hostels 2 No data available 263

* This list only includes accommodation that reports to the Central Statistical Office.

56 57 Kaņieris

Buļļupe BUĻĻUCIEMS VĀRNUKROGS LIELUPE STIRNU RAGS THE GULF OF RIGA 7 13 25 DZINTARI Lielupe BULDURI PRIEDAINE 8, 12 JAUNĶEMERI DUBULTI MAJORI KAUGURCIEMS BRAŽUCIEMS JAUNDUBULTI ĶEMERI PUMPURI Lielupe 6 Slokas VAIVARI MELLUŽI ASARI ezers KAUGURI DRUVCIEMS 1–5 NATIONAL ObjeCT Sum in EUROS TIME period ĶEMERI 19 VALTERI Culture infrastructure Lielupe SLOKA Lielupe 1 New multifunctional nature education centre construction project and 15,926,130 2021 – 2023 PARK BAŽCIEMS landscaping the forest park in Ķemeri. KRASTCIEMS KŪDRA 2 Developing the multifunctional nature education centre's services and 5,621,920 2021 – 2023 improving the forest park in Ķemeri. 3 Restoring the historical park at Ķemeri and regenerating degraded areas. 4,066,530 2021 BRANĶUCIEMS 4 Reconstruction and restoration of the Ķemeri water tower, which is a cultural 114,159 2021 monument of national importance, and creating a tourist information centre with a gallery and viewing platform. 5 Reconstructing the Ķemeri post office building to create the Crafts House. 187,075 2025 – 2027 6 Creating a recreation park and youth centre in Kauguri. 9,365,800 2021 – 2022 7 Reconstructing the Dzintari Concert Hall’s Great Hall and landscaping the grounds. 12,237,940 2021 – 2025 8 Renovating the Jūrmala City Museum building on 15 Lienes iela to create 130,000 2024 – 2027 In terms of cultural, urban and tourism infrastructure, what are the projects a new exhibition. 9 Creating open-air environmental objects in various neighbourhoods in Jūrmala. 129,050 2021 – 2026 Q38 (including renovation projects) that your city plans to carry out in connection 10 Creating and restoring infrastructure that promotes a healthy lifestyle. 409,080 2021 – 2027 with the European Capital of Culture action between now and the year of the title? 11 Renovating and repairing Jūrmala's libraries. 500,000 2023 – 2027 12 Renovating and enlarging the Jūrmala City Museum. 225,720 2021 – 2022 13 Improving the energy efficiency of the Jūrmala Theatre building. 681,990 2021 – 2022 City infrastructure Evaluating the city’s budget and develop- where in the city will serve as important 14 Reconstructing beach rescue stations. 4,530,000 2022 – 2026 ment plans, we will not build self-serving Pulse locations for ECoC activities. A con- 15 infrastructure just for the ECoC year. In siderable part of the investment is allo- Building new changing rooms on the beach. 674,000 2021 – 2027 developing our cultural, urban and cated to restoring or renovating existing, 16 Restoring infrastructure at exits to the sea. 190,000 2021 – 2027 tourism infrastructure, we will focus but outdated infrastructure objects. This 17 Developing bicycle routes in the city of Jūrmala. 5,427,050 2021 – 2027 investment will allow them to be brought on preserving our cultural heritage 18 Restoring and creating children's playgrounds and sports fields. 1,237,380 2021 – 2027 by restoring it and adapting it to new up to standard making them sustainable, 19 Improving the Sloka stadium. 236,250 2021 – 2022 uses. In the coming years, significant energy efficient and accessible. 20 Constructing an indoor football/track and field arena. 9,700,000 2023 – 2026 financial investment is planned for the Given Jūrmala’s status as a resort town 21 Renovating schools’ sports halls/gyms. 2021 – 2023 area surrounding Ķemeri. This has been and a WHO Healthy City, developing 1,400,000 identified as one of Jūrmala’s priorities sports and active living infrastructure 22 Modernising sports stadiums near schools. 1,709,920 2021 – 2023 and has been included in the Jūrmala City will play an important role in the coming 23 Building the Jūrmala city swimming pool. 4,200,000 2023 – 2026 Development Strategy 2010 – 2030. years. This will include constructing new 24 New development of Lielupe Ice Hall. 5,000,000 2024 – 2027 The historic Ķemeri water tower will be sports facilities that residents require, opened to the public this year complete such as a swimming pool and an ice Tourism infrastructure with a tourist information centre, an in- rink, which will complement existing op- 25 Creating an outdoor environmental object, a border landmark for the city of Jūrmala. 174,300 2021 teractive exhibition and a 42 m-high portunities and make it possible for resi- 26 Establishing a Jūrmala water tourism service centre and developing the infrastructure. 756,800 2021 viewing platform. The buildings and the dents to be active even during the winter 27 landscaped territories in Ķemeri and else- months.  Developing the port infrastructure in Jūrmala. 120,000 2021 28 Developing the navigation infrastructure on the Lielupe River. 180,000 2024 – 2026

58 59 Applicant: Jūrmala City Council in collaboration with Talsi, Dundaga and Roja counties (which will become Talsi county) and Tukums, Kandava, Jaunpils and Engure counties (which will become Tukums county).

Jūrmala 2027 ECoC Team (in alphabetical order): Līga Dzirnekle Iveta Ķelpe Zane Leite Agnese Miltiņa Gunta Misāne Inese Novada Liene Pīpkalēja Anda Šveica Dace Ziemele

EDITORS: Latvian Language Agnese Čivle English Language Jūle Mare Rozīte

We would like to thank every citizen, local municipal employee, deputy in Jūrmala and our partner counties: Dundaga, Engure, Jaunpils, Kanda- va, Roja, Talsi and Tukums. We also want to thank every Latvian citizen who was involved in preparing the Jūrmala 2027 bid! Thank you for your time, for participating in our focus groups, for submitting your ideas, for working on the application’s contents and for helping and advising the Jūrmala 2027 ECoC team!

A special thank you to all the supporters and co-writers of this bid book!

Images by the following photographers have been used in this publication: Artis Veigurs: p. 23, 25, 28, 30, 31, 32, 39, 57, 58; Ivars Ķezbers: p. 5, 24, 30, 31, 33, 41, 42; Gundars Rutkis: p. 10, 16, 26, 50; Jānis Saliņš: p. 18, 31; Arvīds Barānovs: p. 3; Didzis Grodzs: p. 7; Ojārs Martinsons: p. 17; Elīna Krase: p. 19; Ansis Starks: p. 27; Gundars Ūķis: p. 30; Agnese Bule: p. 31; Kaspars Teilāns: p. 35; Kristaps Kiziks: p. 38; Ģirts Raģelis: p. 54.

DESIGN: Jūrmala 2027 logo Toms Vītiņš Layout Ieva Upmace Printing Ltd. ULMA

© Jūrmala City Council, 2021

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