LATVIA – The design competition for the restoration of the Theater Square and the creation of the Aspazija monument has been extended until June 14. Its purpose is to obtain well-thought-out, scenically, urban-planning and artistically high value mets and to choose the winner of the competition for the further implementation of the met
The design competition for the Theater Square and Aspazija monument in Riga was announced in February this year, the application deadline was May 10. Taking into account that the Riga Philharmonic design competition with the same application deadline is currently taking place at the same time, a decision was made to extend the deadline.
The word “monument” in this design competition generally refers to an environmental object that can be created using a wide variety of media – both traditional sculptural materials (stone, metal, glass, etc.) and modern technologies (sound and light installations, interactive solutions, etc.), and combinations of the two above. Along with the creation of the Aspazija monument, it is planned to improve the Theater square, making it more pleasant and comfortable for pedestrians to move and stay there.
Aspazija (1865–1943) is a talented, bright and multifaceted personality, the founder of modern Latvian poetry and drama. Her works played a significant role in stimulating the intellectual discussion about the emancipation of women and the values of modern society, about the basic conditions for the creation and existence of the human being and the meaning of life, the nation and the state. Several monuments have been created to preserve Aspazija’s memory, however, none of them are located in Riga, the city with which the most important part of Aspazija’s creative and public life is associated. The young poet came to Riga in the late 1980s and lived and worked there intermittently until the end of 1905, returning again in 1920.
The location of the monument – Theater Square – was chosen with reference to Aspazija boulevard, which got this name in 1920, in preparation for welcoming Rainis and Aspazija to their homeland after 14 years of exile. Aspazija’s creative career is connected with the Latvian National Opera, where she was involved in the production of both the opera “Vaidelote” and the opera “Fire and Night” based on the libretto by Rainis. Nearby is also the building of the Riga Latvian Society, where the existing Riga Latvian Theater was Aspazija’s first place of work in Riga, but the Old Riga poet took her works to newspaper editorial offices and visited cafes and bookstores popular with the creative intelligentsia. The circle of boulevards connects feudal and civil Riga in the same way that Aspazija’s poetry and dramaturgy create a transfer from the 19th century to the 20th century of socio-political ideas, literary directions, genres and image systems.
Any legal or natural person, association of such persons in any combination, which meets the qualification requirements of the competition and submits a project corresponding to them, and is capable of implementing the proposed project, can participate in the design competition.
The project proposals submitted by the applicants will be evaluated by the competition jury, guided by a series of essential criteria: the functional planning of the square, architectural, landscape, urban construction and artistic qualities, proposed greenery, outdoor furniture and lighting solutions, compliance with the principles of sustainability, as well as the artistic value of the Aspazija monument, originality, emotional and ideological message, technical solutions and integration into the environment of the Theater Square.
The prize fund of the design competition is EUR 14,000. The expected contract price for the development of the construction project is up to EUR 60,000 (without VAT).
The jury commission is chaired by the City’s chief designer, E. Ozola. The jury consists of specialists from the Department of Urban Development Arnita Verza and Aigars Kuškis, representative of the National Cultural Heritage Administration Anna Ancāne, representative of the Latvian Architects’ Union – architect and landscape architect Daiga Veinberga, representative of the Latvian Artists’ Union – sculptor Uldis Zariņš and representative of the Latvian Academy of Arts – scenographer and director Viktor Janson. As experts, representatives of the residents of the area around Teatra square, businessmen and representatives of AS “Valters and Rapa”, the Old Riga Society and the Latvian National Opera and Ballet will also examine the submitted estimates and give their opinion.
More information about the design competition is available in the Electronic Procurement System.
