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- ies in Europe that can boast of having four forge new collaborations and partner­ Health as a challenge and cultural values.