Where art and culture meet – a guide to inspiring weekends in Cēsis

From July 18 to August 30, Cēsis pulses to the rhythm of the arts festival. Over twenty years, the Cēsis arts festival has become a nationally significant tradition and one of the most notable annual cultural events in Vidzeme – a place where music, art, theater, and cinema meet outside of Riga.

This summer, at the festival’s program highlight, there will be a concert performance of Richard Wagner’s opera “Lohengrin” under the direction of conductor Tarmo Peltokoski (on August 6 and 8), as well as a concert staging of Leonard Bernstein’s operetta “Candide” conducted by Jānis Liepiņš and directed by Mārtiņš Meijers (on August 15).

However, the festival is only the beginning of your art and culture adventure. Cēsis offers much more to art enthusiasts, and we invite you to discover it!

• MUSEUS
  Rīgas iela 22, Cēsis, tel. +371 29473660 
  The exhibition hall “MUSEUS” in Cēsis offers the opportunity to explore the richness of Latgalian culture by showcasing the works of talented ceramists, jewelers, and painters. Its goal is to promote the deep cultural traditions of Latgale and its unique artistic heritage.
  
• St. John’s Church Tower in Cēsis
  Lielā Skolas iela 8, Cēsis, tel. +371 64121549, +371 29518015 
  The church tower offers not only a beautiful panoramic view of Cēsis Old Town but also a unique art and cultural experience. Each floor of the tower features a different exhibition, presenting the church’s history, art, and restoration stories, making the climb to the tower an inspiring journey through time.
  
• Rucka Manor – Living Paintings
  Piebalgas iela 19, Cēsis, tel. +371 28237566 
  At Rucka Manor, art gains a new dimension in the multimedia exhibition “Living Paintings.” Light, sound, and movement bring to life artworks from Latvia’s Symbolist period and classical music, creating an engaging and emotional experience. It is an opportunity to explore art in a contemporary way and embark on an inspiring journey through paintings, music, and technology.
  
• “Siļķes” – The Jansons Family of Sculptors’ Home/Workshop
  Dzirnavu iela 33, Cēsis, tel. +371 29124876 
  This is a place where the art of sculpture has been created for several generations. During a visit, it is possible to familiarize oneself with the creative environment of sculptor Matias Jansons, explore the workshops and the open-air sculpture garden, as well as observe the process of art creation. The works of several generations of the Jansons family have become an important part of Latvia’s cultural heritage, while Matias Jansons’ sculptures, including “Through the Centuries” can also be viewed in the urban environment of Cēsis.
  
• Cēsis Museum (Cēsis New Castle)
  Pils laukums 9, Cēsis, tel. +371 26576111 
  The Cēsis Museum, located in the historic New Castle, preserves and showcases the city’s rich cultural and artistic heritage. The museum features the exhibition “The City Beyond the Window,” which invites visitors to view Cēsis through an artistic perspective on the city’s environment, history, and people, revealing its unique character and atmosphere.
  
• Dimension Ink Cēsis
  Rīgas iela 11, Cēsis, tel. +371 22499632 
  Although the studio’s primary activity is the art of tattooing, its premises also serve as a space for contemporary art exhibitions. From August 7, Elīna Māliņa’s exhibition will be on view at Dimension Ink. The opening of the exhibition will take place in a musical atmosphere. It is an opportunity to experience art in an unusual and creative environment, where different forms of art come together.
  
• The Global Center for Latvian Art
  Lielā Skolas iela 6, Cēsis, tel. +371 22416319 
  The Global Center for Latvian Art introduces the art heritage of Latvians in exile and the diaspora, preserving and promoting artworks created outside of Latvia. It is a place where the stories of Latvian artists from different generations meet, revealing identities, experiences, and creative expressions in the context of global art. Currently on display are Lelde Kalmīte’s exhibition “Šis nav mēness, un es joprojām esmu” and Krista Svalbona’s exhibition “Pārvietošana”.
  
• ArtWalk Cēsis
  A leisurely walk through the galleries, exhibition spaces, and artists’ studios in Cēsis, allowing visitors to explore the city’s diverse art scene. It provides an opportunity to meet artists, observe their creative process, discover new cultural venues, and experience Cēsis through the lens of contemporary art. The event will take place on August 8 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, following a specially designed route through the city. The route and additional information will be published soon.

Full program of the Cēsis Art Festival: cesufestivals.com
More inspiration to explore in Cēsis: visit.cesis.lv