Cultural Adventure (Rock)ing

On July 9th, a unique event will take place at the cultural venue “Pegaza Pagalms” in Liepāja – “Cultural Adventure (Rock)ing”, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the Latvian rock music scene and explore its influence on societal changes.

Starting July 9th, the exhibition "Boundary Breakers" will open, available for viewing until July 23rd. This mini-exhibition, created by Madara Matisone and Viktorija Gaiķe, based on the contrasts of two worlds, offers an opportunity to immerse oneself in the environment where the independent sound of Latvian rock was born, to explore and interpret the influences of Western culture. The development of rock music in Soviet Latvia occurred under very different circumstances compared to Western countries.

Rock in Latvia was not a commercial genre – it was a cry of the soul, a challenge to the system, and an inspiration for thousands of young people who yearned for change. The “Boundary Breakers” exhibition will give visitors the chance to experience the rock environment in various ways – by exploring objects, reading facts, pausing, and listening to the sounds heard on both sides of the “Iron Curtain.”

At 7:00 PM, we invite you to an engaging discussion with Latvian musicians Ieva Akuratere and Uldis Marhilevičs, moderated by Jānis Šipkēvics Sr., co-founder and director of Radio SWH and Radio SWH TV, author of the books “LV TOP 100” and “With a Song About Life,” and journalist of the legendary TV show "Labvakar."

In the discussion with Jānis Šipkēvics, they will discuss what events inspired them, how they learned about new musical trends under conditions of censorship and lack of information, and how the coveted recordings and items that allowed access to Western culture were obtained. The discussion will provide an opportunity to better understand the impact of rock music on the formation of Latvian national identity and answer whether Latvian rock musicians had a place in the international context?

At 10:00 PM, the band “Cits kvartāls” will take the stage at “Pegaza Pagalms,” featuring Toms Bokums (vocals, guitar), Kristaps Šēnbergs (keyboards, vocals), Ēriks Hanzovskis (drums), and Kristaps Liepa (bass, vocals). This concert by four energetic musicians, combining Latvian rock music hits, will not only be a musical delight but also a symbolic bridge between generations, proving that rock music remains a force that unites and inspires.

Everyone is invited to become part of the "Cultural Adventure (Rock)ing", where music, history, and personal experience will merge into one unforgettable event. All events are free of charge.

The activities of the project “Cultural Adventure (Rock)ing” are implemented with the financial support of the foundation "Nodibinājums Liepāja 2027" and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia.

The event may be filmed and photographed. The obtained materials may be used for event publicity.