Survival Kit Contemporary Art Festival – Riga, Latvia 2025

Background & History

The Survival Kit Contemporary Art Festival, organized by the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art (LCCA) since 2009, is a cornerstone of Baltic contemporary art, born in response to Latvia’s economic crisis. Held annually in Riga, it attracts ~10,000–15,000 visitors, exploring socially significant themes through curated exhibitions and events. The LCCA, established in 2000, promotes critical art practices focusing on Latvia, the Baltics, and post-socialist regions, emphasizing gender, minorities, cultural memory, and ecological perspectives.

Survival Kit’s unique identity lies in its use of vacant buildings to spark dialogue on urban revitalization, with accessibility for diverse audiences, including those with disabilities. The 2025 edition, House of See-More, curated by Slavs and Tatars and Michał Grzegorzek, will feature 23 international artists, using the mythical Simurgh bird to explore transnationalism and liberation, challenging reductive identities and post-Soviet narratives.

Event Highlights

• Main Exhibition: House of See-More, featuring 23 artists from Latvia and abroad, exploring transnationalism, liberation, and post-Soviet identity through installations, sculptures, and multimedia (ticketed, Creative City Grīziņdārzs, 30 Aug–28 Sep).
• Performances: Live art, music, and theater performances, including site-specific works inspired by the Simurgh narrative (free/ticketed, speculative, 30 Aug–28 Sep).
• Public Programme: Guided tours, artist talks, and discussions on art and society, e.g., “Navigating Transforming Terrains” open lectures (free, speculative, 7–28 Sep).
• Workshops: Interactive sessions for children, youth, and seniors, including art mediation and accessibility-focused activities (free/ticketed, speculative, 30 Aug–28 Sep).
• Accessibility Features: Wheelchair-accessible venues, art therapy for seniors with dementia, and programs for diverse audiences (contact info@lcca.lv for details).
• Collaborations: Partnerships with Goethe-Institut Riga, Ministry of Culture, and Riga City Council, enhancing international scope (e.g., INTERDEPENDENT project).

Date & Duration

• Date: 30 August – 28 September 2025 (Saturday–Sunday, 5 weeks).
• Duration: 30 days, with main events from Wednesday–Sunday.
• Opening Times:
  • Wednesday–Sunday: 12:00 PM–8:00 PM (exhibition, events).
  • Monday–Tuesday: Closed.
  • Special Events: Guided tours (e.g., seniors’ mornings, Tuesdays 2:00 PM, speculative), evening performances (6:00 PM–9:00 PM, speculative).
• Note: Full schedule announced July 2025 at lcca.lv. All-ages event; some performances may be N18 (check lcca.lv). Outdoor/indoor venues; dress for early fall (50–60°F).

Main Event Address

• Primary Venue: Creative City Grīziņdārzs, Zemitāna iela 9, Riga, LV-1012 (main exhibition, performances).
• Additional Venues: Select events at Latvian National Museum of Art (J. Rozentāla laukums 1, LV-1010, speculative) and urban spaces in Riga (TBA, lcca.lv).
• Administrative Contact: Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art, Alberta iela 13, Riga, LV-1010, Latvia; info@lcca.lv; +371 67 039 282 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM).
• Note: Creative City Grīziņdārzs is partially wheelchair-accessible; some areas may have stairs. Contact info@lcca.lv for accessibility needs. Parking at Zemitāna iela (~20 spaces, ~$2–$5 USD/day, speculative) or public lots (~50 spaces, ~$3–$6 USD/day, 5-minute walk). Maps at lcca.lv.

Contact Information

• Email: info@lcca.lv (general inquiries, accessibility); dana@lcca.lv (press inquiries).
• Phone: +371 67 039 282 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM).
• Website: lcca.lv (program, tickets, updates); latvia.travel, liveriga.com (additional info).
• Social Media: @LCCA.lv (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X). Newsletter signup at lcca.lv.
• Leadership: Solvita Krese (Director, solvita@lcca.lv).
• Note: Contact for ticket purchases, accessibility, or group inquiries. Response time ~24–48 hours.

Ticket Information

• How to Book: Purchase online at lcca.lv (July 2025) or on-site at Creative City Grīziņdārzs (cash/card, limited). Booking fees ~€1–€2 ≈ $1.16–$2.32 USD. Discounts for students, seniors, and children (under 7 free). Free admission days TBA (speculative, e.g., opening day).
• 2025 Pricing (USD, €1 ≈ $1.16):
  • Regular Ticket: €5–€8 ≈ $5.80–$9.30 USD.
  • Discounted Ticket (students, seniors, children): €3–€6 ≈ $3.48–$6.96 USD.
  • Children Under 7: Free.
  • Free Admission Days: Select days (TBA, speculative, check lcca.lv).
  • Programme: ~€3–€5 ≈ $3.48–$5.80 USD (on-site, cash, includes schedule, artist notes).
  • Donations: Optional, ~$2.50–$12.50 USD for LCCA programs (speculative, via lcca.lv).
• Ticket Range:
  • EUR: €0–€8.
  • USD: ~$0–$9.30 USD.
• Note: Pricing per user data and web:11. Free entry for accessibility companions (book via info@lcca.lv). Tickets limited; book early (July 2025). Check lcca.lv for updates.

Cultural Experience

Survival Kit 16, themed House of See-More, transforms Riga’s Creative City Grīziņdārzs into a hub of contemporary art, exploring transnationalism and liberation through the Simurgh myth. With 23 international artists, it blends installations, performances, and discussions to challenge post-Soviet narratives and foster inclusive dialogue. Set in Riga’s evolving urban spaces, it reflects LCCA’s commitment to critical art and accessibility, engaging diverse audiences in Latvia’s UNESCO-listed capital.

Food & Drinks

• Event Venue: Food stalls at Creative City Grīziņdārzs offer snacks (pīrāgi, sandwiches, ~$2–$6 USD), coffee, soft drinks (~$1–$3 USD), and local beers (~$3–$5 USD, age 19+). Water stations are available.
• Nearby Dining:
  • Lido (Krasta iela 76, LV-1019, traditional Latvian, $5–$15 USD, 10-minute walk).
  • Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs (Peldu iela 19, LV-1050, Latvian pub, $8–$18 USD, 15-minute drive).
  • Čē (Krustabaznīcas iela 10, LV-1006, modern Baltic, $10–$20 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • Kafejnīca Siena (Zemitāna iela 6, LV-1012, café fare, $4–$10 USD, 2-minute walk).
• Alcohol Policy: Beer and wine at venue stalls (~$3–$5 USD, age 19+). Nearby bars like Čē offer local craft beers (~$4–$6 USD).

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: All-ages event with workshops for children and youth (free/ticketed, speculative). Under-12s require adult supervision; some performances may be N18 (check lcca.lv). Well-behaved dogs allowed on leads.
• Accessibility: Creative City Grīziņdārzs is partially wheelchair-accessible; some areas have stairs. Art therapy and mediation programs for seniors and special-needs audiences. Free companion tickets for 1st/2nd group impairment attendees (book via info@lcca.lv). Assistance dogs permitted. Contact info@lcca.lv for specific needs.

Getting There

• By Air: Riga International Airport (RIX, 6 miles, 20-minute drive, $10–$15 USD by taxi).
• Public Transport:
  • Train: Zemitāni Station (0.5 miles, $1–$2 USD, 5-minute walk). See www.ldz.lv.
  • Bus: Lines 11, 13 to Zemitāna iela (~$1 USD, 2-minute walk). Tickets via www.rigassatiksme.lv.
  • Trolleybus: Lines 14, 17 to Brīvības iela (~$1 USD, 10-minute walk).
• By Car: Parking at Zemitāna iela (~20 spaces, ~$2–$5 USD/day) or public lots (~50 spaces, ~$3–$6 USD/day, 5-minute walk). Car-sharing via CityBee (~$10 USD/day).
• By Bike/Foot: 10-minute walk from Zemitāni Station. Bike racks at venue (~10 spaces, free).
• By Taxi/Rideshare: Bolt/Uber ($5–$10 USD from city center). Local taxis (+371 8000 8000, ~$5–$15 USD).

Program Details

• July 2025: Full program, artist list, and ticket sales at lcca.lv.
• 30 Aug (Speculative):
  • 12:00 PM–8:00 PM: Opening of House of See-More exhibition (Creative City Grīziņdārzs, ticketed).
  • 6:00 PM–9:00 PM: Opening performance, artist talk (free/ticketed).
• 31 Aug–27 Sep (Speculative):
  • Wed–Sun, 12:00 PM–8:00 PM: Main exhibition, guided tours (e.g., seniors’ mornings, Tuesdays 2:00 PM, free).
  • Weekends: Workshops, performances (free/ticketed, speculative).
• 28 Sep (Speculative):
  • 12:00 PM–8:00 PM: Final exhibition day, closing performance (ticketed, speculative).
• Note: Schedule speculative, based on web:11, web:18. Some events N18; workshops all-ages. Full details July 2025.

Past Notable Performances

• 2024: Measures (curated by Jussi Koitela), 26 artists (e.g., Linda Boļšakova, Jeremy Deller), across Amatu iela, E. Smiļģa iela, ~10,000 attendees.
• 2023: Long-distance Friendships (Inga Lāce, Alicia Knock), collaborated with Kaunas Biennial, ~12,000 attendees.
• 2022: The little bird must be caught (Iliana Fokianaki), focused on Soviet oppression, ~10,000 attendees.

Educational Impact

• Workshops: Art mediation, creative writing, and accessibility-focused sessions for children, youth, and seniors (free/ticketed, speculative, 30 Aug–28 Sep).
• Lectures: “Navigating Transforming Terrains” open lectures (7 Aug 2025, free, speculative).
• Summer School: “Art, Agency and Institutional Transformation” (Alūksne, 6–11 Aug 2025, public lectures free).
• Programme: ~€3–€5 ≈ $3.48–$5.80 USD, includes schedule, artist notes (on-site, cash).

Cultural Activities

• Exhibition: House of See-More with 23 artists (ticketed, Creative City Grīziņdārzs).
• Performances: Live art, music, theater (free/ticketed, speculative).
• Workshops: Art mediation, youth/children’s activities (free/ticketed, speculative).
• Talks: Artist and curator discussions on transnationalism, post-Soviet identity (free, speculative).

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Tickets limited; book via lcca.lv (July 2025). Accommodation fills during the festival; reserve 6–12 months via www.booking.com or www.liveriga.com.
• Weather Prep: Early fall (50–60°F, possible rain); bring layers, waterproof shoes.
• Explore Locally: Riga Old Town (UNESCO, free, 15-minute drive), St. Peter’s Church ($5 USD, 10-minute drive), House of the Blackheads ($7 USD, 10-minute drive).
• Public Transport: Riga City Card ($20–$40 USD) for discounts on transport, attractions. See www.rigassatiksme.lv.
• Festival Info: Digital schedules at lcca.lv. Follow @LCCA.lv for updates.

Local Attractions

• Riga Old Town: UNESCO site, free (15-minute drive, LV-1050).
• St. Peter’s Church: $5 USD, panoramic views (10-minute drive, LV-1050).
• House of the Blackheads: $7 USD, historical museum (10-minute drive, LV-1050).
• Latvian National Museum of Art: $6 USD (5-minute drive, J. Rozentāla laukums 1, LV-1010).

Accommodation Options

• Hotels:
  • Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel ($100–$180 USD/night, 73 Elizabetes iela, LV-1050, 10-minute drive).
  • Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga ($150–$250 USD/night, Aspazijas bulvāris 22, LV-1050, 15-minute drive).
• B&Bs: Neiburgs Hotel ($80–$150 USD/night, Jauniela 25/27, LV-1050, 15-minute drive).
• Hostels: Cinnamon Sally Backpackers ($20–$50 USD/night, Merķeļa iela 1, LV-1050, 10-minute drive).
• Airbnb: Apartments ($30–$100 USD/night, near Zemitāna iela or Old Town).

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at Creative City Grīziņdārzs; nearest hospital is Riga 1st Hospital (Bruņinieku iela 5, 10-minute drive).
• Security: Bag checks at venue; no glass bottles or weapons. Contact info@lcca.lv for concerns.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; masks optional. COVID-19 policies TBD at lcca.lv (July 2025).
• Safety Tips: Secure valuables; stay hydrated (free water stations); follow venue signage.