News

Securing Culture: Culture and community actions in times of insecurity

Cultural Pearls Network Online Session 2025 In an increasingly complex global landscape, the crucial role of culture in fostering resilient communities remains a compelling and urgent topic. The latest session of the Cultural Pearls Network underscored this importance, bringing together experts, practitioners, and network members to explore how cultural initiatives can contribute to societal resilience…

A double celebration in Nemunaitis: 400 Years of the Parish and a BSR Cultural Pearls Award of the Alytus District

On June 7, the town of Nemunaitis marked a special occasion with a double celebration: the parish celebrated its 400th anniversary, and the Alytus District Municipality was honoured with the prestigious title of BSR Cultural Pearl 2025. The event was attended by local residents, municipal leaders, church officials, and representatives of the BSR Cultural Pearls…

Community spirit shines: Jāņukalns open-air stage reopens with Cultural Pearls awarding ceremony in Smiltene

On 1 June, Smiltene experienced a significant event – the first concert at the renovated Jāņukalns open-air stage and the Baltic Sea Region Cultural Pearls of 2025 awarding ceremony. The event gathered more than 700 children and young people from the Smiltene and Valka regions, along with a large number of local residents. This cultural…

Webinar: Engaging Communities. Tools and Approaches for Co-Creation

Engaging Communities: Tools and Approaches for Co-Creation Practice-Based Insight: Glass Design and Urban Regeneration through a Participatory Approach Speaker: Monika Arczyńska (Poland), Co-founder of A2P2, specializes in architecture and urban planning with a focus on participatory approaches Time: 4 June 2025, 10:00 CET Register HERE The speaker’s presentation will focus on participatory processes in both…

Płock hosts the BSR Cultural Pearls award ceremony

On May 10, the city of Płock, Poland, became a vibrant hub of celebration, culture, and international unity as it hosted the 26th edition of the European Picnic. This much-anticipated annual event, dedicated to promoting European integration, cross-border cooperation, and cultural diversity, bringing together citizens, and international guests. The highlight of the day was the…

BSR Cultural Pearls at the 16th Conference on Baltic Studies in Europe (CBSE) in Cambridge

From 24–26 April 2025, the 16th Conference on Baltic Studies in Europe (CBSE), themed “Converging Paths: The Baltic Between East and West”, was held at the University of Cambridge in England, we the BSR Cultural Pearls project was presented. We were honoured to contribute to the roundtable “How Regional Institutions Enhance Societal Resilience in the Baltic…

Celebrating Local Traditions: Strengthening Social Resilience through Community Events in Peipsiääre

Jointly organised community events play an important role in strengthening social life in the Peipsiääre region. Last Saturday, 26 April 2025 three vibrant events took place in the municipality – number of lakeside villages along Lake Peipus joined forces to host the Sibulatee Fish Café Day (KALApuhvetite päev), the Open Fishing Harbours Day, and the…

Engaging the Elders: Helsingborg’s Living History Project Strengthens Roots and Community

During the BSR Cultural Pearls 2025 title year the city of Helsingborg is about to pilot new forms of co-creation, focusing on children, young people, and the elderly. By incorporating the stories and experiences of local inhabitants in how they see their city, the aim is to build a sense of community and pride that…

Cleanup in Smiltene: A chance to connect and help shape the town you call home

On April 26, 2025 a Big Cleanup event will take place in Smiltene as part of the town’s Cultural and Social Resilience Action Plan as a BSR Cultural Pearl 2025. The event will bring together residents and provide a great opportunity for Latvian remigrants, those who have returned to live in Vidzeme in recent years—to…