Culture, Good for Business, Latvia, Markets and Companies, Tourism

Aivars Lembergs.

Ten years ago, in the summer of 2002, Ventspils became the first city of Eastern Europe to host this internationally recognized art and charity project. This year, exactly 10 years after the first CowParade, Ventspils is inviting not only the recognized artists in cow painting, but also all the inhabitants of Latvia, informed  BC acting head of marketing department at Ventspils City Council

"For the CowParade event Ventspils, which is a successful international competitor in the city marketing field, is positioned alongside the world's largest cities, which all share an understanding of the importance of a comfortable, well-organized and attractive urban environment. I am delighted to see how many outstanding and talented people are involved in the CowParade Ventspils 2012 project. Painted cows on the streets and in the parks and squares of Ventspils will provide every local inhabitant and town guest with an opportunity to see a quality art in its various manifestations, while appreciating the progress in improving the city environment achieved during the years of Latvian independence," said Aivars Lembergs, the Chairman of Ventspils City Council.

Having received the symbolic working aprons from A. Lembergs, artists expressed their willingness to begin work to turn the parade cows into beautiful works of art. The cows will be painted by internationally renowned Latvian artists: Alexey Naumov, Gleb Panteleyev, Vija Zariņa, Kaspars Zariņš, Jānis Mitrēvics, Helēna Heinrihsone, Anna Heinrihsone, Elita Patmalniece, Andris Vītoliņš, Miķelis Fišers, Ivars Drulle, Aigars Bikše, Ginters Krumholcs, Leonards Laganovskis, Andris Prigačevs, Aivars Žukovskis, Mārīte Guščika, artist association Serde LV, as well as Ventspils artists Mārīte Kluša and Sarmīte Caune. Estonia and Lithuania will be represented by Merike Estna and Robertas Antinis respectively, but Museib Amirov will be the guest travelling the farthest, coming all the way from Azerbaijan. Children from Ventspils, students from the University College, athletes and other famous people will also be painting their cow.

"Cow gives us milk – one of the most vital elements. This value is both practical and symbolic, since milk represents the beginning of all flesh, and along with the life milk is the first thing we receive from the mother. When setting up my work, I will be using the similarity with my work called A glass of water, which can currently be seen at an exhibition," said Kaspars Zariņš, sharing his working idea with us.

"We are surrounded by a lot of vanishing values. By remembering these values we are saving them from oblivion and turning into a new vision for the future. In my work I would like to revive the identity of Kurzeme, an essential part of which are its dialect and the Curonian Kings. The cow will serve as a commemoration and tribute to them," says artist Andris Vītoliņš.

This year Ventspils invites every inhabitant of Latvia to take part in cow painting. The People’s Cow was presented at the CowParade introduction event – every participant of the CowParade Ventspils 2012 opening ceremony may take part in its creation by sticking a specially made colourful flower sticker. The first flower-stickers were attached to the sculpture by the champion of the Moscow’s Olympics Dainis Kūla and finalists of the “Latvijas Zelta talanti” show, as well as the representatives of the new generation of local residents – Andrejs and Alberts Kozlovs. All community members will have an opportunity to take part in creation of The People’s Cow by purchasing flower stickers at a token price and sticking them on the cow. Each creator will receive a certificate confirming their participation in creation of this work of art.