The most significant achievements of Latvians in sand sculptures
12. June, 2021.
Looking into the most significant events of world history and today, in Jelgava we will honor the most ambitious achievements of Latvians in large-format sand art works - Marko Rothko, "Minox" camera, the prototype of Crocodile Dundee, the world's first hologram, "Levis" jeans, Kristaps Porziņgis, etc. Celebrating 15 years since the first sand sculpture festival in Jelgava and continuing the format started last year, the most ambitious sand sculpture park in the Baltics will be opened to Jelgava residents and city guests throughout the summer. The park is open from June 19 at 10 a.m. every day, throughout the summer.
Already this weekend, on June 19, from 10 a.m. in Jelgava, the most ambitious sand sculpture park in the Baltics will open its gates on the Post Island. Telling about world legends - significant historical and modern events, this year's theme has been chosen for the sand sculpture park "Latvians in the world - from an idea to a legend".
An idea has great power. But even more important is the right time and place, leaving a mark in history and birthing a legend. Such ideas and works have been marked on the world map by our compatriots - Latvians.
Sand art works have been created in Jelgava for 15 years
The sand sculpture park, just like the legendary inventions and works of Latvians, started 15 years ago with an idea that has already been realized today in the most ambitious sand sculpture park in the Baltics. During the festival, more than 218 sculptures were created by 97 professional sculptors from 25 countries. During 15 years, such festival themes as "Court Feast", dedicated to the 270th anniversary of Jelgava Castle, World of Wonders, Time Travel, Circus, Sporting Spirit, Golden Age, Cinema, Future after 750 years, Africa, Theater, World of Animals, The ancient world and Jelgava 755.
Initially, when the festivals took place in Uzvaras Park, more than 400 tons of sand were used to create the sculptures every year. But as the festival grew, it moved to Post Island in 2015, where a 75 x 50 meter wide sand park was created from more than 900 tons of sand. Today, more than 1,200 tons of sand are used to create the sculptures each year.
The ultimate sand sculpture
Also this year, the author and leader of the park's artistic concept is one of the world's most renowned sculptors, Kārlis Īle, who, together with 6 artists from Latvia and Lithuania - Zīli Ozoliņu-Šneideri, Maija Īli, Sanita Rāviņa, Agnes Rudzīti-Kirillova, Tautvilas Povilonis and Martinas Gaubas, create an amazing the world of sand art in Jelgava. The artists started work on the creation of the sculptures already on June 2, and the work continued until the opening of the park on June 19. Meet the sculpture artists.
Specially honoring the important achievements of Latvians, this year one of the largest sand sculptures created in Jelgava will be displayed in the park. The largest and also the most voluminous work of art will be one of the park's demo sculptures, reaching a height of almost 8 meters, depicting the basketball player Kristaps Porzingis. Also, another demo sculpture will be on display in the park this year, the big coat of arms of the city of Jelgava created last year, which was restored this year. A total of 13 sand sculptures will be on display in the park.
From an idea to a legend!
Inviting you to get to know the historically significant achievements of Latvians in the world, in Jelgava, in the sand sculpture park, this year we will meet such legends and inventions in one place as - the camera "Minox" created by Walter Capa; Crocodile Dundee prototype Arvid Blumenthal; "Porsche" brand created by Anatola Lapina more than 20 years ago; Philip Halsman, creator of portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Dali and Albert Einstein; Anna Kopchovski, the first woman who traveled the world by bicycle; The world's first hologram created by Jura Upatnieks; Marko Rothko; The owner of the tobacco pipe construction patent, Kārli Pētersonas, etc.
After the opening of the park, the artists, in parallel with the already created sculptures, will continue their work on supplementing it with new sculptural wonders, allowing every resident of Jelgava and city visitor to take a look at the process of creating sand art.
Already traditionally, together with sand sculptures, in Jelgava, on the island of Pasta, fireclay sculptures are also made, which is a special clay typical of Zemgale, mixed with finely chopped fired clay particles, thus creating a special heat-resistant material suitable for outdoor climatic conditions. Once the sculptures have taken on the shapes created by the artists, they are fired at 1200 degrees heat, conjuring up a unique glow show. From June 22, 6 new works of art created by Latvian and Lithuanian ceramicists will be on display and will complement the already existing fireclay sculpture park on the territory of the Post Island
Information for park visitors
The sand sculpture park in Jelgava, on the island of Posta, is open from June 19 throughout the summer. The park's working hours are daily from 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., on holidays (June 23 and 24) from 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. Entrance fee 1 euro – for pupils, students, pensioners and the disabled, 2 euro – for adults. Admission is free for children under 7 years of age.
Important to know:
- Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to the sculpture park.
- Parking for park visitors on Pilssalas street 1.
- We would like to remind you that it is not allowed to stay with pets in the territory of Pasta Sals.
- Disinfect your hands regularly.
- Observe safe social distance - 2 meters.
- Do not visit public places if you have observed any signs of an infectious disease or do not feel well.
More www.jelgava.lv and www.festivali.jelgava.lv
The International Sand Sculpture Park is created by the city of Jelgava and the "Kultūra" institution, supported by SIA "Ramirent".
By visiting the sculpture park, the visitor agrees to be filmed and/or photographed. Recorded material may be broadcast, reproduced and distributed without restriction.
