In accordance with the calendar set out in the Annex to the Decision, in 2027 the European Capital of Culture will be given the name of one Latvian and one Portuguese city. For Latvia, this is the second opportunity to give the name of the European Capital of Culture to one of its cities. In 2014, the name was given to two European cities Riga, the capital of Latvia, and Umeå in Sweden.

In 2027, another Latvian city will be given this honour, and no fewer than nine regional centers have thrown their hats into the ring to submit their bids in June.

Meanwhile, Cēsis, Jelgava, Jēkabpils, Kuldīga, and Ogre drop out of the running.

 Read here about the cities.