Sea festival in Ventspils
GATEWAY TO THE SEA
1 July, Saturday
8.00-18.00 BIG SEA FESTIVAL MARKET, DAY 2 /Old Town Market Square/
Extended sales – fish, home-made and handicraft products, plants, etc.
09.00-15.0009.00-15.00 EXHIBITION “Ask the Sailors about the Sea” /Pārventa Library/
Exhibition of photographs by Dainis Rozentāls.
10.00-15.00 BADGE OF THE SEA – badge making workshop /House of Crafts/
Creative workshop – badge making on the theme of the sea
Exhibition of the Textile Art Department of the Art Academy of Latvia “Mending the World”.Entrance fee according to the price list.
Entrance fee according to the price list.
10.00-18.00 EXHIBITIONS AND WORKSHOPS /Livonian Order Castle/
Pine bark boat and sea stone workshops (12.00-14.00) Botanical drawings (Laima Bikše and Signe Vanadziņa) Green (painting from the Ventspils Museum collection in the colour of the summer)
Moving pictures. The history of cinema in Ventspils also a look into the film“Jūras vārti” (1974)
The castle exhibition is open all day.Entrance fee according to the price list.
Entrance fee according to the price list.
10.00 “SEA CUP 2023” in beach volleyball /Ventspils Beach Volleyball Stadium/
11.00-11.30 MEMORIAL MOMENT “To the seafarers and fishermen whose burial place is at the bottom of the sea” /Monument to Seafarers and Fishermen, Ostas Street Promenade/
10.00 “SEA CUP 2023” in beach volleyball /Ventspils Beach Volleyball Stadium/
Hosts will be National Theater actor Ainārs Ančevskis and Radio SWH personality and improviser Sanda Dejus.
12.00-12.30 WELCOME OF NEPTUNE AND OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL
Let’s welcome the mighty Sea Ruler Neptune and his entourage, watch the ship parade, honor notable people.
12.30-13.30 ZIŅĢES BRĀĻI
20th century popular songs both about the sea and life by Brāļi Laivinieki, Alfrēds Vinters, etc.
13.45-15.15 LABVĒLĪGAIS TIPS
There is hardly anyone who does not know the band “Labvēlīgais Tips”. It is one of the most humorous Latvian bands in terms of music and lyrics, with a style of pop music with elements of rock, schlager and ska.
15.30-16.30 BAD HABITS
Bad Habits is a group of both self-penned and unusual arrangements of well-known songs such as “Kurtizāņu ugunskurs”, “Kad man vairs nebūs sešpadsmit”, etc.
16.45-17.45 VILKI
Most people recognise this group of men as performers of Latvian soldiers’ songs from different eras, but this time they will be performing songs about the sea and life on the seashore.
12.30-15.00 “AT THE CAPTAIN’S”/at the Port Captain’s building, Kr.Valdemāra iela 14/
A special place for sons and daughters of the sea to share conversations and seafaring stories. A specially arranged photo spot where everyone will be able to experience a photo opportunity with Neptune and his entourage.
12.30-17.00 SMALL STAGE “A VIEW OF THE WORLD” /at the old Port workshops, Kr.Valdemāra iela 12/
DJ Kārlis Bikšus will host the stage throughout the day.
12.30-13.40 SHOTA ADAMASHVILI
Georgian country singer born and raised in the small Georgian town of Bolnisi, has participated in several Georgian TV shows, local and international festivals. In 2021 he won the International Country Music Award Texas Sounds in two categories – Virtual Rising Star Of The Year and Producer’s Choice. He is currently learning Latvian and performing throughout Europe.
14.30-15.30 ALUM ALU
Inspired by the music of the Roma and Balkan peoples, Alum Alu has been performing at various festivals in Latvia for three years. The band’s energetic gypsy-folk-rock performances quickly make you want to move. Playing Latvianised versions of Roma folk songs as well as more popular Balkan tunes, Alum Alu creates a musical journey connected to the music of other nations.
16.00-17.00 AKORDS
Who better to add a sparkle to the joie de vivre than people who are blessed with one themselves and know how to share it! And if they do it in the universal language of music… These are the Saldus seniors – accordionists who have joined together in the ensemble “Akords”. The Sea Festival will feature melodies that are popular all over the world.
12.30-17.00 CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP AND PLAYGROUND “OUR OWN SHIP” /at the old Port workshops, Kr.Valdemāra iela 12/
A specially designed playground for children of all ages will be open throughout the day. Large-size wooden games from the Nature Games collection will give you the opportunity to enjoy the spirit of competition, learn new skills and knowledge, and have a great time together. The Baltic Sea Story is an activity offered by the association “Attīstības fabrika” for primary school-age children and teenagers. Questions about and around the Baltic Sea, life in it, the possibility to help reduce pollution, etc. A game to identify sea creatures, a board game about the coast and a stand about sea water will all be available at the Sea Festival. Mobile Nature Classroom. This is an innovative, audience-engaging and state-of-the-art nature education exhibition in and around a mobile, specially converted and equipped minibus. The Mobile Nature Classroom offers an attractive and entertaining way to learn about natural ecosystems, nature’s values and get involved in nature conservation activities. Inflatable rides, carousels, horse riding.
12.30-13.00 JŪRAS AKMENTIŅI
The Pop Studio “Jūras akmentiņi” is one of the children’s groups of the Ventspils Culture Centre, which has been operating with great success for 28 years.
13.00-14.00 BAREFOOT WIND WHISTLES IN THE PINES
“The Barefoot Wind Whistles in the Pines” is about what happens by the seaside in summer. It’s about how the Snail called the Lizard to bet, how the Wind was hitting the clouds and the Crab was patrolling the beach.
The young stage artists of Jūrmala Theatre Katerīna Olekte and Dāvids Toms Kalniņš will join the children on their journey and accompany the Barefoot Wind. The fairy tales will be accompanied by musical performance by Ģirts Alsters (voice, music and lyrics), Andris Barons (guitar and music), Dāvis Putāns (bass guitar and music), Haralds Stenclavs (keys and musical arrangements), Gundars Lintiņš (percussion). Director Mārtiņš Kagainis and choreographer Egija Abaroviča will help you not to get lost on the journey.
13.00-14.00 BAREFOOT WIND WHISTLES IN THE PINES
14.00 OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION /Theatre House “Jūras vārti”/
“World Routes of Latvian Sailors with Marinas by Elita Viliama”
Participants: sailors from the sailing yachts “Milda” and “Kaupo”.
20.00-24.00 SMALL STAGE “A VIEW OF THE WORLD” / at the old Port workshops, Kr.Valdemāra iela 12/
20.00-21.00 DZINTARS BRIEDIS
Dzintars Briedis is a master of musical instruments from Riga. He has made a wide variety of instruments. He has made mini drums, thereminovax, an instrument that is played without touching it, and also ruller-like slidesounder. Dzintars has also created his own musical instrument, the beeboard. Meeting Dzintars and the instruments he makes is like a journey at sea – unknown and surprising.
21.00-22.00NEIUM (IT IS)
Livonian ethnic melodies as well as original works in a contemporary sound. The electronic music band is inspired by the natural soundscapes of the Livonian coast. Like an in-between space where electronically created frequencies meet the sounds of nature. The soundscapes created by musicians Dāvis Stalts and Monta Kvjatkovska will be experienced by observing the Venta and its estuary into the sea.
22.00-24.00SUNSET MUSIC with DJ KĀRLIS BIKŠUS
19.00-02.00 FESTIVAL OF SONGS AND CHANTS BY GUNTIS SKRASTIŅŠ /Reņķa Garden/
This year’s participants of the Festival dedicated to the memory of Guntis Skrastiņš will be popular Latvian pop, schlager, country music, as well as actor-song and chant performers, soloists, actors and bands – “Apvedceļš”, “Galaktika”, “Tērvete”, “Zeļļi”, Mārtiņš Kanters, Ineta Rudzīte, Dainis Skutelis, Žoržs Siksna, Ieva Sutugova, Kaspars Markševics, Gunārs Jākobsons, Voldemārs Šoriņš, Zigurds Neimanis, Juris Hiršs, Andris, Daņiļenko, Roberts Ošiņš, Edgars Pujāts and other stage artists. The Festival will be hosted by actor Gundars Āboliņš. The soloists and singing actors will be musically accompanied by Guntis Skrastiņš’ band “No Pusvārda”.
Pre-sale of ticketsHERE
OTHER EVENTS DURING THE FESTIVE WEEK
29 June, Thursday
12.00 “THE LITTLE WAVE (…) THROWS AND KICKS SNAILS AND PEBBLES (…)’’ H.Dorbe /H.Dorbe Museum/
Workshop for children – worksheets (by A.Rudzīte) based on H.Dorbe’s poem “Vilnītis” (The Little Wave), gluing of ships. The workshop is supported by the Centre for Families and Children with Special Needs “Cimdiņš”.
30 June, Friday
7.30-18.00 BIG SEA FESTIVAL MARKET, DAY 1 /Old Town Market Square/
Extended sales – fish, home-made and handicraft products, plants, etc.
2 July, Sunday
8.00-15.00 BIG SEA FESTIVAL MARKET DAY 3 /Old Town Market Square/
Extended sales – fish, home-made and handicraft products, plants, etc.
11.00-16.00 FISH SOUP AND LIVE MUSIC /Seaside Open Air Museum/
Sea Festival Craft Fair. Outdoor games – horse riding, boot throwing, mummery, workshops for the little ones on the theme of the sea. Lucky draw for visitors in costumes specially suited for the Sea Festival. Exhibition of works by Ventspils Art School students.
Entrance fee according to the price list.
LITTLE SEA FESTIVAL “CYCLING TO THE SEA”
11.00-12.00 /Children’s Town/
15.00-16.00 /Children’s Park “Fantāzija”/
Extreme BMX bike stunt show.Greentrials masterclass – a chance to learn how to balance on a spring-wheel and learn how to “jerk the wheel”, try a ride on a mini BMX bike.
The Festival is supported by the Ventspils State City Municipality, Freeport of Ventspils Authority and SIA “Kurzemes granulas”.
