On 2 June 2008 at 4.00 pm, Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins will open a photographic exhibition of the Balticness travelling project. The exhibition is entitled ..Where the Baltic Sea and people meet... and will be on show until 24 June.

To usher in the Balticness closing concert which is to take place at the Latvian National Opera on 4 June, the opening of the exhibition will be enriched with a performance by musicians from the group Riga Groove Electro.

The exhibition consists of a total of 40 works by 24 authors – young people living in the Baltic Sea Region – on the theme of the Baltic Sea. Its aim is to promote the idea of a united Baltic Sea Region, to foster the residents' sense of belonging to the Baltic Sea, and to highlight the region's uniqueness across Europe and worldwide. Looking at the Baltic Sea through the eye of a camera, the young artists have created its mirror image and diversity, through which a sense of humour, creativity, respect for the environment, energy, and the fulfilment of dreams can be felt. The photographs are truly varied and full of emotion.

The works for the photography exhibition were selected in a competition from about 300 entries, and at the event the author of the most expressive photograph will receive an award.

The jury assessing the works comprised Solvita Krese, the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art; Aija Remerte, Latvian Culture Ministry, Visual Art and Visual Communication Division; Sandra Martinsone, Latvian Foreign Ministry, Council of the Baltic Sea States Secretariat; and Ieva Epnere, photographer.

Project Balticness has been one of the major events during Latvia's Presidency at the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS). The project itself consists of a photography exhibition, jazz concerts and discussions on regional co-operation. From November 2007 to June 2008, the project visited key cities of the Baltic Sea Region – Tallinn, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Stockholm, Oslo, Reykjavik, Copenhagen, Berlin, Warsaw, Vilnius, and is now concluding in Riga.

This project is being implemented by the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in association with Latvian embassies in the CBSS countries, local governments of the host cities, the CBSS Secretariat in Stockholm, the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art, musical alliance Ze Pirats, and the Baltic Development Forum. The project supporters – magazine Fotokvartals, gallery Centrs, Radio SWH.

For further information, see: http://www.mfa.gov.lv/lv/cbss/Balticness

The Balticness project events programme for Riga. 

Media representatives and all other interested persons are welcome to participate at the events.

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