The town of Valmiera in Latvia and internationally is more recognizable for its achievements in economics and sports. The results in the economy reflect the pragmatic nature of Valmiera residents, the results in sports – purposefulness and hard work on the way to success. Valmiera’s desire to become the European Capital of Culture (ECOC) is related to the need to transform into a high-culture micro-city, where culture interacts with a pragmatic management tradition.
Valmiera, together with Valmiera municipality, wants to become a model of a micro-city – a municipality with an industrial environment and rural areas, being able to successfully solve the coexisting challenges in various dimensions of society.
“We strive to be recognized and noticed in Europe and in the world, including in the field of culture, while being aware of the existing cultural ‘gap’ that needs to be bridged and filled on the way to the goal. The European Capital of Culture 2027 competition is a necessary catalyst, to which Valmiera will add persistent work over a long period of time. The title will be a source of inspiration and strength for a long-term work, which we will take step by step, highlighting together our abilities and advantages in the field of culture together with the society, at the same time revealing the shortcomings and painful places. We will implement a set of ambitious events, the preparation of which has already started in 2021,” his thoughts on the application shares Reinis Suhanovs, the head of the art program of the ECOC2027 for the town of Valmiera.
The guiding principle of the Valmiera program is CONVERSION (change, change of the state of the phenomenon), initiating a series of processes in which we will experience significant changes of thinking and attitude, developing Valmiera as a micro-city. It is a great place to live for people interested in culture, the economy and a sustainable environment. Our cultural program is based on three highest goals:
- NOTE AND ACKNOWLEDGE US!;
- FILLING THE CULTURAL GAP!;
- WE CREATE A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT!
The Valmiera ECOC program is structured as a set of five consecutive and interconnected cycles. From 2021 to 2026, the cycle PROCESS – CONVERSION will take place, when we will implement the program preparation period. It will be a time of significant change. We believe that preparing for and waiting for the holiday is part of the holiday. Thus, we will achieve the great goal – to create and fill the cultural space of the region with a new offer, content and developments of cultural and creative industries. We will promote public participation, invite to find out, feel, express an opinion, participate. We will form new partnerships, develop cultural places.
The other four cycles will be developments in 2027 related to the natural course – the seasons:
- WINTER – NOTE AND ACKNOWLEDGE US!
- SPRING – FILLING THE CULTURAL GAP!
- SUMMER – WE CREATE A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT!
- FALL – REFLECTION
All this to jointly develop and improve our ability to understand, create and consume world-class culture in its various manifestations, thus confirming and strengthening the role of the region as an attractive cultural place in Vidzeme region, Latvia, Europe and elsewhere in the world.
The 2027 program will be a celebration of the work done in the previous six years for both residents and guests of the county. However, the work will continue during the festival as well, because the development of culture takes place in a continuous process. We have prepared a plan to achieve our goals and we have started working creatively and purposefully so that at the end of 2027 we can say: “We did it! That was great! Let’s continue! ” If we can imagine it, we can achieve it!
Thank you to everyone who supports us, believes and participates!