Liepāja 2027 Opens Call for the «Manor House Hackathon» in Kuldīga and South Kurzeme

Foto: Liepaja2027.lv | Autors: Ilze Elbere | 2026.08.11

To develop sustainable ideas for reviving historic sites, upgrade the region’s cultural and architectural routes, and strengthen cultural tourism across Kuldīga and South Kurzeme, the Liepāja 2027 Foundation has opened call, from 11 August 2026, for the “Manor House Hackathon” applications. It forms part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme and will take place on 29 – 30 September 2026 at the Laidu Manor.

“South Kurzeme and Kuldīga are rich with stunning architectural gems,” says Baiba Bartkeviča, artistic director of Liepāja 2027. “We are talking grand old manors designed by master builders from Prussia, Saxony, Holland, Sweden, and other lands. But as it happens, modern life has moved on. The countryside is quietening down, and many of these magnificent places are slowly losing their shine, like forgotten heirlooms in an attic. But this autumn, our most energetic tourism entrepreneurs and cultural producers will pair up in the hackathon that seeks to breathe new life into these ancient rural hubs right in time for 2027. We want to spark fresh events, add some flavour to our cultural trails across the Land of (un)rest, and reveal the region’s best historical chapters so that those places feel bright, exciting, and completely reinvented”.

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Tourism entrepreneurs, cultural event organisers, and owners, tenants or managers of historic properties in Kuldīga and South Kurzeme are all invited to take part.

Twelve teams in total – six from South Kurzeme and six from Kuldīga – will be selected to join the hackathon. Working with independent industry experts, they will refine their ideas and develop project presentations and, where relevant, prototypes. At the close of the second day, each team will pitch its concept to a jury, which will assess the submissions against a dedicated set of criteria.

The three strongest projects from each municipality will receive funding to bring their ideas to life: first place will be awarded 11,000 euros, second place 8,000 euros, and third place 5,000 euros, bringing the total available funding to 48,000 euros. Supported projects must be delivered between 1 February and 1 October 2027.

Participation in the hackathon is free of charge. Applications must be submitted by 23:59 on 31 August 2026, using the official application form.

Full competition documentation is available at https://liepaja2027.lv/en/news/liepaja-2027-opens-call-for-the-manor-house-hackathon-in-kuldiga-and-south-kurzeme/ 

The Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 programme is delivered by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation, the City of Liepāja and official partners – the South Kurzeme and Kuldīga municipalities, with the co-founding from the Ministry of Culture. The “Liepāja 2027” programme is supported by its main partner in environmental education and sustainability, AS “CleanR Grupa”, Jsc; its main partner in air mobility and international communications, AS “airBaltic Corporation”, Jsc; its partner in legal matters SIA "Sorainen ZAB", Ltd; its land mobility partner, SIA “Lux Express Latvia”, Ltd; alongside its maritime mobility and international communication partner SIA “Stena Line”, Ltd; 
The Foundation’s media partners are: VSIA “Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs”, Ltd; SIA “Žurnāls Santa”, Ltd; SIA “Tvnet grupa”, Ltd; and AS “Kurzemes Radio”, Jsc.