Author: Kristiāna Paula Lībiete
Source: Liepaja2027.lv
A quarter of Liepāja residents - 25% - are involved in preparations for Liepāja as European Capital of Culture, according to the latest population survey carried out this autumn by the market and social research centre “Latvijas Fakti”. The share of involved residents has risen by 7% compared with the previous year. A further 23% describe their involvement as partial, indicating a sustained and broadening engagement with the Liepāja 2027 initiative.
Reklāma
The survey data point to an increasingly positive outlook among residents regarding the potential impact of the European Capital of Culture year. Expectations related to cultural development show the sharpest rise. The proportion of respondents who believe the Liepāja 2027 programme will diversify the city’s cultural life has increased from 36 to 54%, and the expectation that it will lead to improvements in cultural infrastructure has grown from 36 to 53%. The most significant upward shift concerns a strengthened sense of belonging to Europe, which has increased by 21%. Confidence that the initiative will encourage a more positive attitude towards the city has also grown, rising from 25 to 39%. Residents increasingly expect that the European Capital of Culture year will raise the city’s visibility, from 50 to 61%, and stimulate economic growth, from 52 to 55%.
“We are purposefully moving towards 2027, implementing the goals of the Liepāja 2027 programme. It is important to us that the programme not only serves as a timeline to current needs but also acts as a blueprint for enduring development. We are simultaneously meeting current community needs, forging robust international cooperation, and actively driving resident participation. We are pleased that the people of Liepāja recognise and appreciate this,” says Inta Šoriņa, Chair of the Liepāja 2027 Board.
The survey also assessed residents’ motivations for attending or participating in Liepāja 2027 events. The content of events remains the strongest motivator: 20% of respondents expect events to be interesting. Affordability follows, with 10 % emphasising the importance of free or low-cost events. 9% are particularly drawn to concerts and musical content, while 8% highlight advertising and the availability of information as influential factors. Respondents also mentioned the cultural programme (7%), events for families with children (6%), activities that promote the city (6%), sporting events (6%), guest artists, the variety of the programme (4%), leisure opportunities (4%), community-building aspects (3%), cultural accessibility (2%), and the location of events (2%) as additional motivators.
The resident survey was commissioned by the Liepāja Municipality Central Administration and conducted by “Latvijas Fakti” from 18 September to 10 October using a telephone survey methodology. More than 400 residents of Liepāja aged 18 and over participated. The full study is available on the municipality’s website www.liepaja.lv/pilsetas-statistika/iedzivotaju-aptauja
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