Updated
19.08.2025
For the second year in a row, the environmental installation ‘Kopgalds’ has been opened
On Tuesday, August 19, in Old Riga, the shopping center Galerija Centrs unveiled the environmental installation Kopgalds (“Common Table”) for the second year in a row. Its main goal is to encourage togetherness and reduce the growing problem of loneliness in society. The installation is designed as a meeting place and event platform accessible to the wider public. Kopgalds is a socially oriented project by Galerija Centrs, created for workshops, conversations, work, study, and other social activities in the urban environment.
Recent data shows that in recent years loneliness has been rising especially sharply among young people and young professionals, even surpassing seniors. Experts link this to the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, life changes, economic pressures, an intense work environment, and excessive use of social media. Prolonged loneliness seriously affects health, increasing the risks of depression, anxiety, harmful habits, cardiovascular diseases, and even premature death. That is why loneliness should be viewed as a significant public health issue requiring targeted solutions.
To reduce the growth of loneliness in society, it is essential to create accessible and open spaces that encourage regular in-person social contact. That is exactly what the Kopgalds social project at Galerija Centrs aims to do—inviting city residents to gather for conversations and activities, strengthening a sense of belonging, and fostering a healthier urban environment. The project’s goal is not only to highlight the issue of loneliness but also to offer a practical and long-term effective solution to help people overcome isolation and emotional detachment.
“Loneliness is a pressing issue that especially affects the young generation of seemingly active and modern city dwellers. With the Kopgalds project, we are offering a sustainable and contemporary solution—a public urban space not only for meeting and socializing but also for building new and lasting communities,” says Annija Matīsa, Marketing Manager of Galerija Centrs.
Any company, organization, or initiative group is invited to apply and use Kopgalds for their activities—lectures, workshops, discussion evenings, or other events aimed at promoting togetherness and reducing loneliness. Those interested are encouraged to get in touch by writing to info@galerijacentrs.lv
, so that together we can create content that strengthens belonging and supports the emotional well-being of society.
