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Latvian Academy of Culture opens its doors on quarter of Miera Street

17.12.2024

On 16 December, the former Tobacco Factory Quarter opened its doors in a new form, now home to the Latvian Academy of Culture (LAC) Film School, the Institute of Culture and Arts, postgraduate students and the LAC Centre of Continuing Education. The project has given a new look, breath and space to a wide range of artistic expressions in another degraded area in the center of Riga, as well as increasing opportunities for professional development for students and researchers at LAC.


"It is a real pleasure that the vision of the development of this quarter of Miera Street, which was created several years ago, has become a reality. The former Tobacco Factory has now become home to one of our cultural forges of excellence - the Latvian Academy of Culture. In the long term, it is important that we are not only proud of the talent of our young culture professionals, but that we all work together, investing time, effort and resources, to create an environment where these people can become talents. And the new quarter of Miera Street will be such a place," said Minister of Culture Agnese Lāce at the opening ceremony.

The project is another step towards neighbourhood development and revitalisation of degraded areas. In the long term, it is planned to bring even more students and creative industries to the neighbourhood, relocating students and staff of the LAC Bachelor's degree programme’s "Dramatic Theatre Acting" and "Dramatic Theatre Directing", as well as the Riga Film Museum to the new premises.

"The long-awaited and very important first step in the transition of the Latvian Academy of Culture to the quarter of Miera street has finally been taken. Our university has been developing rapidly in recent years, both in terms of size and quality, so adequate study space is really vital. The two new blocks will provide students, lecturers and researchers with a modern and appropriate place for new knowledge, high-quality art and research," says Professor Dāvis Sīmanis, Rector of LAC.

"We believe that the Latvian Academy of Culture quarter will become an important cultural place in the near future. And the architecture only accentuates the power, joie de vivre and sincerity that characterises the younger generation. To get the whole quarter up and running, it will take a huge amount of energy, desire and resources, which are always in short supply. May the Academy of Culture succeed in creating a complete, vibrant quarter in the historic centre of Riga," wishes NRJA founder Uldis Lukševics.

Information and photo: State Real Estate