Liepāja Residents Offered Meditation, Breathing and Gong Listening - Maybe They'll Finally Stop Complaining About Trams

Liepāja municipality has decided that the city isn't satisfied with just rock music festivals and Karosta Prison - now they're offering us spiritual cleansing too. On March 14th, a full day will take place at the "Great Amber" concert hall, where residents will be taught to meditate, breathe and listen to gongs. Because, as we know, after riding the tram along Liepāja highway, you really do need meditative peace.

"I think this is exactly what we were missing," says Karosta resident Gunta, "now I can go to yoga instead of just counting in the mornings how many times the tram has braked on the way to work." The program also includes a lecture on emotion regulation, which will be especially useful for those who have tried to get through the city center renovations without swearing.

On Sunday, events will continue in smaller groups throughout the city. They offer forest therapy in the Seaside Hospital's Sensory Garden, meditative painting, and even sauna rituals at the museum. "Finally something sensible in Liepāja!" says local pensioner Uldis, "now I can say that our cultural life is as rich as Riga's, except we also have the sea and fresh air."

Participation is free, but the number of places is limited - just like everything good in Liepāja. Registration until March 10th, because even spiritual needs require planning. And if anyone thinks this is just a fashion thing, let me remind you - this is the second year in a row for such an event, so Liepāja residents really do want to hear themselves. Maybe even better than Riga residents hear metro noise.