News

Sand sculptors from various countries around the world have arrived in Jelgava to begin work on their compositions for the 20th International Sand Sculpture Festival. Pasta Island is buzzing with activity – 15 artists from Turkey, the USA, Ukraine, Spain, Bulgaria, Poland, the Netherlands, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia are transforming sand into impressive works of art step-by-step. The sculptors will be working on their sculptures until Thursday, the 21^st of May.

This year the festival is celebrating an anniversary, and will invite visitors to embark on an exciting journey taking place millions of years ago —the Jurassic Era. Through their works, sculptors are bringing to life both the dinosaur world and stories about the development of life, the power of nature, and mutual balance. Alongside dynamic and suspenseful scenes, the sculptures also reveal peaceful moments, caring for offspring, and themes relatable to human beings, such as choices, imagination, and relationships.

Visitors in Pasta Island will also be able to see the demo sculpture “Dinosaur Meeting”, created by Agnese Rudzīte-Kirilova from Latvia and Roger Ferralla from Spain. It depicts a scene from the Jurassic Era: dinosaurs of various species gathered for a shared, everyday moment, while a Tyrannosaurus watches the landscape from above, and pterodactyls circle the sky.

Meanwhile, at the festival’s entrance gate sculpture, “Volcanus”, is being created by Sanita Rāviņa from Latvia. The Latin name “Volcanus” refers to the god of fire and volcanoes in Roman mythology—the patron of blacksmiths and craftsmen who forged armor and weapons for gods and heroes. It was Volcanus who gave his name to volcanoes, as in ancient times, it was believed that volcanic eruptions were linked to his anger and actions.

The International Sand Sculpture Festival on Pasta Island will take place this Saturday, May 23, from 10:00 AM all the way until 2:00 AM, offering a wide cultural and entertainment program throughout the day. During the day, visitors can enjoy family activities, playful theatrical performances, foam parties, creative workshops, giant games, and improvisational theater shows. In the evening, the season-opening concert will take place at the “Mītava” open-air concert hall. The band “Kautkaili,” Samanta Tīna, the band “Pienvedēja Piedzīvojumi,” and Fiņķis will take the stage, creating an energetic and diverse evening program.

Tickets can be purchased at “Biļešu paradīze” box offices and online. The festival day ticket allows visitors to freely leave and re-enter the grounds. This provides the opportunity to enjoy both the sand art and the diverse offerings of Night of Museums in a single day, wrapping up the evening with the concert program at the “Mītava” open-air concert hall. Read more about Jelgava’s Museum Night program HERE.

Ticket Prices

From May 17 to May 23:

• Adult day ticket: €15
• Day ticket for pupils, students, seniors, and disabled persons: €7
• Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children) or “3+ Family Card”: €30
• Children under 7 years old: Free admission

For persons with disabilities:

• Group I disabled persons (upon presenting a disability certificate) and children with disabilities (up to 18 years old) presenting a disability certificate without a companion: Free admission.
• Group I disabled persons and an accompanying person (upon presentation of the certificate by the disabled person), Group II and III disabled persons (upon presenting a disability certificate), and children with disabilities (up to 18 years old) and an accompanying person (upon presenting a disability certificate) must purchase one ticket for a person with a disability. Groups of persons with disabilities (upon presenting a disability certificate) and designated accompanying persons purchase tickets only for the persons with disabilities.

Guides and group leaders:

• Tour guides (upon presenting a Jelgava City guide certificate): Free admission.
• Group leaders (if the group consists of 20 or more people): Free admission.

Tickets can be purchased at “Biļešu paradīze” box offices, online, and at the entrances to the festival grounds on Pasta Island. Bank cards are accepted at ticket purchase locations.

Tickets are also valid in electronic form when presented on a mobile device. Printing tickets is not necessary.

PROGRAM (23^rd of May)

• 11:00 AM – “Kultūra” institution’s Jelgava Pop Choir and modern dance studio “Intriga” (Small Stage).
• 12:00 PM – Jelgava New Theater play-performance “The Arrival of Strangers” (Small Stage).
• 1:00 PM – Foam Party (by the Small Stage).
• 2:00 PM – Ādolfs Alunāns Jelgava Theater play-performance “Shurumburum Goes on an Expedition” (Small Stage).
• 3:00 PM – Foam Party (by the Small Stage).
• 6:00 PM – Band “KAUTKAILI” (“Mītava” open-air concert hall).
• 7:30 PM – Improvisation Theater “SPIEDIENS” with Juris Kozlovskis and Līga Kausa (Small Stage).
• 8:00 PM – SAMANTA TĪNA (“Mītava” open-air concert hall).
• 9:30 PM – Improvisation Theater “SPIEDIENS” with Juris Kozlovskis and Līga Kausa (Small Stage).
• 10:00 PM – Band “PIENVEDĒJA PIEDZĪVOJUMI” (“Mītava” open-air concert hall).
• 12:00 AM (Midnight) – FIŅĶIS (“Mītava” open-air concert hall).

Part of Pasta Island will be closed from May 21

It should be noted that during the setup and duration of the festival starting on the 21^st of May, Pasta Island will be closed to visitors. However, the children’s playground next to the Pasta Island ice rink will remain accessible. Additionally, the ice rink will be open to visitors at all times, where the Latvian national team’s games in the World Hockey Championship can be watched on the big screen, allowing visitors to experience a true hockey fan atmosphere. Read more about this opportunity HERE.

For the convenience of festival visitors, additional parking spaces will be provided in the city: in the meadow opposite Jelgava Palace, and on Peldu and Cukura streets. Parking locations will also be available in the “Waze” navigation app.

The event is organized by the City of Jelgava and the institution “Kultūra,” and supported by AS “Ramirent Baltic.”

Photos and videos will be taken during the events for publicity and public information purposes. Additional information regarding personal data processing in Jelgava State City Municipality is available on the website: https://www.jelgava.lv/pasvaldiba-par-pasvaldibu-datu-aizsardziba/.