Latvia

LAMPA Conversation Festival 2026

LAMPA Conversation Festival is a large-scale initiative, an open platform, the content of which is created annually by more than 300 organisations and active individuals and will take place for the 12th time. It takes place in Cēsis on July 10-11.

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LAMPA Festival

About LAMPA 2026
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Approximately 400 events in 66 venues will seek answers to the festival’s central question “What should we not talk about?”, jointly creating a place where opinions can be exchanged in a free, relaxed atmosphere and topics of current interest in society can be discussed in a respectful manner.

At a time when security is no longer taken for granted, the festival will talk a lot about the resilience of society, preparedness for crises and the ability to act in conditions of uncertainty, seeking answers to questions such as whether electricity, communications and payments will work in an emergency and how resilient our healthcare system would be in war conditions, and many others.

About LAMPA 2026

The festival will be attended by the President of the Nordic Council and by representatives of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The President Ville Väyrynen will be participating in two panels – on crisis preparedness in borderlands and on adoption of Nordic experience in Latvia – and will introduce the headline activity 'folkekøkken' – community building through shared meal.

During both days of the festival, every panel at the Nordic Island (Nordic tent) will offer Nordic perspective provided by Nordic experts or local partners implementing Nordic initiatives. Events at the Nordic tent are organised jointly with all Nordic embassies represented in Latvia.

The festival is based in Cēsis Castle Park, and it was inspired by similar democracy festivals in Denmark, Sweden and Estonia. Political parties have representation tents at side of the festival area, and officials and ministers tend to participate in various panels, however the festival is more of light, engaged type and not deemed political. Entrance is free.

Full programme of the NORDIC ISLAND with links to live broadcasts:

festivalslampa.lv

Friday, July 10, 6:30–7:30 PM

Crisis preparedness at the border: voluntary participation”

How to strengthen resilience and a sense of security in Latvia's border region? A discussion about crisis preparedness, public engagement and trust – at a time when strengthening the border also raises concerns about the development and daily life of the region in some parts of society.

The conversation will feature local volunteers and civil protection experts and Ville Väyrynen, President of the Nordic Council and the Finnish parliamentarian. Participants will discuss how to move from spontaneous assistance in crises to long-term civic engagement and community resilience.

Live broadcast will be available here: festivalslampa.lv

Friday, July 10, 12:30–1:30 PM

From anxiety to action: hope as a solution

How can trust, preparedness for unexpected turns in life and hope help transform anxiety into action? A discussion inspired by Nordic and Irish approaches to psychological and practical resilience.

The conversation will explore how strong communities, mutual trust and active civic engagement help people better prepare for crises and change. We will discuss how resilience can be built in everyday life by strengthening both individual adaptability and collective responsibility and solidarity. How can we maintain hope and a sense of agency in times of uncertainty, and what lessons can Latvia learn from the experiences of the Nordic countries and Ireland?

Live broadcast will be available here: festivalslampa.lv

Saturday, July 11, 12:30–1:30 PM

Our own land, our own energy!

Energy – besides foreign affairs – has been the topic attracting the most audience and has spurred the most heated discussions among panellists and audience at the festival. This year the Nordic tent will also provide platform for such crucial debate, with representatives from the Climate Ministry and municipalities on the stage, also from the Municipality of Åbenrø in Denmark.

Live broadcast will be available here: festivalslampa.lv