The EU report “Culture and Health. Time to Act.” has been presented in Riga

On 25 March 2026, policymakers, researchers and sector representatives gathered in Riga to discuss how culture can play a stronger role in public health systems. The event marked the Latvian presentation of the European Commission’s report “Culture and Health. Time to Act.”

Hosted at Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, the seminar brought together prominent stakeholders across the Latvian cultural, health, and social sectors to explore how European-level recommendations could be translated into the Latvian context.

Published in 2025, the report calls on EU Member States to strengthen cooperation across sectors to support both physical and mental health. It builds on growing evidence around the social determinants of health and highlights cultural participation as a key health-promoting factor.

The Riga seminar focused on turning this framework into action. Participants reviewed policy recommendations developed at the EU level and discussed practical scenarios for implementation in Latvia, with contributions from ministries, public health institutions, academia, and policy coordination bodies. When it comes to local experiences, the seminar itself highlights several Latvian initiatives as examples of good practice, including:

• A cultural prescription programme in the Cēsis region, where patients are referred to structured museum-based activities to support emotional well-being
• Artist-led residencies at the Aknīste Psychoneurological Clinic, integrating creative practice into care environments

The seminar was organised by Latvia’s newly established “Culture and Health” working group, bringing together representatives from key ministries, public institutions, and the Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture, which was working within CARE advocacy framework.

Insights gathered during the session will inform future interdisciplinary policy planning, with the aim of embedding culture more firmly within health and well-being strategies.

Learn more about the event and explore the gallery on CARE website