Literature, theater and films
Liep?ja currently has one cinema, one theater ("Liep?jas teatris"), one puppet theater, and two regional newspapers ("Kurzemes V?rds" with a circulation of about 10,000 and "Kursas Laiks" with a circulation of about 6,500). The city also has several regional Internet portals. Web forums, blogs, computer games and social networking sites are very popular among young people.
Music
Liepaja is often called the capital of Latvian rock music. Many famous composers and bands have been inspired by Liepaja, including L?vi, Credo, 2xBBM and Tumsa. In the very heart of Liepaja you can find the 1st Latvian Rock Caf� and Latvian Musician's Walk of Fame. The city features the regionally acclaimed annual music festival Liep?jas Dzintars presenting bands from Baltic states as well as internationally famous guests. The city is also a place of the annual Baltic Beach Party which features a stage for rock bands raised directly on the beach and draws thousands of fans each year. Liep?ja is also a place of Organ Music festival and Piano Stars festival, being organized by one of the country's two State Orchestras, Liepaja Symphony Orchestra.
Sport
In 1998 an ice hall was built in the city which has since hosted regular ice hockey games including two youth World championship games. In Liep?ja also located Daugava Stadium and Olimpija Stadium � the home stadiums of FHK Liep?jas Metalurgs and tennis courts. On 2 August 2008 a new multifunctional sport center was officially opened. The city is also a place of international rally Kurzeme and chess tournament Liep?jas Rok?de.
Tourism and entertainment
Liep?ja encourages tourism the main attraction being pristine Blue Flag beach with white sand and rolling dunes, but it also offers a number of historical sites including Protestant and orthodox churches and the ruins of military fortifications from the times of the Russian Empire. Another
