This time, many are united not only by the joy of art and meet again, but also by sadness. Both locals and visitors to the city admit that they do not want to see the end of this event.
The organizer of the event, Miks Magone, posted a photo on his social networks a few days ago with the inscription “<a href="https://www.world-today-news.com/zemlika-festival-will-take-place-in-durbe-over-the-weekend/" title="'Zemlika' festival will take place in Durbe over the weekend”>Zemlika, Durbe, 2011-2024″.
On the first day of the event, he confirms that
this is really the last festival of its kind in Durbe.
When asked why he made such a decision, M. Magone explained: “Coincidence of different circumstances, maybe. Some things were predictable.
I mean, it couldn’t be easier to do. And not just financially, which is also a reason, of course. And it is clear that this year will be with a loss. But every year it was not easier to do it in those places on which the festival depends.
For example, the Culture House. Each place has its own leader, each has a special role. And that nickname, I don’t know why, all those 13 years have come out again.
With sad teeth and with great pain, we came to the conclusion that yes, we can show theater in the local primary school, but its difficulties and sometimes inconceivable obstacles reduce the feeling
We realized we can’t fight.”
He says other factors also contributed to the decision. For example, the guest house, which has entertained visitors to the festival for all the years until now, is not doing so this year.
M. Magone says that this was one of the first places where people looked for accommodation, but this year when they received a negative response, many were afraid. “People don’t have a place to physically live anymore. They fear it and don’t want to go into the unknown.”
The city’s support with the building has always been there, however, the organizer does not deny that the negotiations have not become easier over the years.
This time we also had to pay the fee to hold the Saturday market. This is news for the organizers of the festival, because until now they have lived with the idea that the city is interested in inviting merchants.
“Bureaucratic moss is growing, I think,”
the potter does not hide his thoughts.
“I hear that people complain that this is because the counties were merged, so Durbe is no longer in the center and all the other parishes, except Grobiņa, have the margin. Recently, we had to hear such sad stories from the locals. To be honest, I feel that way sometimes.”
When asked if the festival will be revived with time, M. Magone answers uncertainly. He admits that something similar could still happen, but not in Durbe.
He promises that if there is an opportunity to organize a concert this summer without problems, he will definitely do so. “We do this just to have fun.
It is our passion, our hobby. If we feel we can do something without problems, it will happen. There won’t be a festival like this again.”
Pianist Vicky Chow, who traveled the long way from New York, also visited Durbe for the first time. She says that Latvia is not a foreign place. Before this they visited Liepāja, Ventspils and Cēsis.
The musician admits with a smile that she really likes the smallest town in Latvia, because after living in the “cement jungle” she likes to spend time closer on nature, especially in the beautiful autumn.
The Durbe Lutheran Church was full of visitors during her and the Norwegian bass quartet concerts. Many had to stand, but some chose to sit on the ground. The warm drinks available there helped to warm up.
Vicky has shown her piano playing skills all over the world, but her favorite is just the kind of concerts that Durbé got yesterday – intimate ones, where the audience is close, packed immersed in the peaks and willingly sit on the ground to be. closer to the stage.
The festival with a market, erudition game, film selection, theater and artists from Latvia, Germany, Canada, France, USA and Norway continues today.
Grant of media support funds from Latvian state budget funds. The portal liepajniekiem.lv is responsible for the prepared content.
