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The programme will present Latvia as a reliable partner in cooperation, a cultural tourism destination and a source of inspiration, top-class professionalism and cultural achievement. It will be the most extensive worldwide presentation of Latvian culture in recent decades.
Latvian residents will also be able to enjoy the cultural programme during the first half of 2015 – when Latvia holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union – at events such as the Italian art exhibition in the Riga Bourse Art Museum from February to April, the premiere of Ēriks Ešenvalds' multimedia symphony Ziemeļblāzma (Aurora) in the Latvian National Opera House on 27 April, the Edvards Šteihens. Portreti (Edward Steichen. Portraits) photography exhibition in the Latvian National Museum of Art Arsenāls Exhibition Hall from June to August, and the Nordic-Baltic Choral Festival from 25 to 28 June.
The cultural programme will present 6 general themes: the idea of a united Europe; the end of World War II; the road to contemporaneity in professional art; the synthesis of artistic genres and addressing topical societal issues in art; song and dance celebrations on the Amber Road; and engaging the diaspora in the Presidency.
Artists in Europe – Belgium, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, and Germany – and across the world – the USA, Belarus, Russia, China and Ukraine – will bring these themes to life. There will be classical and jazz music concerts, art exhibitions, opera, ballet and theatre performances, a multimedia project, literature readings and cinema days.
Latvia will be represented by internationally recognised artists and groups of artists such as the Kremerata Baltica Chamber Orchestra, the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, the Latvian Radio Choir, Maestro Raimonds Pauls and the Latvian Radio Big Band, the Sinfonietta Rīga Orchestra, and the State Choir Latvija.
"We are a small territory on the world map but when it comes to culture we are an inspiring superpower. Even though the process of evaluating art is often very complex and can be subjective, our musicians, artists, writers, and theatre and cinema professionals regularly gain critical acclaim in the international cultural arena and stand out in distinguished competition. The Presidency's cultural programme has therefore been created to showcase this rich culture we are so proud of and demonstrate who we are today and how we want to be tomorrow," said Minister of Culture Dace Melbārde in presenting the programme.
"In our public diplomacy and cultural programme we will showcase the contemporaneity, uniqueness and excellence of Latvian culture," said Selga Laizāne, the Head of the Public Diplomacy and Culture Programme at the Secretariat of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU. "I am delighted that we are working with people of different talents from all over Latvia – from the ceramic artists who have made the Presidency's svilpaunieks (ceramic whistle) souvenirs to the outstanding musicians, actors and actresses, designers and artists who have gained critical acclaim outside Latvia."
