LAMPA Conversation Festival
LAMPA Conversation Festival, LATVIA
Stellar events, thoughtful discussions, and hot topics. Sarunu festivāls LAMPA (LAMPA Conversation festival) has become a meeting place to exchange ideas and seek understanding between people of diverse opinions, political viewpoints, and expectations.
Purpose and Vision
The purpose of the festival is to strengthen democratic conversation culture in Latvia, foster civic engagement and active involvement in social and political processes, and encourage lifelong learning in an ever-changing world.
Founder and Origin
LAMPA was established in 2015. The idea was hatched and nurtured by the Foundation for an Open Society DOTS in cooperation with its partners – Swedbank Latvia, Cēsis Municipality, creative digital agency Armadillo, communication management agency Deep White, and the Change Agency Spark from Denmark.
Organisational Structure
The DOTS Foundation for an Open Society serves as the primary driving force behind the festival. The festival’s co-organisers include the creative digital agency Armadillo, the communication management agency Deep White, Swedbank Latvia, the Municipality of Cēsis County, and the Representation of the British Council in Latvia. LAMPA also relies on the invaluable support of volunteers both before and during the festival.
Location and Duration
The two-day festival takes place in Cēsis at the end of June or the beginning of July — a picturesque twon located 90 km north of Riga. The venue of the festival was chosen due to its proximity to the capital, good location (castle park), and helpful municipality.
Size – Participants and Events
The eleventh edition of the LAMPA Conversation Festival took place on June 20–21, 2023, gathering over 25,000 attendees from across Latvia and beyond. The programme was co-created by 290 organisations — including civil society organisations, state and local institutions, businesses, media, universities, and others — and featured 376 events in various formats. These covered a wide range of topics of both individual and national significance, from identity, well-being, and sustainability to education, health, politics, security, media and legal literacy, parenthood, and more.
In 2025, a total of 1,248 speakers / participants took to the stage, representing diverse communities, regions, organisations, and professions — from the Prime Minister and key decision-makers to business leaders, academics, journalists, civil society activists, and engaged citizens.
Who Attended
The overwhelming majority of festival attendees are under 40 years old, hailing predominantly from Riga, its metropolitan area (53%) , and the Vidzeme region (36%). Nevertheless, the festival has also drawn participants of varying ages, social backgrounds, ethnicities, and genders from diverse corners of Latvia and even abroad.
Political Participation
Political parties are invited to apply to host two-day activity tents, providing a relaxed and open environment where politicians can engage with festival visitors through conversations and interactive activities. In addition, event organisers often extend invitations to politicians to take part in discussions or other sessions. Many politicians also choose to attend the festival informally, using the opportunity to connect with the public and experience the event from a participant’s perspective.
Programme
Everyone is welcome to apply to become a contributor to the LAMPA Conversation Festival. Selected applicants may organise either a single event or a series of activities as part of the festival programme. Applications are reviewed by the core team — composed of the DOTS Foundation and its co-organisers — based on several key criteria. Proposed events must align with the principles of the LAMPA Manifesto and contribute to strengthening democracy in Latvia, which can be achieved through a variety of formats. Active engagement of festival participants and the inclusion of diverse perspectives are essential. However, events intended primarily for service or product promotion are not permitted.
The festival programme is co-created in collaboration with a wide range of organisations and individuals from both the public and private sectors, including state institutions, businesses, and media partners. LAMPA offers contributors the opportunity to host their events within the festival’s shared infrastructure — such as stages or tents — for either a one-hour or 1.5-hour slot. Alternatively, participants may set up their own infrastructure to host a two-day programme or activity. Event organisers are generally required to provide a co-payment; however, the festival also offers a limited number of opportunities for civil society organisations, social enterprises, and individual contributors to host events free of charge.