Cesis: LAMPA Conversation Festival - A People-Powered Festival for Democratic Participation

Democracy takes effort. Democracy takes time. Democracy takes one conversation at a time.

The LAMPA Conversation Festival is an annual, free-of-charge open-air democracy festival held every summer in Cēsis County, Latvia, that has grown since 2015 into one of the country's largest civic participation platforms. Inspired by Nordic-Baltic democracy festivals, LAMPA was created to strengthen democratic culture through open, respectful, and inclusive dialogue. 

It is open to anyone to attend and co-create: liberals and conservatives, urban and rural residents, civil society and businesses, decision-makers, and individuals of various ages, gender, languages, beliefs, interests, and moral perspectives. No judgment. Everyone is welcome. It responds to growing societal polarisation and the need for meaningful spaces where citizens, decision-makers and organisations can meet as equals and hold respectful conversations. 

Organised collaboratively by the DOTS Foundation, the Cēsis County Municipality and private-sector partners, LAMPA is built on shared ownership and cross-sector cooperation. Each year, an open call invites anyone—civil society groups, public institutions, businesses, political parties, media, universities and individuals—to co-create the program. 

In 2025, 290 organisations delivered 375 events over two days, attracting more than 20,000 participants. The festival features discussions, debates, workshops, stand-ups and innovative formats such as the Politicians' Roast and Politicians' Disco, which humanise political actors and lower barriers between citizens and power-holders. The program covers a wide range of topics including politics, health, security, education, social issues, identity and culture, sports, to name a few. 

Young people under 30 make up to half of all attendees, and the festival attracts a remarkably geographically diverse audience: 25% are local residents (representing up to 15% of the county's population), while the majority travel from across the country, including 32% from other regions and 43% from the capital. 

Since its inception, LAMPA has engaged approximately 70,000 unique visitors and hundreds of organisations. Its impacts include mitigating polarisation, building social capital, fostering cooperation across sectors, encouraging civic skill development, and promoting personal growth and informed public debate. LAMPA's methodology has remained consistent – open participation and diversity of viewpoints.

Learn more: https://festivalslampa.lv/lv