International Latgale Graphic Art Symposium

The International Latgale Graphic Art Symposium is one of the region’s most significant events dedicated to printmaking, bringing together artists from Latvia and abroad each year for two weeks of creative work at Daugavpils Fortress. The symposium serves as an international platform for professional collaboration and artistic creation, bringing together diverse artistic approaches, experiences and cultures.

The symposium dates back to 2012, when the first Latgale Graphic Art Symposium was organised on the initiative of the Art Educators Association. Since 2013, it has been held as part of Rothko Museum’s international artist residency programme, gradually establishing itself as an important event within the Latvian and international printmaking community. Over the years, the symposium has welcomed more than a hundred artists from nearly forty countries.

The symposium aims to foster the development of printmaking, international professional collaboration and creative experimentation, while strengthening the position of Daugavpils and Latgale within contemporary art. Over the course of two weeks, artists work in the museum’s studios, explore the region’s cultural environment, exchange experiences and participate in presentations, discussions and other professional activities. The architecture of Daugavpils Fortress, the natural landscapes of Latgale and the region’s cultural heritage often serve as sources of inspiration for new artworks.

The symposium places particular emphasis on the printmaking studio as an experimental creative laboratory, where traditional techniques meet contemporary forms of expression and interdisciplinary approaches. Artists explore a wide range of techniques, including lithography, linocut, etching, aquatint, screen printing and digital printmaking, producing traditional prints alongside three-dimensional and experimental works. The collaborative creative process encourages the exchange of ideas and the exploration of new artistic possibilities while allowing each artist to maintain their individual style.

The symposium concludes with an exhibition at Rothko Museum, showcasing newly created works by the participants and highlighting the technical, stylistic and conceptual diversity of printmaking. Selected works become part of the museum’s contemporary art collection, documenting the symposium’s development and the artistic practices of its participants. Over the years, the symposium has become an important meeting point for international artistic exchange and professional dialogue, continuing to enrich the cultural landscape of Latgale.