26. july, Piltene will mark an important historical milestone – the city will celebrate its 730th anniversary. The jubilee celebrations will feature a broad and diverse program, offering something of interest for everyone – both locals and visitors alike. Moreover, this year’s festivities will be especially vibrant, as they will also commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Piltene Run.
The festivities will begin at 9:00 AM with a church service and a concert at the Landze Lutheran Church. Just like in the old days, this year visitors will also be able to reach the church via the Venta River – by boat or raft.
Throughout the day, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the exhibition “Years of Piltene’s History” at the Piltene Cultural Center – showcasing artifacts and stories from different eras about the city’s life and its people.
Event visitors will have the chance to climb the tower of the Piltene Evangelical Lutheran Church and enjoy a panoramic view of the city from above. At At 5:00 PM, the church vaults will resonate with a sacred music concert titled “From Baroque to the Present Day.” Performing will be the ensemble BACH D’AMOUR, featuring Ilze Grēvele-Skaraine (soprano), Ieva Nīmane (Baroque oboe, recorder), Lāsma Meldere-Šestakova (Baroque violin), and Ilze Reine (positive organ). The program will include works by J. S. Bach and G. F. Telemann.
Starting in the morning, locals and visitors will be delighted by a festive market on Rožu Street, open until the evening. Meanwhile, registration for the Piltene Run will take place at 10:00 AM near the cultural center. This traditional sporting event, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, will bring together participants of all ages. The start will be given alongside child-friendly characters – Cūkmens, Sīpoliņš, and Mērkaķītis – for the Jubilee Mile, as well as children’s, 5-kilometer, and 10-kilometer races, and a Nordic walking event. The award ceremony for the winners will take place in the afternoon.
On July 26, a festive atmosphere will fill the entire city – the park near the cultural center will be transformed into a creative zone, hosting various workshops. Students from the Piltene Music School will invite visitors to explore musical instruments, while fairy tale characters will roam the city streets. An orienteering game will offer a fun way to test knowledge and win prizes.
Visitors are also encouraged to view the works of Piltene’s craftswomen and explore the youth-created outdoor exhibition “Cultural Stops.” Additionally, there will be opportunities to discover Piltene’s local history collections and get a glimpse into the world of motorcycle clubs.
In the afternoon, Emīlija Jermola and her band will perform in the park near the cultural center, creating a light, summery atmosphere that will lead into the festive evening’s grand finale.
At At 8:00 PM, the Piltene open-air stage will host the premiere of the musical performance “The Legend of Piltene.” The show will bring together actors Madara Botmane, Romāns Bargais, Kristiāns Karēļins, and Juris Jope, along with amateur groups from the Ventspils region and a musical ensemble led by Anatolijs Livča. The concert production is directed by Edmunds Freibergs.
The evening will conclude with a traditional open-air dance party (zaļumballe) at the Piltene stage, featuring live music from the band Johneys Band.
Festival programme:
9:00 AM – Church service and concert at the Landze Lutheran Church.
9:00 AM – 7:00 PM – Exhibition “Years of Piltene’s History” open at the Piltene Cultural Center.
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Visitors can climb the tower of the Piltene Evangelical Lutheran Church for panoramic views of the city and enjoy the sacred music concert “From Baroque to the Present Day.” Performers include Ilze Grēvele-Skaraine (soprano), Ieva Nīmane (Baroque oboe, recorder), Lāsma Meldere-Šestakova (Baroque violin), and Ilze Reine, who will play the positive organ built in 2004 by the Ugāle Organ Workshop. Together, these outstanding musicians form the ensemble BACH D’AMOUR. The program features works by J. S. Bach and G. F. Telemann.
From 10:00 AM – Festive market opens on Rožu Street, and registration for the Piltene Run begins near the cultural center.
11:20 AM – Official opening of the race with cheerful characters: Latvijas valsts mežu’s Cūkmens, Ventspils Library’s Sīpoliņš, and Jungle POP’s little monkey.
11:30 AM – Start of the Jubilee Mile run.
From 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, various activities will take place throughout the city:
– Creative workshops in the park near the cultural center,
– Introduction to musical instruments led by the Piltene Music School,
– Orienteering game with prizes,
– Exhibition “Cultural Stops,”
– Encounters with fairy tale characters and other creative activities.
12:00 PM – Start of the children’s race,
1:50 PM – Start of the 5 km run,
2:00 PM – Start of the 10 km run and Nordic walking event,
3:00 PM – Emīlija Jermola and her band will perform in the park near the cultural center,
From 4:00 PM – Award ceremony for the race winners.
The evening finale will take place at the open-air stage:
7:00 PM – Drawing and awarding of prizes for the orienteering game winners.
8:00 PM – Musical performance “The Legend of Piltene,” combining song, dance, and historical storytelling. Directed by Edmunds Freibergs, featuring graduates of the 2011 dramatic theater program, Anatolijs Livča and his band, as well as amateur groups from the Ventspils region. (Free admission)
10:00 PM – 3:00 AM – Open-air dance party (zaļumballe) with Johneys Band LV (ticket price – 10 euros).
