💯 On Friday 27 March, for the second year running, the ‘Latvian Schools’ POPielas Cup 2026’ competition, organised by the association ‘Laiks Jauniešiem’, took place at the Īslīce Cultural Centre in Bauska Municipality. This year, the competition further cemented its place amongst Latvia’s leading creative events for young people – a total of 44 team applications were received, whilst 37 teams from various regions of Latvia and more than 20 educational institutions took to the stage.
💥 On stage, we saw vibrant, diverse and emotionally charged performances, in which the young people imitated their chosen artists through choreography, costumes, make-up, accessories and stage presence. The competition was particularly fierce this year, so after some very tough and lengthy discussions, the jury had to decide on the winners and the recipients of the audience choice award.
🏆 In the Years 5–9 category, 1st place went to Indriķa Zeberiņa Kuldīga Primary School with their performance “Espresso Macchiato”, 2nd place went to Jūrmala Majori Secondary School with their performance “Jūrmala’s White Girls”, whilst 3rd place went to Jūrmala Aspazija Primary School with their performance “The Fame”. Meanwhile, in the group for Years 10–12 and vocational education institutions, 1st place went to Riga Secondary School No. 72 with their performance “bigLITTLE”, second place went to Riga Secondary School No. 72 with their performance “Brandža”, whilst third place went to Valmiera Viesturs Secondary School with their performance “TAUTUMEITAS”. The Jury’s Choice Award went to the “Pirtiņa” team from Riga Secondary School No. 72, whilst the “Laiks Jauniešiem” association’s People’s Choice Award went to the “S-pilsētas Unisons” team from Salaspils Secondary School No. 1.
🎁 The competition winners received not only recognition but also cash prizes, which can be used for a class-bonding event or another jointly chosen purpose – 3rd place was awarded €100, 2nd place €200, and 1st place €300. The winners in each age group also received a challenge cup as a special token of their victory and outstanding performance.
❤️ We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the teams, teachers, school representatives, the judging panel, our partners, supporters and every visitor who attended and helped to make this special event a success. Special thanks to the event’s sponsors: Stelpe Natural Mineral Water, Āra Burkāns’s ‘Sējas’ farm, SIA ‘Geka’, SIA “Uzvara-lauks”, SIA “Kāpostnīca”, SIA “LATVOKO” (Ahmad tea), AS “Kaija”, SIA “Korte”, SIA “Ādaži” Butcher’s Shop, Flora Bakery, the “Medīgas” farm, Maijas Gardumi, “Harvest House” Bauska, the “Rezidence” restaurant, POPHouse, Bauska District Council and the Īslīce Cultural Centre.
💪🏻 The “Latvian Schools’ POPiela Cup 2026” has once again demonstrated that young people in Latvia have the talent, courage and desire to take to the stage, to create, to collaborate and to inspire one another. We will certainly continue to develop this event into a strong tradition on a national scale.
Geka SiaAhmad TeaKAIJAGaļas Nams ĀdažiFlora BakeryMaijas GardumiHarvest House Bauska“Rezidence” RestaurantPophouse.lvBauska District CouncilĪslīce Cultural CentreAgency for International Youth ProgrammesEurodesk LatviaYouth AffairsSabīne BerezinaAivo OskisJurgita ČervinskaKatrīna JankovskaGints Jankovskis Ērika Saliņa @most active fans
Photo: Nauris Veiss