Social media captures Lampa festival impressions: from politicians' disco to pea milk coffee

The 12th Lampa Conversation Festival took place in Cēsis on July 10-11, drawing a diverse crowd. Social media posts from participants reveal both the festival's varied program and unexpected everyday details.

Highlights on social media

Actresses Anete Bendika and Elīna Geida from the improvisation theatre "Divas" held an improvisation evening together with the British Ambassador to Latvia, Ketija Līča. Meanwhile, Edijs Klaišis, founder of the OPEN Creative Centre, posted a humorous note after a discussion on youth and drugs: he and police representative Andis Rinkevics were reportedly scolded for their behaviour during the discussion.

Former Prime Minister Evika Siliņa shared a photo from the festival with the caption "With friends at Lampa. Cēsis rocks." Saeima Speaker Daiga Mieriņa also posted moments from the event. The party "Latvija Pirmajā Vietā" was prominently represented by Ainārs Šlesers, who published a picture with a new vehicle.

The traditional "Politicians' Disco" attracted politicians, including Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, who performed on stage.

Everyday details and suggestions

One attendee, looking for coffee indoors, ended up at Cēsis Art Space MALA. Another concluded: "You can feel you're at Lampa – at the coffee kiosk they say 'decaf with pea milk'."

A local resident described the festival as one of the year's most significant events in the city, emphasizing it as a place to broaden horizons and engage in public processes. Another visitor suggested introducing a nap tent at future festivals to allow breaks between discussions. Yet another opined that Lampa replaces music festivals at a certain age.

The essence of Lampa

Lampa is a space for free and respectful exchange of ideas, meaningful conversations, and expanding horizons. This year, approximately 400 events at 66 venues sought answers to the festival's central question: "What must not be talked about?"