Liepāja will host the international “ECoC Family Meeting 2026” from September 9 to 12, bringing together 87 delegates from 22 countries to discuss the long-term urban impacts of the European Capital of Culture title. The gathering is co-organized by the two designated 2027 capitals, Liepāja and the Portuguese city of Evora, building on a tradition where the annual summit convenes in the region set to hold the title the following year.
Delegates Gather in Liepāja for ECoC Family Meeting 2026
The four-day working program in Latvia brings together current, past, and upcoming European Capital of Culture leaders, program creators, international cultural networks, and research organizations. According to the organizers, participants will share best practices regarding international cooperation, network development, community engagement, and the role of culture in driving city growth. Discussions will also focus on post-titling sustainability, ensuring that initiatives launched during the title year continue to thrive long-term. Representatives from the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, Spain, Ukraine, Hungary, Germany, and Sweden are slated to attend.
Did you know? The “ECoC Family” collaboration platform is marking its 20th anniversary this year. Over the past two decades, the network has connected dozens of former, current, and upcoming cultural capitals to share operational expertise and cultural strategies.
Focus on Lviv and Long-Term Urban Transformation
A central feature of the meeting is a dedicated session examining the bidding experience of Lviv, Ukraine.
Inta Šoriņa, chair of the board for the “Liepāja 2027” foundation, emphasized the broader stakes of the initiative. “The European Capital of Culture status is not just a one-year cultural program – it is a long-term process that can foster changes in the city, develop the cultural environment, and strengthen a sense of belonging to a common European cultural space,” Šoriņa noted, adding that hosting the meeting offers a vital platform for forming new partnerships.
Context and Preparation for Liepāja 2027
The European Capital of Culture initiative was launched in 1985 by the European Commission and has since been awarded to more than 60 cities. Back on May 10, 2022, an independent expert panel recommended Liepāja for the 2027 title following a rigorous competition that initially drew nine Latvian applicants. Then-Commissioner Marija Gabriel noted at the time that Liepāja would become the second Latvian city to hold the title following Riga in 2014, emphasizing the unique opportunity for the region to place culture at the heart of its social and economic development.
As part of the current event’s schedule, visiting delegates will tour Liepāja’s cultural spaces and urban environment, including the distinctive Karosta neighborhood, before concluding with a specialized study visit to neighboring Kuldīga. The “Liepāja 2027” project is implemented by the “Liepāja 2027” foundation alongside the Liepāja municipality, with the Dienvidkurzeme and Kuldīga regional municipalities serving as official partners and co-financing provided by the Ministry of Culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “ECoC Family Meeting 2026”?
When and where is the 2026 meeting taking place?
The meeting runs from September 9 to 12 in Liepāja, Latvia, co-organized by the 2027 cultural capitals Liepāja and Evora (Portugal).
Why is Lviv featured in the program?
Who is organizing the Liepāja 2027 project?
The project is managed by the “Liepāja 2027” foundation and the Liepāja municipality, alongside partner municipalities Dienvidkurzeme and Kuldīga, with backing from the Ministry of Culture and various corporate sponsors.
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