The annual Nordic Days, organised in cooperation with the embassies of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden in Latvia, and the Danish Cultural Institute, this year took place in Liepāja. The main events were held on 3 November, but Nordic Days activities will continue throughout the month.
On 3 November, residents and visitors of Liepāja were invited to attend a variety of events across the city as part of the annual Nordic Days. The first half of the day focused on the “Liepāja Future Districts Challenge” – a new initiative by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia aimed at finding creative solutions for specific, underused urban areas in regional cities. Over six weeks, students from four universities in Latvia developed proposals for these areas, drawing on knowledge gained from guest lectures by Nordic architects.
The challenge officially concluded on 3 November in the Chamber Hall of the Great Amber Concert Hall, where students presented their ideas to a jury, landowners, city representatives and others. The winning team for each area received a cash prize of €1,000. The Kursa area award went to a team from the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, while the Northside Business Park award was presented to an international student team from Riga Technical University. The Liepāja railway station award went to a team from the University of Latvia, and the Southern Forts and Pērkone Canal area award was presented to a team from Riga Technical University.
The Nordic Ambassadors’ Prize was awarded to RE:FLOW, a project developed by students from RISEBA and Riga Technical University. The project offers a new vision for the development of the area around the Pērkone Canal in Liepāja. The ambassadors recognised how the project reflects Nordic urban planning principles, including respect towards the environment, focus on building stronger communities and high-quality, accessible public spaces. The proposal includes green areas, waterfront recreation spaces, community gardens and facilities for social and cultural activities. Winners of the Nordic Ambassadors’ Prize received a fully paid study trip to one of the Nordic countries.
“This project has shown how much can be achieved by combining the creativity of young professionals and Nordic experience. Importantly, this cooperation has resulted not only in bold visions for the future, but also in practical proposals that can serve as a basis for future development decisions.”
– Nina Hvid Enevoldsen, Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia
In keeping with the tradition of the annual Nordic Days, Nordic ambassadors met with city representatives to learn more about Liepāja’s future plans and international cooperation. On the morning of 3 November, Morten Jespersen, Ambassador of Denmark to Latvia, accompanied by his spouse, Martin Sørby, Ambassador of Norway to Latvia, Anu Vuori, Ambassador of Finland to Latvia, Hugo Qvinth, First Secretary at the Embassy of Sweden in Latvia, Nina Hvid Enevoldsen, Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia, and Anna Enemark, Head of the Danish Cultural Institute, accompanied by their local staff, met with Gunārs Ansiņš, Chairman of Liepāja City Council, Nataļja Vecvagare, Head of International Relations, and Kārlis Beihmanis, Project Manager for Climate and Cnergy.
During the day, the Nordic ambassadors also met with representatives of Latvian universities and research organisations. The meeting was attended by Gatis Vītols, Vice-Rector of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Guntars Kitenbergs, Vice-Rector for research at the University of Latvia, Agnese Dāvidsone, Rector of the Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Jūlija Asmusa, representative of the Latvian Council of Science, and Johnny Mogensen, Director of NordForsk. The discussion revolved around opportunities for joint research programmes and ways to increase the participation of Latvian universities in NordForsk programmes.
The evening of 3 November concluded with a concert by South Sámi singer Marja Mortensson at the Great Amber Concert Hall. Concert was provided by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia and the Embassy of Norway.
Nordic Days activities will continue in Liepāja throughout November. Admission to all events is free of charge.
Two exhibitions are open until 30 November, presented by the Embassy of Denmark.
- “Our Arctic Future” at the Liepāja Olympic Centre (Brīvības Street 39) – an exhibition featuring 21 posters showcasing the breathtaking beauty of Arctic landscapes. Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 08:00–22:00; Saturday, 09:00–17:00.
- “Greener Together” at the Liepāja City Council Visitor Centre (Rožu Street 6).
Opening hours: Monday, 08:30–18:00; Tuesday–Thursday, 08:30–17:00; Friday, 08:30–16:00. Opening hours are shortened by one hour on days before public holidays.
Until 27 November, everyone is welcome to visit the comic exhibition “Mythbusters” at the Liepāja Music, Art and Design Secondary School (Alejas Street 18). The exhibition was created in cooperation with the publisher “kuš!” and is supported by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia. Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 08:00–20:00.
Nordic Days are organised to introduce people to the Nordic countries and their cultures, build new connections and strengthen regional cooperation between municipalities, businesses, cultural organisations and NGOs. The event takes place in a different Latvian city each year. Last year, Nordic Days were held in Kuldīga.
