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A sand sculpture park has been opened on Pasta Island, inviting Jelgava residents and city guests to take a look at the wonderful world of sand art. Sand sculptures can be seen in Jelgava for the fifteenth year. The theme “Latvians in the World – from Idea to Legend” has been chosen for the anniversary year, depicting world legends and their connection with our country in the sculptures. The sand park will be open daily from 10 a.m.

Everyone is invited to visit the Pasta Island and appreciate the sculptors’ achievements. Although the sand park has already opened its doors to visitors, some artists are continuing their work. Thus, visitors have the opportunity to see the behind the scenes of the work process and ask a question to the artists to understand the process of sand sculpture construction. From June 27 to July 2, the park will be able to follow how the Latvian-made camera “Minox” is made of sand, but from July 2 to 7 – how Riga-born photographer Philip Halsman – the creator of Marilyn Monroe, Dali and Albert Enstein is depicted in the sand.

“It feels like after big projects – a little tired, but you understand: something cool has happened again. There is satisfaction. This time I invite the park visitors to take the sculptures seriously, because this, in my opinion, is one of the most serious sand sculpture exhibitions. because it shows: Latvians can. I invite you to be patient, read the descriptions of the sculptures to understand why this sculpture is like this and what it is like a hero.This is another way we can build Latvian self-confidence during a pandemic ,” admits the author and manager of the artistic concept of the sand park, one of the most titled sculptors Kārlis Īle. Together with six artists from Latvia and Lithuania – Zīle Ozoliņa-Šneidere, Maija Īle, Sanita Rāviņa, Agnese Rudzīte-Kirillova, Tautvilas Povilonis and Martins Gauba – he has created an amazing world of sand art in Jelgava.

The largest work of art is one of the demo sculptures, in which K. Īle and his wife Maija depict basketball player Kristaps Porziņģis. The sculpture, which was created in 11 days, reaches a height of 7.7 meters, and about 360 tons of sand have been used in its construction. It should be noted that next to the new sculptures in the sand park, the large coat of arms of the city of Jelgava created last year can be seen, which delighted the visitors of Pasta Island also in winter, but was restored in preparation for this summer.

Exactly the image of K.Porziņģis sand is one of the favorites of the sand park, where most photos are made. “Basketball is our family’s sport, so K.Porziņģis is also our favorite,” says Krista, who together with her husband Roberts and son Oliver came to Jelgava from Bauska on the opening day of the sculpture park. Along with her family, the sculptures were also seen by Grandma, who currently lives in Germany – she was shown a sand park via a video call. “We regularly call our Grandma and show her how we spend our holidays, allowing her to enjoy what we enjoy,” says Krista. Sanita, with children and friends, has also arrived from Ērģeme, measuring 250 kilometers, to spend the day in our city, starting the tour directly in the sand sculpture park. “Impressive,” she said in one word. For the guests, this was a visit to the sand park with added value – they met K. Īle, who told the guests of Jelgava about the process of creating sculptures, which was an undiscovered novelty for them.

The sand sculpture park on Pasta Island is open from June 19 all summer long. The park’s working hours in June – every day from 10 am to 10 pm, on public holidays (June 23 and 24) from 10 am to 8 pm. Entrance fee for pupils, students, pensioners and the disabled – 1 euro, adults – 2 euros. Admission is free for children under 7 years of age.

Important to know:

• Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to the sculpture park.
• Parking lot for park visitors – Pilssalas Street 1.
• Pets are not allowed in the territory of the Pasta Island.
• Hands should be disinfected regularly.
• A safe distance of 2 meters must be observed.
• You should not visit public places if you have any signs of an infectious disease or if you do not feel well.

The visitor of the event agrees that it can be filmed and photographed. The captured material may be transmitted, reproduced and distributed without restriction.