News

Nikolas Deičmans, a student of the Jelgava Specialized Swimming School, has been awarded a scholarship under the World Aquatics Scholarship Programme of the World Aquatics Federation. The scholarship is intended for the 100 most promising young swimmers in the world aged 18 to 27.

On 19 February, the Ambassador of the French Republic to Latvia, Manuel Lafont Rapnouil, paid an introductory visit to Jelgava together with representatives of the French Embassy and the French Institute. During the visit, the Ambassador met with the leadership of the City of Jelgava and became acquainted with the city’s business, education, and cultural environment, discussing opportunities for future cooperation. The Ambassador highly praised Jelgava’s long-standing and successful cooperation with its twin city Rueil-Malmaison in France.

From today, 14 February, the exhibition “In the Movement of the Soul” by textile artist Laurine Malengreau is on view at the Ģederts Eliass Jelgava History and Art Museum. The exhibition will be open until 1 April. A meeting with the artist will take place at the museum on 13 March at 3:00 PM.

Starting Tuesday, February 10, the Ice Sculpture Park on Pasta (Post) Island is open to visitors. Residents will be able to view the sculptures for as long as weather conditions allow. Please note that part of the Pasta Island area around the open-air concert hall “Mītava” will temporarily remain accessible only with an entrance fee.

On Saturday and Sunday, February 7 and 8, Jelgava will host the 27th International Ice Sculpture Festival. The theme of this year’s festival is “The Power of Illusion”. Alongside the festival, visitors are invited to explore Jelgava’s tourism attractions, many of which will operate with extended opening hours during the event. Enjoy the sculptures, the festival atmosphere, and discover Jelgava!

At the beginning of February, Jelgava invites visitors to immerse themselves in a winter atmosphere and experience the 27th International Ice Sculpture Festival, which will take place over two days on February 7 and 8. Internationally recognised ice sculptors will reveal their interpretation of this year’s theme, “Power of Illusion”, encouraging visitors to look beyond what is visible and experience moments where truth intertwines with illusion.
The festival will be complemented by a rich entertainment programme, including ice sculpture duels, science shows, illusionist performances, ice games and a slide, children’s play performances, and concerts by well-known Latvian musicians.

On Sunday, January 11, in Jelgava at the Zemgale Olympic Centre, the decisive pre-qualification match of the Latvian men’s national handball team for the 2028 European Championship will take place against Great Britain.

The first baby born in 2026 at Jelgava City Hospital is a boy, Māris. The new resident of Jelgava came into the world on January 4 at 5:08 a.m. The baby weighed 2,800 grams and was 54 centimeters long. The previous year, 2025, concluded at Jelgava Hospital with a total of 576 newborns.

Continuing the tradition of the city of Jelgava, we will celebrate the special moments of New Year’s Eve together! On 31 December at 11:00 PM, residents of Jelgava and visitors to the city are invited to Duke Jacob’s Square to see out 2025 and welcome 2026 in a musical atmosphere. As always, this will happen twice in Jelgava – at midnight together with all of Latvia, and then according to Jelgava time, 25 minutes later.

This Friday, 19 December, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., residents of Jelgava and visitors to the city are invited to celebrate the Winter Solstice in the Vecpilsēta Street quarter. Reviving ancestral traditions, visitors will have the opportunity to take part in dances and games, make masks and decorations, enjoy traditional treats, participate in the log-pulling ritual, attend a concert, and join in other festive activities. Participation in the event is free of charge.

At the beginning of February, Jelgava invites you to immerse yourself in the charm of winter and enjoy one of the city’s most anticipated events – the 27th International Ice Sculpture Festival “Power of Illusion”. The festival will take place on February 7 and 8, but ticket sales have already started.

The First Advent marks the beginning of the Christmas season. On November 30, residents and guests of Jelgava are warmly invited to gather in Duke Jacob’s Square to enjoy the festive spirit together and light the city’s main Christmas tree.