The Valmiera Summer Theatre Festival is a performing arts festival set in an urban environment. One of the cornerstones of the festival is sustainability; artists are invited not only to reflect on the resources needed for creating their art, but also include environmental themes in the content of their performances. The festival embraces a sustainable approach by eliminating printed materials, instead focusing on technology-based solutions and by following principles of circular economy, for example, re-using various materials across different areas of the festival, including advertising, decorations, and infrastructure.
Artist residencies and project partnerships
In collaboration with Latvian stage professionals, the festival offers international artists 2–3-week residencies in Valmiera for creating new ideas or adapting existing visions/productions for performances in a specific urban environment through sustainable, environmentally-friendly methods. The festival also offers various collaboration opportunities for ideating and executing international projects.
Children’s and Youth Theatre Institute
The festival offers performance arts professionals the opportunity to enter a continuing education programme that develops skills for working with children and youth by promoting the creation of new productions.
The Valmiera Summer Theatre Festival programme is built around works created specifically for the event by locally and internationally renowned artists. The city of Valmiera serves as a backdrop of unusual locations for original productions and unique events forthe entire family that entertain, enlighten, excite. The festival takes place every year, and every other edition is dedicated to productions for children and teenagers.
The festival has gained wide publicity as well as the respect and recognition of audiences, theatre professionals, and critics. In 2016, it received the Latvian Television and Latvian Radio award “Kilograms kultūras” (“Kilogram of Culture”)as the surprise of the year. The festival has also won several “Spēlmaņu nakts”(“Players’ Night”) accolades, including for the best play for teenagers (2019), the best play for children (2020), the best dance play for children and teenagers (2021) as well as the jury award (2019) and prizes for individual festival artists.
For several years now, the festival has partnered with the RISEBA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES to host a summer school on ephemeral architecture and urban design right in the city of Valmiera. The variety of installations and objects created during the project is an event in itself that never fails to impress and attract visitors and stir discussions.
The festival of other songs, a large-scale concert. Artistic director Jēkabs Nīmanis, director and playwright Mārtiņš Meiers.
Victory is but a moment, the play about football. Author and director Valters Sīlis (premiere at 2020 Festival).
Chill, an opera. Composer Anna Ķirse, idea and space Katrīna Neiburga, choreography Kristīne Brīniņa, direction Klāvs Mellis.
The Queue, a case of 21-st century absurdism. Director Toms Treinis.
Lungs, the anxiety of the soul in the language of dance. Director Inese Mičule.
Near and far, a dedication to homes and lodgings. Authors Elīza Dombrovska, Kirils Ēcis.
The hammock community, a travelling show (for children). Director Sabīne Alise Ozoliņa.
Marija and the lightning, a summery play about loves and likes. Director Paula Pļavniece (premiere at 2021 Festival).
Urban safari, an audio play for the whole family. Creative team Pamela Butāne and Ance Muižniece (premiere at 2021 Festival).
A play that takes you on a mission THEEND OF THE WORLD AND OTHER NONSENSE. Director: Krista Burāne
The legend of the Joy Eaters TRIBE. Director: Toms Treinis
A comedy dance performance about teenage firsts SALAD DAYS. Choreographer and director: Liene Grava
A tale beyond the goalposts THE BALL DOESN’T TALK. Director: Māra Uzuliņa
A summery play about loves and likes MARIJA AND THE LIGHTNING. Director: Paula Pļavniece
STUDENTS’SHED. A walking documentary theatre play THE RIVER. Author, director, and choreographer: Kristīne Brīniņa
A play for teenagers SAMSON’S VOYAGE. Director: Endīne Bērziņa
An audio play for the whole family URBAN SAFARI. Creative team: Pamela Butāne, Ance Muižniece
A play about football UZVARA IR MIRKLIS (VICTORY IS BUT A MOMENT). Author and director: Valters Sīlis. Venue: sports field of Valmiera Secondary School No. 2, 11 Raiņa Street, Valmiera
One-act play on evolution α SAPIENSI (α SAPIENSES), director Elmārs Seņkovs. Venue: Valmiera open-air stage
Performance-installation VIJOLĪŠU APSĒSTĪBA (VIOLETOBSESSION), authorand performer Inga Tropa. Venue: Valmiera Secondary School of Design and Art,12 Purva Street
Performance of movement and sound SATIKT (MEET). Authors: IevaKrish.Venue: Hangar in 12A Purva Street.
Possiblya comedy (very dark) Martin McDonagh INIŠMORAS LEITNANTS (THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE), director Mārtiņš Eihe. Venue: backyard of 12 Beātes Street
Dance performance for the family PUS OTRS (SALAD DAYS), director Liene Grava. Venue: 2 Andreja Upīša Street, Valmiera.
Garage-sized play for children PAGALMS ATDZĪVOJAS (THE BACKYARD IS ALIVE), director Toms Treinis. Venue: backyard of 11 Rīgas Street, Valmiera
Happening VISS BŪS LABI (IT’LL BE OK), author Monika Pormale. Venue: shop window in 28 Rīgas Street.
Leisurely audio play not unlike an excursion TOUR DE VALMIERA. Authors and performers: KVADRIFRONS. Venue: various locations around Valmiera.
STUDENTU ŠĶŪNIS (STUDENTS’ SHED),audio play for the tour “Fantāziju intervences Valmierā” (“Fantasy Interventions in Valmiera”) created by students of the Latvian Academy of Culture as part of their assignment to fuse documentality with fiction. Venue: various locations around Valmiera. Recordings by: Linda Rudene, Katrīna Dūka, Aldis Pommers, Jurģis Sulenieks, Kristiāna Šuksta.
Visual sound exposition TĀLAVAS TAURĒTĀJS (THE TRUMPETER OF TĀLAVA),video paintings: MAREUNROL'S. Venue: Concert Hall “Valmiera” in the Bachelors’ Park.
Performance on a moving bus UNWANTED, director Jessica Wilson.Venue: bus
Danceperformance for the family PUS OTRS (SALAD DAYS), director LieneGrava. Venue: 2 Andreja Upīša Street, Valmiera
Adventures in scientific non-fiction STACIJA NEZINKASKURIENS(WHOWHATWHERE STATION), director Paula Pļavniece. Venue: Valmiera Memorial,2A Lucas Street, Valmiera.
Play about rules TOOLS TO RULE, created by Ajjar Ausma,Helen Reitsnik, Kaart Tõnisson, [1] Päär Päärenson, Tiina Mölder(Estonia). Venue: Bachelors’ Park, 10 L. Paegles Street, Valmiera
Garage-sized play for children PAGALMS ATDZĪVOJAS (THE BACKYARD IS ALIVE), director TomsTreinis. Venue: backyard of 11 Rīgas Street, Valmiera
Encounter with a touch of horror B_Ž_S, director Reinis Boters(Kvadrifrons). Venue: Hangar in 12 Plostnieku Street, Valmiera
Performance in the garden MŪŽĪGĀ IZLAUŠANĀS (ETERNAL ESCAPE), director Klāvs Mellis (Kvadrifrons). Venue: Garden in 9 Beātes Street, Valmiera
Short-form dance series by the newchoreographers ĀRĒJAIS KLIMATS /IEKŠĒJAIS LAIKS (EXTERNAL CLIMATE /INTERNAL TIME). Venue: Valmiera Drama Theatre
Black comedy Robert Askins HAND TO GOD, director Kārlis Krūmiņš.Venue: Valmiera Drama Theatre
Fantasy about Freedom “THE FLIES” (“MUŠAS”) (Kārlis Krūmiņš adaptation of the play of the same name by J. P. Sartre). Director: Kārlis Krūmiņš. Venue: the old kettle stockyard in Valmiermuiža, Dzirnavu Street 15
World premiere! Contemporary opera “UNKNOWN UNKNOWN” (“NEZINĀMAIS NEZINĀMAIS”). Production, stage and libretto by Viesturs Meikšāns. Venue: Purva Street 12A, C block (hangar), Valmiera
Musical theatre performance “THE SPRING” (“PAVASARIS”). (Based on a play “Spring Awakening” (1891) by F. Wedekind). Director: Alicia Geugelin and creative team Kvadrifrons. Venue: Business and Logistics Centre “VALTECH”, Leona Paegles Street 47, former Valmiera bread factory territory
Musical journey involving construction vehicles and demonstrations “TRACTOPERA” (“TRAKTOPERA”). Playwright and director: Andris Kalnozols. Venue: a meadow by Valmiera animal shelter, Mālu Street 5/7, Valmiera
Theatre in an empty swimming pool “WHERE IS VIKTORS SAPROPELIS” (“KUR PAZUDIS VIKTORS SAPROPELIS?”). Director: Paula Pļavniece. Venue: Swimming pool, Zvaigžņu Street 4, entrance from a courtyard of Valmiera Pārgauja Secondary School
Creative workshops and series of performances for children “THE BEAST” (“NEZVĒRS”). Creative team: Lone Twin /UK/. Venue: concert hall VALMIERA, Leona Paegles Street 10, Valmiera
Moccumental theatre performance “INUAKI, THE REPTILIAN WITHIN ME” by Aryana Havah (“INUAKI REPTILIS MANĪ”). Director: Inga Tropa. Venue: non-existent psychotherapist’s cabinet, Meža Street 7, entrance from the parking lot, Valmiera
STUDENTS’ SHED, Venue: Valmiera Museum herb garden, Pilskalna Street 2, Valmiera
A STRING OF LATVIAN FOLK STORIES (performance for children created by stage art students of Latvia Culture Academy),
Documental stories (performance for young adults created by stage art students of Latvia Culture Academy),
Valmiera Drama Theatre stage play “Stories about life in the woods. FOREST DAUGHTERS. By S. Reinsone”. Director: Mārtiņš Eihe. Venue: forest by the river, Gauja Steep Banks Park of senses, Valmiera
Theatre in a furniture store “WHERE IS VIKTORS SAPROPELIS?” (“KUR PAZUDIS VIKTORS SAPROPELIS?”). Director: Paula Pļavniece. Venue: furniture store in Valmiera
Documentary dance performance “LET’S PLAY HOUSES” (“SPĒLĒSIM MĀJĀS”). Director: Kristīne Brīniņa. Venue: near the woods by river Gauja
Performance with elements of creative laboratory “WATER” (“ŪDENS”). Director: Inga Tropa. Venue: National Fire and Rescue Service territory in Valmiera
Performance with adventures in the forest “HIDEOUT” (“ŠTĀBIŅŠ”). Director: Kārlis Krūmiņš. Venue: secret place in the forest that has to be found throughout orienteering game
Musical journey with involvement of construction vehicles “TRACTOPERA” (“TRAKTOPERA”). Director: Andris Kalnozols. Venue: private grounds in Valmiera
Estonian – Latvian joint project, a performance for children “MINDSTUFF”. Director: Estonian Contemporary Dance Company ZUGA. Venue: underground parking lot of a trade center
Real “stuff” about a nightclub for youngsters “CLUB” (“KLUBS”). Director: Elmārs Seņkovs and Pauls Iklāvs. Venue: nightclub in Valmiera
Courtyard theatre for children “COME OUTSIDE!” (“NĀC LAUKĀ!”). Director: Kārlis Krūmiņš. Venue: Various courtyards of Valmiera apartment houses /the spectacle was nominated for “Spēlmaņu nakts” prize in a category “Theatre play of the season 2016/2017 for children or young adults”
Concurrent program: Sound performance – audial installation in the form of a concert “THE SWAMP WADER. FAMILY TREE”. Director: Kristaps Pētersons. Venue: The Gauja Steep banks Park of senses
Rainis “I PLAYED, I DANCED” (“SPĒLĒJU, DANCOJU”) (a night with devils, masks and love). Creative team: director Mārtiņš Eihe and folk group “Iļģi”. Venue: the court of the old kettle stockyard in Valmiermuiža
Rūdolfs Blaumanis “TRUMPETER OF TĀLAVA” (“TĀLAVAS TAURĒTĀJS”) (fashion sound poem). Creative team: fashion designers MAREUNROL’S, musician Shipsea, director Elmārs Seņkovs. Venue: the old train depot in Valmiera
August Strindberg “MISS JULIE” (passion drama). Estonian performance on tour - MTÜ Kell Kümme theatre. Venue: Courtyard of Valmiera Museum
Courtyard theatre for children “COME OUTSIDE!” (“NĀC LAUKĀ!”). Director: Kārlis Krūmiņš. Venue: Various courtyards of Valmiera apartment houses /the spectacle was nominated for “Spēlmaņu nakts” prize in a category “Theatre play of the season 2016/2017 for children or young adults”
The young and free theatre “SUPSUPSUKAS”. Director: Jurijs Djakonovs. Venue: Valmiera skatepark
