The annual Nordic Days, organised in cooperation with the Embassies of Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden in Latvia, and the Danish Cultural Institute, this year took place in Kuldīga. The Nordic delegation was warmly welcomed by people in Kuldīga, reaffirming the close cooperation and friendship built over many years.
Throughout the city, residents and visitors were invited to enjoy diverse events as part of the Nordic Days programme. Two exhibitions have been open since late September – Danish exhibition at the Kuldīga Art House on the future of Arctic and Finnish exhibition at the Kuldīga Library on the history of Finnish Jaegers in Latvia; however, as a tradition, the central event was the visit of the Nordic ambassadors.
On 7 October, the delegation met with the Mayor of Kuldīga Municipality Council, Inese Astaševska, Deputy Mayor Artis Roberts and Executive Director Rimants Safonovs. The visiting delegation included Finland’s Ambassador to Latvia, Anne Saloranta; Norway’s Ambassador, Ine Måreng; Denmark’s Ambassador, Morten Jespersen; Deputy Head of Mission at the Swedish Embassy, Azadeh Alian-Söderqvist; Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia, Nina Hvid Enevoldsen; and Director of the Danish Cultural Institute, Anna Enemark, along with staff from the respective institutions.
After the meeting at the municipality, the guests visited Kuldīga Secondary School, where they spoke with students about the Nordic countries and shared details on the everyday life of diplomats. Later, they attended the opening of the comic exhibition Myth Busters at the Kuldīga Technology and Tourism Technical School. The delegation then toured the historic city with a local guide. In the evening, a concert by Finnish musician Päivi Hirvonen and her band took place at the Kuldīga Cultural Centre, attracting a large audience. It marked her return to Kuldīga, where she had previously performed in 2023.
The following day, the delegation visited local entrepreneurs in the Kaļķu Street Quarter – including the Duna brewery, family business DZIIVA CACAO, the Curonia coffee roastery, and Klavins Piano. On 7–8 October, in cooperation with the Kuldīga Restoration Centre, public lectures were held on sustainable solutions for buildings, gardens and daily life, featuring experts from Norway, Finland, Sweden and Latvia.
To delight the youngest Nordic fans, on 8 October everyone was invited to attend Pippi Longstocking’s Birthday Party at the Kuldīga Main Library. On 10–11 October, Nordic film enthusiasts could enjoy two screenings: “Let the River Flow” (Norway) and “Becoming Astrid” (Sweden). All events of the Nordic Days were open to the public free of charge.
Nordic Days are held each autumn in a different town in Latvia in order to promote the Nordic countries and their culture outside the capital. Moreover, the events help establishing mutual connections and strengthening regional cooperation between municipalities, entrepreneurs, cultural institutions and non-governmental organisations. Last year, Nordic Days took place in Daugavpils.
Photos: Inese Krone
