On the last Saturday of August, coastal towns and villages celebrate Ancient Bonfire Night – an evening symbolising unity and friendship among the Baltic Sea nations. Thousands of bonfires light up the evening along the coast, reminding us of ancient traditions and the deep connection coastal people have with the sea.
At sunset, as the bonfires are lit, singer Ance Krauze and pianist Jānis Strazds will delight locals and visitors in Liepāja with powerful Latvian songs by the sea.
On August 30 at 8:00 PM, singer Ance Krauze will take the stage on Liepāja Beach near the Ronu Street exit to the sea, joined by pianist and composer Jānis Strazds. The concert will feature songs written especially for Ance Krauze, as well as well-known and beloved songs by Raimonds Pauls, Jānis Lūsēns, Valdis Atāls, Jānis Strazds, and others. Powerful Latvian folk songs will also be performed!
“I spent five unforgettable study years in Liepāja, and every return here is filled with bright memories and a special feeling. Ancient Bonfire Night is a moment when the sea, music, and people unite as one. I warmly invite the people of Liepāja to enjoy this evening together by the sea,” says Ance Krauze.
On Ancient Bonfire Night, bonfires are lit along the seashore to demonstrate unity among coastal peoples and to remind us of our history and cultural heritage. This symbolic act shows that the millennia-old connection between coastal communities and the sea is still alive today. One of the aims of Ancient Bonfire Night is also to draw attention to environmental issues and to remind everyone of the importance of keeping the Baltic Sea clean. Each year, more and more coastal residents in Estonia, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Finland, Norway, and elsewhere join the event. In Latvia, Ancient Bonfire Night has been celebrated since 2010.
Photography and video recording will take place during the event. The material will be used for publicity purposes by the event and Liepāja Culture Department. By attending the event, you acknowledge that you may be included in audio or visual recordings.