"Atmodas Dārzs" (or the Awakening Garden) is a place of freedom, creativity and gathering – an established creative quarter venue that will open its second season this year. The initiator of this space is local entrepreneur and creative architect Madars Markus-Narvils, who has designed it with the aim of creating an ever-changing, interdisciplinary cultural offer. Art, gastronomy, dance, music, and theatre all converge in the Awakening Garden and the boundary between the creator and the observer vanishes. The programme of the opening event will have two parts. During the day, from 12.00 – 16.00, there will be an award ceremony for the winners of the photo competition “The Karosta Paradox” and free activities for families, exploring new experiences and gathering for a pleasant get-together.

The Drawing Theatre will perform “Jatakas”, a show about the joy, openness, and unpredictability of a child. It will be a Latvian interpretation of the stories of India, entwining the local and the exotic in free-flowing strokes of colour, a dance swirl, and thrilling adventures.

For the second year, visitors will have the opportunity to take part in spring gardening - sowing herbs and vegetables in small containers to be planted in the specially designed garden bed of the Awakening Garden.

Creative workshops with artists Solvita Bruže, Irita Timbra and Sintija Lasmane will provide an opportunity to discover the true joy of painting, creating artworks on stones and wood, and experiencing the inspiring process of clay making.

Throughout the day, the territory of the “Atmodas Dārzs” will host an exhibition of the 12 best works of the photo competition “The Karosta Paradox”, and DJ Jānis Enkūzens will take care of the great musical atmosphere.

The territory of the Awakening Garden will be open for the evening event from 18.00 with a warm-up by DJ Jānis Enkūzens. At the peak of the night, everyone will have the opportunity to awaken and discover the power and feelings of a summer concert with the positively expressive band “Dziļi violets”. On stage, they will work in tandem with the most dynamic energy, joie de vivre and improvisation artist to hit the scene at the moment, Sanda Dejus. Their musical and creative union “Uz labu laimi” will stir up everyone, leaving no one untouched and making a solid head start for the new season of “Atmodas Dārzs”.

Pre-sale tickets are available at www.ticketshop.lv 

The open-air café “Kūp BBQ” will serve tasty meals and drinks throughout the event. The season opening event “Wake up and OPEN” is co-financed by the Liepāja Culture Department..

On Thursday, 20 April, the Liepāja City Council received a patent certificate from the Patent Board confirming that the brand of Liepāja as the European Capital of Culture 2027 has been registered as a trademark. The registration of the Liepāja brand as a trademark grants its owner, or in this case the Liepāja City Municipality, exclusive rights to the trademark in the territory of Latvia. Registration of a trade mark is aimed at securing an exclusive right to the trade mark, i.e. the right to prohibit other persons from using identical or confusingly similar signs in commercial activities with regard to identical or similar goods and services.

"I welcome the fact that not only entrepreneurs, but also other brand owners are becoming more and more aware of the value of a registered trademark and the need to protect it. Trademark registration not only provides legal protection, but also acts as a marketing tool that helps the owner to boost its visibility and reputation. Liepāja, the European Capital of Culture, with its visually appealing and easily recognisable trademark, is an excellent example for others," said Agris Batalauskis, Director of the Patent Board. The registration of the brand as a trademark means that the brand of Liepāja as the European Capital of Culture 2027 is protected from the moment of registration and can only be used by the Liepāja City Council. This implies that no other person may use the brand of the European Capital of Culture 2027 unless the City of Liepāja has given its consent. The ongoing process of registration of the foundation "Foundation Liepāja 207", when completed, will transfer the right to use the brand to the foundation.

The exclusive right to the trademark Liepāja 2027 shall come into force on the date of publication of the notice of registration of the trademark, i.e. from 20 April 2023. The registration shall be valid for 10 years and may be renewed every 10 years.