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On June 10th and 11th, the 17th International Sand Sculpture Festival “Summer Signs 2023” will take place on Pasta Island in Jelgava, Latvia. During the festival, 17 sculptors from nine countries will depict world music hits in the sand. The opening days of the festival will feature concerts by Latvian musicians and a wide range of recreational activities for families with children.

This year, the festival will gather sculptors from Indonesia, the United States, Mongolia, Spain, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. The theme of the festival, “World Hits,” has inspired them to express globally renowned compositions such as “Hotel California,” “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” “No Woman No Cry,” “Take On Me,” and others in the art of sand sculpture, visualizing the emotions evoked by these well-known songs. The most ambitious artwork in the sand sculpture park will typically be a demo sculpture created by Latvian sculptors Kārlis and Maija Īle, inspired by the composition “Yellow Submarine” performed by “The Beatles.”

However, Latvian music hits beloved by the locals will be heard during the opening days of the festival, on June 10th and 11th, at the open-air concert hall “Mītava” on Pasta Island. On Saturday, there will be performances by Lauris Reiniks, “Credo,” “De Speakable,” and on Sunday, festival attendees will be delighted by “Very Cool People” and Paula Saija, as well as the bands “Sudden Lights” and “Dzelzs vilks.” Both days on Pasta Island will also feature a wide range of activities for families with children, including attractions, shows, and performances. The park will be open from 10 AM to 11 PM on June 10th and 11th.

Tickets for the International Sand Sculpture Festival can be purchased at the “Biļešu paradīze” box offices and online. Tickets will be cheaper during the presale period until June 9th. The ticket prices for adults are 7 euros, for students, pensioners, and people with disabilities – 4 euros, while a family ticket can be purchased for 15 euros. Discounts are available at the Jelgava Cultural Center box office with a Jelgava student ID and the “Jelgavas Vēstnesis” coupon. The ticket price with a Jelgava student ID is 3 euros, and with the “Jelgavas Vēstnesis” coupon – 5 euros.

During the festival, the entrance fee for adults will be 10 euros, for students, pensioners, and people with disabilities – 5 euros, while a family ticket will cost 20 euros. Children up to 7 years old can enter free of charge.

The International Sand Sculpture Festival in Jelgava is organized by the Jelgava City and the institution “Kultūra” in cooperation with the supporting partner Ramirent Baltic.