TALLINN - EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2011
Stories of the Seashore
In 2011 Tallinn will become the focus of Europe’s culture scene when it takes on its role as European Capital of Culture.
The theme the city has chosen for its 2011 programme is "Stories of the Seashore". The idea is to re-open the city to the sea, and with the help of writers, musicians, actors, tell the stories of Tallinn´s, and Estonia´s, spiritual and cultural connection to the seashore.
The theme is organized into three smaller parts:
„Stories of singing together“ describe how we are all changing the world – through democracy, citizenship, community, freedom and traditions. In truth, the song and dance festivals are our biggest stories of all – we are a people of song and dance; we have the ability to come together and unified we are victorious, and we cannot forget that it is through singing that we won our freedom. In addition to the Song and Dance Festivals, music events include the Birgitta Festival and the youth subculture project, AfroReggae.
„Stories of the living old city“ will tell the story of Tallinn as a city where time has never stopped. Every morning, the people – Estonians, Russians, Germans, Finns, ect. – gather here to write a new page in our city’s history. This can be witnessed in the Old Town’s drama festival, Tallinn Teater Treff, which unite representatives of world cultures and will breathe life into the heart of Tallinn’s culture. The „Stories of the living old city“ will also feature interpretive dance with architecture in „Open Spaces Living Art“ and „Tallinn’s Marathon.“
„Stories of Dreams and Surprises“ will speak of a city and country where the internet has been declared a “human right” and which saw what the media named the world’s first Cyberwar. Together we dream of bringing the sea to the city, and we will do just this on Tallinn’s Maritime Days. Also in store is the audiovisual Plektrum Festival and the Student’s Modern Art Trianual Eksperimenta!.
Something will be happening in Tallinn every day in 2011, since the capital of culture year will be bringing some of the world’s biggest names to Estonia.
Here are some of the highlights of the programme:
The Opening Ceremony of the European Capital of Culture (31.12.2010 – 01.01.2011)
(31.12.2010 – 01.01.2011)A series of events taking place in Tallinn’s theatres and throughout the city which will culminate in a midnight celebration on the capital’s maritime border.
1st Fire Sculpture World Championships: Fire and Ice party (January 2011*)
The party will be taken to a completely new level: it will host the first ever world championships in fire sculpting in Tallinn.
30th Tallinn Old Town Days & Tallinn Treff (28.05.2011 – 05.06.2011)
During the week, Town Hall Square and the streets of the Old Town play host to concerts, theatre and dance performances, handicraft stalls and dozens of other events showcasing the area’s historical atmosphere and importance.
Birgitta Festival (11.08.2011 – 21.08.2011)
The Tallinn Philharmonic Society presents several days of outdoor concerts set in the stunning ruins of St. Bridget's Convent.
Youth Song and Dance Celebration Festival (01.07.2011 – 03.07.2011)
The Song and Dance Celebration forms a vital part of the nation’s culture. The Song Festival Grounds will play host to 35,000 young people whose songs, dances and music will tell stories of their country and its people.
Nargen Festival (01.06.2011 – 30.09.2011*) The Nargen Festival began on Naissaar before expanding throughout Estonia to become the biggest event in the country’s musical culture. It is rapidly developing into one of the most important festivals of its kind in the Baltic Sea region. The guiding principal behind the festival is that all of its venues must be accessible by sea.
Richard Wagner’s opera PARSIFAL (25.08.2011 – 28.08.2011)
One of Wagner’s most majestic works, directed by Nicola Raab from Germany.
Tallinn Maritime Days and Estonian Maritime Museum's massive project The city's huge, sea-faring festival (15.07.2011 – 17.07.2011) involves all sorts of water-related attractions including boat trips, concerts and activities for kids.
In July 2011 Estonian Maritime Museum's Seaplane Harbour will not only have a new look but also a massive new museum and sea centre.
Design Night Festival (01.09.2011 – 30.09.2011)
Exhibitions and fashion shows, as well as seminars and workshops, introduce the world of design to the public in this well-established festival.
PÖFF 15 – Black Nights Film Festival (15.11.2011 – 15.12.2011*)
World cinema is the focus of this major annual film event. Sub-festivals also cover student films and animation.
Old Town Christmas Market (27.11.2010 – 09.01.2011 and 26.11.2011 – 08.01.2012)
Christmas comes to Town Hall Square in the form of this charming market where traditional gifts, food and drink are sold.
Closing Ceremony of the Capital of Culture year featuring the bells of Tallinn (27.12.2011 – 31.12.2011*)
The end of Tallinn's year and Capital of Culture will be marked with the ringing of the city's church bells in a unique work by Estonian composer Peeter Vähi.
The best overview about the events of European Capital of Culture 2011 is available on the cultural calendar at
http://kalender.tallinn2011.ee/en/
There are also many interesting conferences held during the Tallinn 2011 programme. Events that involve conferences include:
2011: Year of Handicrafts & Annual conference of Nordic handicraft associations
Handicrafts will be the focus of attention throughout 2011 all around Estonia. The theme for the year is ‘Genuine Estonian Decorations’. The decorations and their workshop will also be present at the Song and Dance Celebrations and warmly welcomes visitors. All of Estonia will be involved in handicrafts on 22 October, when decoration workshops will be held in every county. This will culminate at the St Martin’s Day Fair and at an international conference entitled ‘Ornaments – the keys to the world’ being held at the same time.
WFTGA Convention 2011 – Culture as an all-encompassing guide
The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) is an umbrella organisation for guide associations from all over the globe as well as partners in fields connected to tourism and conference bureaux.
In putting together the programme for the conference the organisers sought to provide the participants with the latest information, the best experiences and of course the chance to get to know everything Estonia has to offer as a tourist destination.
The 2011 conference in Tallinn is expected to attract around 200 visitors from all over the world and will last the entire week.
Dovlatov Days
Russian cult author Sergei Dovlatov lived in Tallinn during the 1970s, and some of his works have given the city a kind of mythical aura. The conference, performances, literary events and excursions held as part of Dovlatov Days will look at Tallinn’s role in the author’s work and mark his 70th birthday.
The Estonian Piano and Europe
The outstanding achievements of the 230-year history of Estonian piano production will be highlighted as part of an international symposium and conference. This will be directly supported by an exhibition on the history of Estonian piano production and an extensive display of pianos in the Viru Keskus shopping centre.
If you're planning to hold a congress or convention in Tallinn, 2011 is the year to do it. In addition to showcasing music, dance, art and design – what people typically think of as 'culture' – the packed programme also includes events related to science, history and sports. Check the schedule at http://www.tallinn2011.ee/ to see what's on!
Further information: http://www.tallinn2011.ee/
