Smilšu skulptūru festivāls

On 9 and 10 June, the city of Jelgava invites you to the largest sand sculpture park in the Baltic countries, where dinosaurs, elephants, polar bears, apes, and philosophical and humorous characters will meet. 15 professional artists from 8 countries, Latvia, Lithuania, Belgium, Ukraine, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Germany and Russia, will transform sand into well-known characters, letting you have a look at the animal world from different points of view. More than 1000 tonnes of sand will be used to create the unique sand sculptures.

Artists will interpret this year’s theme "Animal Kongdom" in different ways, with each piece reflecting its author’s views and vision about what the animal world is like. Some will see wilderness in harmony with people, promoting human and animal friendship and the protection of everything that is alive. Some will depict the harshness and sincerity of nature, showing moments of real life in the wilderness. Others will involve humour and philosophy, picturing the process of evolution, with apes trying to catch up with humans.

On Saturday 9 June, the popular local musicians Aija Andrejeva, Normunds Jakušonoks and L. Tipa orķestris, as well as the bands Iļģi and bet bet, will put on a wonderful musical performance. On Sunday 10 June, the visitors will be entertained by the band Jonis, an artist from Lithuania, and the bands Sudden lights and Jumprava.

The mornings of both Saturday and Sunday will be dedicated to the youngest visitors of the event, as there will be plays for children and fun games together with the New Jelgava Theatre and the Ādolfs Alunāns Theatre. There will also be a sand sculpture workshop, where children and parents will have the chance to become artists themselves and to create their own sand art.

More information can be found on the website of festivals in Jelgava.

More information about tourism possibilities during the festival can be found on the Jelgava Regional Tourism Centre website.