Riga Contemporary concludes second edition with over 17,000 visitors

The second edition of Riga Contemporary, an international contemporary art fair, closed on Sunday, July 5, after four days, drawing more than 17,000 attendees. A quarter of these visitors came from abroad, signaling the event’s growing international appeal. The fair featured 42 galleries from 16 countries and attracted artists, collectors, curators, and museum directors from Europe, North America, and Asia.

Organized by the Kim? Contemporary Art Centre in collaboration with Riga City Council, the fair offered a rich public program alongside gallery displays, including discussions, performances, tours, educational activities, and family-friendly events. For the first time, the Citadele Audience Choice Award was presented; the winning gallery, Leto from Warsaw, received an invitation to return in 2027.

Fredis Bikovs, director of the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency, noted that the significant number of foreign visitors contributed substantially to the city’s hospitality, tourism, and cultural sectors. Zane Čulkstēna, founder of Kim? and Riga Contemporary, emphasized that the fair is solidifying its role as a platform for long-term collaboration between the Baltic region and the international art community.

The fair was supported by partners including Citadele, BTA, Sorainen, Inchcape, MINI, the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia, British Council, and others. The third edition of Riga Contemporary is scheduled for July 1–4, 2027, at Hanzas perons in Riga.