To mark the beginning of the Latvia’s Cultural Capital year, the Light House has been unveiled in Cēsis’ Vienības Square. This unique installation invites residents and visitors to share their thoughts and wishes for Cēsis, transforming them into a dazzling light performance. The Light House serves as one of the heralds of the “Cēsis 2025” program, symbolizing the idea of light that dispels darkness and illuminates the cultural journey of 2025.
Using modern technology, the glass house combines light and digital art to create a special experience. Visitors are encouraged to record their wishes for Cēsis—words that bring light to dark evenings. But what makes this experience truly unique? Space technology, which transforms text into a light show. The more poetic and profound the wish, the more vibrant and expressive the light performance. Meanwhile, superficial or inappropriate words will only generate a dim, uninspiring glow. Wishes are analyzed by large language models (LLMs), evaluated according to 23 criteria across nine subcategories, considering creativity, rhythm, spelling, and more.
The Light House is open to anyone who wants to express their thoughts and witness how words transform into a visual experience. It is a symbolic way for everyone to take part in the “Cēsis 2025” journey and light up their own star in the cultural adventure of the year.
We would love for you to capture your experience in a photo or video story on social media and tag Cēsis, so we can share it—creating a gallery of locals and visitors who have sent their greetings to Cēsis and added their light to the city!
All wishes are displayed in real time on the cesis2025.lv website’s scrolling ticker. After the Light House closes in March, all recorded wishes will be compiled and published. Wishes can be anonymous or signed with the author’s name. The Light House is open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
The history and identity of Cēsis are closely tied to light, which is why the “Cēsis 2025” logo is designed not only to represent the year 2025 but also to embody the essence of culture and creativity in Cēsis. The logo’s rays symbolize shining stars—just as Cēsis will shine this year. It is a minimalist yet inspiring design that builds on the city’s existing visual identity while adding a new, meaningful dimension.
We invite you to become part of Cēsis’ cultural year and this starlit story!
Special thanks to www.stiklaverandas.lv (SIA EKO invest) for the Light House, the Cosmic Exploration Center team for content creation, and Baiba Prindule for decorating the installation!
Fulfilling its public commitment to implement a cultural program originally prepared for the European Capital of Culture 2027 bid, Cēsis, together with its surrounding parishes, is delivering an ambitious series of cultural events. In 2025, Cēsis shines as Latvia’s Cultural Capital under the slogan: “Culture in Minds, Castles, and Courtyards.”
Major partners of “Cēsis 2025”: AS Cēsu Alus, Signet Bank.
Supporter: SIA Venden.
Media partners: Santa Publishing, Baltic Outlook magazine.
This text has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence.
