From 12 to 13 June 2026, the international symposium “ElektrON – The Future of Amber” will take place in Liepāja and Pāvilosta as part of the programme of “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027”. The symposium will bring together artists, researchers, curators, and cultural historians from Latvia and abroad to collectively reflect on the significance of amber and other fossil resources in culture, economy, and human relationships with the environment.
On 13 June, the symposium will take place at the Pāvilosta Culture House. From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, a programme of lectures will explore the cultural-historical significance of amber and its potential within contemporary art and technological culture. Speakers will include artist and curator Zane Cērpiņa (Norway), professor and designer Barbara Ābele from the Art Academy of Latvia, new media artist and researcher Paula Vītola, as well as the director of the Palanga Amber Museum, Sigita Talačkiene (Lithuania), and other guests.
From 4:00 PM onwards, symposium visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the artistic concepts developed within the research processes of the PAiR residency programme as part of the project “ElektrON – The Future of Amber”. Presentations will be given by Michael Saup (Germany), Mikus Svikulis (Latvia), Ieva Viese (Latvia), Zane Zelmene (Latvia), Aistė Ambrazevičiūtė (Lithuania), Kim Hankyul (Norway), Trevor Yeung (Hong Kong), and Helen Liene Dreifelds (Canada).
The project “ElektrON – The Future of Amber” addresses questions surrounding the depletion of fossil resources and the need to redefine humanity’s relationship with the geological structures of the Earth. Amber, much like other fossil resources, has influenced culture, trade, mythology, and scientific thought for centuries. The very concept of electricity derives from the ancient Greek word “elektron”, meaning “amber”.
Visitors are invited to register by filling out the application form.
Participation is free of charge.