Aizpute 2025

The assebly of the “Carousel” installation – a bright temporary piece of furniture with a flower box, a table and three movable benches, as well as a place for bicycles. This piece of urban furniture was created in five days by students at the plein air “Tactical Urbanism in Aizpute – Playing with Ideas”. The object will revive the old market square in the city center of Aizpute throughout this summer.

The “Carousel” is located in the square near the Tourist Information Center (Atmodas Street 16, Aizpute), where until now only cars dominated. The name is not accidental – a real carousel used to spin here in the 1930s and a traveling circus tent gathered people during the Miķeļtirgus. The new object revives this historical meeting place, inviting Aizpute residents and guests to talk and be together. The idea for the new meeting place came about when students and high school students from Aizpute, led by experts, went on an expedition through the city and mapped the so-called “blind spots” - places in the city that remain invisible, unused, or socially empty in everyday life.

As architect Zane Vēja commented: “Blind spots or inconvenient places in the city come to life when they are given attention and decorated – allowing residents to try out how the space can be used. Aizpute’s new urban element, the “Carousel,” was inspired by the historic fairground carousel – a symbol of joy and gathering. With small funds but great energy from the students, we are today offering Aizpute’s children, youth and seniors the chance to use this new piece of furniture all summer long – so that this square can once again serve as a living space on the city.”

(Text translated from the Aizpute 2040 website, originally written in Latvian)

Images by Zane Vēja