At the end of this year, Adelaide will host a truly special event – the 60th Latvian Cultural Festival of Australia and New Zealand. This milestone not only marks six decades of celebrating Latvian culture in the diaspora but also highlights its strength, vitality, and enduring legacy. The theme for this year’s festival – “The Latvian Nation Shines and Blooms” – invites participants and audiences alike to honour creativity, unity, and the flourishing of Latvian culture across the world.

A central symbol of this celebration is the official festival logo, designed by Kalvis Šolmanis. He shares insight into the creative process behind it:

“The AL60KD logo began as a fusion between a diamond and a flower – combining the diamond jubilee, the 60th, with the theme of this year’s festival: ‘The Latvian Nation Shines and Blooms’. We went through countless concepts, sketches and versions before arriving at the logo you see today.”

At the heart of the logo is a diamond shape, representing the 60-year anniversary. At the same time, it evokes the Auseklis, a traditional Latvian symbol known as the morning star – a nod to light, renewal, and hope that resonates strongly with the theme. This abstract shape also becomes the centre of a flower – the poppy, a bloom that holds deep cultural meaning in both Latvian and Australian traditions. Radiating outward like petals or beams of light, the design further reinforces the idea of shining and blooming.

The colour palette plays an equally important role. Warm reds, golden hues and earthy tones express warmth, energy and fire – qualities that are sure to define the festival itself. These colours also reflect the landscape of Australia, with its iconic red earth and sun-soaked terrain.

The typeface used in the logo is inspired by the work of Ansis Cīrulis, a pioneer of Latvian graphic design in the early 20th century. He is best known for his patriotic posters and also created the visual design of the Latvian red-white-red national flag. His distinctive style evokes national pride and artistic strength – qualities that this year’s festival identity seeks to embody.

Kalvis Švolmanis reflects on the project with heartfelt appreciation:

“It has been a true honour to design the logo for the 60th Cultural Festival and be part of this never-ending story. I look forward to celebrating together in December!”

The 2025 Latvian Cultural Festival in Adelaide promises to be more than just a celebration of history – it will be a vibrant affirmation that the Latvian nation shines and blooms wherever its people carry their language, culture, and spirit.

Lilita Daenke
Festival Director