On August 1, the PAiR Residency in Pāvilosta will host the premiere of a family walking performance called In Search of European Giants, inviting viewers to go into nature and experience one of Latvia’s most unusual environmental stories – the return of the European bison.

What roars like thunder, but isn’t thunder? What is horned like the moon, but isn’t the moon? It is Europe’s largest land animal – the bison. But what exactly is a bison, and why are there still so many stories about it in Latvia?

The performance is based on a true story about the reintroduction of bison into Pape Nature Park, which was initiated in 2002 with the aim of restoring natural meadows. However, the animals chose their own path – they left the fenced area and went to the surrounding farms, becoming part of the stories and legends of local residents. There was talk of trampled strawberry beds, ruined hay barns and night visits to house windows. After several incidents, the bison returned to the forest, and today only a few manage to encounter them.

In Search of European Giants invites you to tell the story of the Latvian bison together and try to see what often goes unnoticed in everyday life. The performance combines walking, storytelling and performance, encouraging you to think about human relationships with nature, wild animals and the landscape in which we live.

The performance will take place outdoors with elements of walking and is especially suitable for families with children from the age of five. The duration of the performance is approximately one hour.

Team:

Performers and performers – Ildze Jurkovska, Marta Madara Grantiņa
Text co-author – Rvīns Varde
Sound design – Ernests Valts Circenis
Producers – Pilna studio, Elza Siliņa
Executive producer – Luīze Dripe

The performance is created with the support of the State Culture Capital Foundation, PAiR residency and SERDE.

Information for visitors:

Date: August 1, 2026
Venue: PAiR Residency, Ernesta Šneidera laukums 11, Pāvilosta
Performance times: 14:00 and 18.00
Performance duration: 1 hour
Tickets: aula.lv/pasakumi/eiropas-milzus-meklejot (adults – 12 EUR, children – 7 EUR)
Recommended age: for families with children from 5 years old
Number of seats: 35 spectators per performance

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