The organization FreeBelarus, the Belarusian women’s NGO “Māra” and the Office of the Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will participate in the summer Conversation Festival LAMPA in Cēsis (Latvia). Discussions, games, morning exercise, and other activities dedicated to the topic of democratic Belarus will take place in the “Bad Neighbors Tent” on July 5 and 6.
In order to ensure diversity and meeting interests of the Belarusian diaspora, two of the events will be chosen in an open competition, in which non-governmental organizations and initiatives from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are invited to participate. We encourage both the Belarusian diaspora and other organizations from the Baltic countries to enter the competition.
The annual Conversation Festival LAMPA takes place in the picturesque town of Cēsis, located just an hour’s drive from the Latvian capital Riga.
The festival features more than 300 events on a variety of topics: discussions, workshops, contests, performances, games and theater. The discussions can also be followed online at the festival website: festivalslampa.lv
The main mission of the LAMPA festival is to strengthen the culture of democracy, debate and respectful conversations in Latvia. Every year, it is attended by more than 20, 000 visitors and becomes a meetingplace for non-governmental organizations, enterprises, educational institutions, branches of foreign organizations, public administration and local authorities.
Who can apply: any non-governmental organization or initiative from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia is welcome to propose suggestions for the festival program. The main principles for participation at LAMPA are:
- YES to a respectful conversation. NO to hate speech.
- Every organizer takes responsibility for the event: content and scenario, speakers and other participants, and communication on social media.
- Conversation and involving the audience using a variety of formats.
- Diversity is valued. It is not a monologue about people who are different from us. We invite them to talk together.
- There is no place for advertising. We do not advertise products or services.
- We celebrate democracy and the culture of discussion.
How to apply: fill out this form.
Deadline: April 10, 2024, 23:59 (Miensk time)
What happens next: Applications will be processed by independent experts. We will inform you about the results by email until April 29.
We provide: stage and sound equipment for your event, an interpreter to Latvian (if necessary), mentor, publicist, and volunteers at the event site.
You provide: event content and management, participants’ arrival and stay in Cēsis. You can apply for supplementary funds to side organizations to cover transport and living expenses in Latvia. We don’t provide financial support.
Before you fill out the form, please learn more about LAMPA.
Guidelines for LAMPA event organizers
Find out more about democracy festivals in the region
For more questions: [email protected].
