“Mini Lampa” Invites Families to Play, Explore, and Talk in Cēsis
The children’s program of the “Lampa” conversation festival will take place on July 10–11 in Cēsis, offering free workshops, games, and discussions for the whole family.
During the second weekend of July, the Sarunu festivāls “Lampa” (Conversation Festival Lampa) in Cēsis will once again open its doors, and alongside the adult program, “Mini Lampa” will operate – a dedicated two‑day program for children and families. Visitors will not only watch and listen, but also actively participate in various creative and educational activities.
Among the offerings is the interactive Forest Marathon by “Latvijas valsts meži,” where children will explore the forest through movement and play. The Space Exploration Center invites building cars without engines, trying astronaut training, and learning physics through experiments. “Cēsu Jaunā skola” will offer six STREAM workshops where participants can become researchers, inventors, or artists. “Brain Games” will introduce the latest board games, while at the “Atom Art” tent, together with Fluffy, the mascot of the animated film “The Happy Ones,” children will seek an answer to “What to do when there’s nothing to do?” Families will also have access to the PEP Moms’ peaceful relaxation space.
“Mini Lampa” will also be a place for conversations. In a workshop by the Baltic Media Center of Excellence, children become media detectives learning to distinguish fact from fiction. In “Laša sarunas” (Salmon Talks) organized by the children’s magazine “Lasis,” children themselves will be experts, discussing friendship and money. The Open Society Foundation DOTS invites to “Dialogue Circles” about friendship and what it means to be a child. The program concludes with unhurried family conversations and a chance to simply be together.
A special event is the play “Hamoka komūna” by director Sabīne Alise Ozoliņa, where everyday objects gain a voice and reveal their dreams, inviting viewers to see things from a different perspective.
Organizers remind that “Mini Lampa” is not a childcare service – parents are responsible for their children’s safety. Children under seven must not be left unattended. A baby tent will be available for the youngest visitors. It is recommended that children wear a wristband with a parent’s phone number; if a child gets lost, they will be taken to the Info Center. Entry to the festival and “Mini Lampa” is free, and the full program is available on the website.
