Kuldīga’s Old Town Festival: Energy and Peace Hand in Hand
The two-day Old Town Festival in Kuldīga offered a wide range of activities, from pizza competitions and choir singing to a Japanese paper crane installation and a movie location tour.
Kuldīga’s Old Town Festival took place over two days, providing diverse entertainment for all tastes. The social service center "Tilts" set up an Ethno Courtyard featuring an exhibition "Made with Heart," creative workshops, and performances by singing actors Marija Bērziņa and Mārtiņš Egliens, as well as the Suit kokle ensemble "Četri vēji" and Alsunga native Santa Galiņa sharing humorous stories. Bands "Rahu" and "Suitu muzikanti" also performed.
At the Kūrava Terrace, the Latvian Amateur Pizza Competition drew seven participants, the youngest being 13-year-old Renārs Druvaskalns from Vārme. His father Jānis Druvaskalns noted that pizza-making became a family hobby. Airplane pilot Jeremy Gets from Mārupe baked a pepperoni pizza with onions and honey.
The Adatu Stage featured musician Rihards Zaļupe, singer Linda Leen, and comedian Jānis Skutelis. On Saturday evening, the Kuldīga county joint choir, conducted by Andra Zvejniece, led a sing-along with soloists Katō, Kristiāna Stirāne, and Valts Skujs, joined at the end by Artis Dvarionas from the band R.A.P. Alsunga’s Santa Galiņa sang with the choir for the first time.
In the City Garden, families enjoyed "Stigas" Valley for children: a jazz concert by pianist Toms Mikāls and singer Evija Vēbere, a puppet show by Liepāja Puppet Theatre, magician Dante Pecolli, and a hip-hop and contemporary dance performance by "Dance Beat." The smallest circus of Riga performed on Kaļķu Street.
On Liepāja Street, TV3 filmed the show "Kūka manai pilsētai" with three local bakers: Mārīte Strazdiņa, Kristīne Celma, and Ilze Prūse. According to food blogger Anna Panna, the cakes varied from sour to crunchy to chocolatey. The episode will air in October.
At the Kuldīga Town Hall, artist Inga Bermaka’s installation "Peace" – eight meters long and three meters high – was on display, made from nearly a thousand paper cranes folded by locals and visitors, accompanied by Japanese music. The cranes symbolize peace, happiness, and hope, inspired by Kuldīga’s sister city Fuji in Japan.
Jana and Sandis Semjonovi led a movie location tour, starting at the Town Square (a setting for "Emīla nedarbi") and ending at Mālu iela 11, where "Ūdensbumba resnajam runcim" was filmed.
At the Youth Stage, extreme bike show "Green Trials" performers Dāvis Līcītis and Jānis Lācis demonstrated tricks. Rapper Deniss Stepanovs attracted a full crowd in the City Garden, performing with E.V., Sudrabu sirds, and Silraq.
On the Venta Stage, ethno-pop group "Tautumeitas" delivered an energetic performance, blending folk songs with modern rhythms to create a summer solstice atmosphere.
