Liepāja, the coastal city often called the “City of Wind,” is preparing to transform into a living gallery for the European Night of Museums. On Friday, 22nd May, the city will host a sprawling cultural marathon titled “Stories. Night,” featuring a headline performance by the internationally acclaimed indie-pop band Carnival Youth.
While Museum Night is typically observed across Europe on a Saturday, Liepāja has received special permission to hold its festivities a day early. This adjustment accommodates the Latvian Youth Dance Festival and the Līva Village Festival, which will take over the city on 23rd May. For visitors and residents, this creates a packed weekend of heritage and contemporary art.
Essential Event Information
- Date: Friday, 22nd May
- Time: 17:00 – 01:00
- Location: Various museums and cultural sites across Liepāja
- Cost: All museum entries and activities are free of charge
- Transport: The “Libau Train” shuttle will run between venues for a flat fee of €4 (valid all night)
Main Stage and Musical Highlights
The central hub for the evening is the Liepāja Museum Garden at Kūrmājas prospekts 16/18. The atmosphere here is designed to be family-friendly, featuring free carousels for children and an open-air café hosted by the local restaurant “Oskars.”
The musical lineup at the Garden stage includes:
* 19:15: Liepāja Pop Rock School students
* 21:00: Amber Strings ensemble
* 21:45: Nova Koma
* 23:00: Carnival Youth (Headliner)
Carnival Youth, one of Latvia’s most successful musical exports, are known for their energetic indie-pop sound and have toured extensively across Europe and the UK. Their late-night set is expected to be the pinnacle of the city’s celebrations.
Family Activities and Creative Workshops
Inside the main Liepāja Museum building, the theme “The Adventures of an Object”—inspired by the Latvian poet Rainis—will come to life. Beyond the permanent exhibitions, visitors can participate in calligraphy workshops led by artist Dzintra Vīriņa or explore the traditional culture of Rucava. The night will conclude with a dramatic reading of Žanis Baumanis’s diaries, titled “A Voice Between the Pages.”
For those interested in historical immersion, the Hoijere House (the 17th–19th Century Interior Museum) offers a unique program:
* World Music: Performance by the group UDUDU
* Theatre: Amateur performance of “Munchausen’s Marriage”
* Interactive: Historical costume fittings and a fragrance workshop
* Spectacle: A fire-juggling show in the museum courtyard
History and Technology at the Occupation Museum
The Liepāja Occupation Museum will offer a more somber but equally engaging perspective. The program includes drone demonstrations and a display of weaponry from the National Guard (Zemessardze), alongside documentary films detailing Latvia’s history. A special highlight will be a musical storytelling session by Guntis Veits, the lead singer of the legendary Latvian band Credo.
Educational and Creative Hubs
Several educational institutions are also opening their doors:
* RTU Liepāja Academy: Interactive linguistics and word games, plus performances by the folk dance ensemble “Banga.”
* Liepāja State Gymnasium: A nostalgic look at Soviet-era school supplies and the “legendary music stand” associated with composer Raimonds Pauls.
* Golts Creative House: An immersive exhibition of works by artist Miķelis Golts, viewed through the building’s windows.
To navigate the various sites, the “Libau Train” will depart from the Liepāja Museum, providing a convenient link across the Trade Canal for those wishing to see the full breadth of the city’s cultural offerings.
Original reporting by: liepaja
Source: Liepājas valstspilsētas pašvaldība
Article contextPeople & topics5#5
What do you think about this article?
Reader Ideas Newsroom
Have a sharper angle for this topic? Add it to the community idea board and let readers vote it up for editorial review.
/linkComments
8+ useful words can earn +10-60 DP; shorter replies can still publish without DP.