The First ACE²-EU European University Alliance Congress and “Kaleidoscope Culture Festival” Held in Ingolstadt
From 22 to 24 October, twenty-four students from the Latvian Academy of Culture (LAC) participated in the activities organised by the ACE²-EU European University Alliance in Ingolstadt, Germany. The students took part in three short-cycle Applied Blended Challenge (ABC) programmes and in the first “Kaleidoscope Culture Festival”. A delegation of seven LAC academic staff members also travelled to Germany to attend the first Alliance Congress and to contribute to the implementation of the festival programme.
The inaugural ACE²-EU European University Alliance Annual Congress and the “Kaleidoscope Culture Festival” brought together rectors, academic staff, students, and cooperation partners from nine partner universities. Both events focused on discussions and exchange of experience regarding the development directions of the joint European university, as well as the strengthening of the cultural and educational dimension of the Alliance.
The Congress, held at Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt and the Ingolstadt Theatre, marked a significant milestone in the development of the Alliance, fostering a joint European inter-university area that integrates academic and governance processes. The Congress programme examined the strategic development of the Alliance, sustainability and legal status issues, and the integrated approach to education, research, and innovation. LAC was represented by Rector Dāvis Sīmanis, Vice-Rector for Research Anda Laķe, LAC Alliance Coordinator Kamilla Kūna, and Professor Ieva Zemīte, who presented the progress and current developments of the LAC-led Work Package WP4 “SPACE Centre”, including support mechanisms for fostering international collaboration and creative initiatives among students and staff.
Throughout the Congress, meetings of the Alliance Management Board, Rectors’ and Presidents’ Council, Students’ Council, Academic Staff Council, and External Stakeholders’ Council were convened to provide recommendations on future priorities and on the development of a sustainable Alliance model. The closing plenary session at the Ingolstadt Theatre gathered all participants to reflect on the Alliance’s achievements during its first year and to discuss joint solutions to future challenges.
In parallel with the Congress, the first Alliance “Kaleidoscope Culture Festival” took place under the slogan “The Voices of Europe Today”, demonstrating a shared commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive European cultural space. Although organised outside Latvia, LAC acted as the leading organiser of the festival. Over three days, the festival featured 55 events, including workshops, performances, exhibitions, and creative activities. The festival programme was co-created by 118 students and 21 lecturers from nine universities. The core organising team consisted of Kristīne Freiberga, Director of the LAC Department of Audiovisual and Performing Arts Production and Management, Ieva Zemīte, Head of the SPACE Centre, and Asnāte Kalēja, SPACE Centre Coordinator.
LAC’s contribution to the festival included the workshop “Discover Latvia Through Five Senses” led by Marta Vilde and Anete Puniņa; Una Žeimute, Laila Ozola and Vendija Kokare introduced traditional Latvian courtyard games for children; Sintija Skrabe, Rūdis Vilsons and Anna Marija Puķe presented a contemporary dance performance “Among Each Other”; and a student team consisting of Sigita Urlovska, Marta Kātiņa, Roberta Vītoliņa, Fēlikss Siliņš and Jēkabs Jostsons invited participants to take part in the cultural quiz “ArteFactum”. The festival also featured Ieva Niedre, Chair of the Board of the INITIUM Foundation, who led a masterclass on community building through theatre practice.
The “Kaleidoscope Culture Festival” is foreseen as an annual ACE²-EU Alliance tradition, taking place in a different partner country each year. In 2026, the festival will be hosted in Romania, in 2027 in Latvia, and in 2028 the Latvian Academy of Culture will organise it in Portugal.
____________________________
For more information about the ACE²-EU Alliance and planned activities, visit: https://www.ace2eu.eu/
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Project 101177596. The ACE²-EU project is co-financed by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia.
Information prepared by
Aija Lūse
Communication Expert, ACE²-EU European University Alliance
Latvian Academy of Culture
