Venice Carnival Relocates to Liepāja: Artist Fed Up with Rich Italians

Ilze Jaunberga has returned from Italy with a suitcase full of masks and a professional burnout diagnosis. The artist, who created masks for Venice's most lavish balls, is now exhibiting her works in Liepāja under the title "Lion Republic." Symbolic, since the lion is the only animal that isn't afraid of Liepāja residents.

"I collapsed psychologically and physically," Jaunberga honestly admits, explaining why she left Venice's splendor behind. It turns out that when an artist starts succeeding commercially, people start demanding a lot from them. Well, Liepāja residents will also demand a lot – but only that the art be understandable and not too expensive.

Curator Dace Dēliņa-Lipska proudly explains that this is a rare opportunity to see Jaunberga's works in Latvia. "At that time, inviting Ilze to exhibit in Latvia was almost impossible," she admits. Now that the artist has returned with burnout syndrome, Liepāja is ready to welcome her with open arms and cold sea wind.

The artist admits this is only her third time in Liepāja. "Until now I mainly came for concerts," she says. Probably to Holy Trinity Cathedral, since it has the largest organ in the Baltics, and its sound can be heard even from the courtyard – perfect for those not yet ready to go inside. Now she's discovered that in Liepāja you can not only listen to organs, but also display art.

Local resident Jānis comments: "Well, finally someone from Venice! We were getting tired of looking only at Riga artists who've never been further than Sigulda." The exhibition "Lion Republic" will be viewable until... well, until someone breaks it or takes it home.