International Forum “Historical Gardens and Gardens in a Historical Environment”

International Forum “Historical Gardens and Gardens in a Historical Environment”

2 October 2026

At Kuldīga Art House from 10: 00-17:30.

Within the Liepāja 2027 program

Kuldīga, one of the most beautiful small towns in Latvia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2023, stands out for its distinctive historical atmosphere, or genius loci. Historically, the tradition of maintaining home gardens was also important in the old town, but today it has declined significantly, changing the environment characteristic of the old town. To strengthen and revive the tradition of caring for home gardens, the Kuldīga Restoration Centre created an example of a traditional garden in 2024 in the courtyard of the building at Baznīcas iela 30, and together with local residents is developing the garden route “Kuldīga Old Town Garden”, which is regularly supplemented with educational lectures and workshops.

The international forum, featuring experienced specialists from Latvia and abroad, invites participants to share experience in the maintenance and restoration of historical gardens, as well as the creation of new gardens in a historical environment.

Participation in the forum is free of charge, but to confirm participation a ticket must be purchased, which includes lunch and a coffee/tea break. The ticket price is 20 euros, and tickets can be purchased at the Biļešu Paradīze box office …

This forum is included in the “Liepāja 2027 European Capital of Culture” program. The forum is organized with financial support from the foundation “Liepāja 2027 Foundation”, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, and Kuldīga Municipality.

Further detailed information about the speakers and the event schedule:

Facebook/Kuldīga Old Town Garden

Event program

10:00 10:30 Opening remarks

10:30-11:00 Liepāja’s gardens before parks. Nora Driķe, journalist, researcher of cultural history.

11:00 – 11:30 The development of the 1905 park reconstruction concept in Kuldīga Old Town. Helēna Gūtmane, landscape architect at “ALPS Landscape Workshop”.

11:30 – 12:00 Hardwicke's Bess garden in 2026 - planning a modern future for a historic garden. Nikki Waters, Chief Manager of Hardwick Hall and Stainsby Mill, United Kingdom.

12:00-12:30 A new and unique “Oulu red birch forest” telling local history stories. Kaisa Salmi, MA, environmental artist, light designer and researcher at Aalto University, Finland.

12:30-13:00. Creating a sensory garden in the former Iļģi Manor, now the social care center “Kurzeme” area. Linda Balode, landscape architect, Dr.arch.

13:00-14:00 Lunch: sustainable nutrition and a traditional garden. Andris Ūpis, project chef.

14:00 – 15:30 lecture in the urban environment “The idea of Kuldīga Old Town Garden from concept to realization” (7 groups with the same route, different perspectives): Kristīne Abika; Ilze Zariņa; Dace Jansone; Solveiga Zīle, Ieva Krauze, Laura Zariņa-Skapste; Krista Jansone.

15:30 – 16:00 Awakening significance: how a historical botanical garden reconnects people and nature. Tom De Corel, Head of the Public Green Spaces Department of Leuven Municipality, Belgium.

16:00-16:30 Green as the future: how Leuven’s Green Plan gives new strength to historical sites. Sarah Luyten, landscape architect, Belgium.

16:30-17:00 Traditional Japanese gardens and their historical context. The example of Kyoto. Yuri Ugaya, landscape architect, Japan.

17:00-17:30 Edo's presence today: the historical garden city of Tokyo. Makoto Suzuki, Director of the Tokyo Green Academy, Prof. emer.

During the event, a library-reading room featuring issues of the magazine “Mans dārzs” from the past 5 years will be available.

During the event, the “Celms maize” café and teahouse will be open.

Entry by ticket only. The ticket price includes a light lunch and one coffee/tea break.

The ticket price is 20 euros.