A Stroll Along Vanemuine Cultural Street

Thursday, 8th May
15.00
Starting at the Jakob Hurt Memorial

During the walk, Ants Siim from the City Museum and Ülo Treikelder from Tartu Public Library will share stories and read excerpts. The stroll concludes in Central Park.

“Walking with Mother River” – a psycho-geographical journey and performance in motion with Andy Willoughby (UK) and Joanna Ellmann (Estonia)

Thursday, 8th May
16.00
Meeting point at the Arch Bridge (Town Hall Square side)

Andy and Joanna invite you to take a walk with them by the beloved Emajõgi river, taking part in some meditative/magical interactive moments with the river, its history and ecology and hear some of their collaborative work they have been developing since 2023 (Andy’s last visit to Tartu) in a new sequence entitled When Rivers Entwine seeks to link Tartu’s river with the River Wear in Andy’s town of residence Durham in the North East of England through the mixed consciousness of the two poets. Some of your response on the walk will be collected at the end so Andy and Joanna can respond to/weave them into a new end piece for their bi-lingual sequence. They will perform one or two poems along the way and a few at the end of this original journey.

In English and Estonian.

The walk is part of the project “Tartu Revisited” – Walks with Former Writers-in-Residence.
See also: https://kirjandusfestival.tartu.ee/en/tartu-revisited-walks-with-former-writers-in-residence/

Andy Willoughby (UK)

An Evening with Finnish Author Kjell Westö

Thursday, 8th May
17.30
Tartu Public Library

The distinguished author of Finnish-Swedish literature will be in conversation with literary scholar Esbjörn Nyström. Westö’s novels vividly depict his hometown, Helsinki, across various decades of the 20th century. His latest novel, “Twilight 41” (“Skymning 41”), explores World War II, particularly the end of the Winter War and the brief peace period of 1940–1941. The book remains eerily relevant even in 2025. Published by Eesti Raamat, translated by Tõnis Arnover. Copies will be available for purchase on-site.

The discussion will be in Swedish, with simultaneous translation into Estonian.
Supported by the Finnish Institute and the Finnish Literature Exchange (FILI).

Kjell Westö (Finland)

“Literature with Spark” – An Evening of Emerging Writers

Thursday, 8th May
18.00
Culture Club Salong, Tartu Literature House

Featuring readings by Helena Aadli, Triinu Kree, Talvike Mändla, Gustav Nikopensius, Heneliis Notton, and Joosep Vesselov.

“The Most Important Street in the World” – A Spring Evening Discussion with Julia von Lucadou and Ernesto Salazar-Jiménez, moderated by Kai Aareleid

Thursday, 8th May
19.30
Tartu German Cultural Institute

German author Julia von Lucadou hails from Heidelberg, a UNESCO City of Literature, and is currently a Goethe Institute resident in Tartu. Ernesto Salazar-Jiménez, with Venezuelan roots, joins from Bremen, another UNESCO City of Literature.

The discussion will be in English, with readings in multiple languages.

Julia von Lucadou (Germany)

Ernesto Salazar Jimenes (private collection)

Ernesto Salazar-Jiménez (Germany)

TarSlämm Poetry Slam Final at Vilde & Vine, Featuring Guest Performer Yuri Miki (Japan)

Thursday, 8th May
20.00
Vilde & Vine

The grand and electrifying finale of TarSlämm traditionally takes place during the Prima Vista festival – and the time has come! On May 8th, the most outstanding performers from the four preliminary rounds will take the stage at Vilde & Vine, led by hosts Sirel Heinloo and Toomas Leppik. The special guest is renowned Japanese performance poet Yuri Miki.

Estonian and English translations of Yuri Miki’s performance will be displayed.

Yuri Miki (Japan)

“The Living Library” for Schoolchildren

Friday, 9th May
10.15–11.15
Tammelinn Library

“The Living Library” for Schoolchildren at Tammelinn Library.

Meeting with Reeli Reinaus

Friday, 9th May
10.20–11.05
Ilmatsalu Basic School

Award-winning author Reeli Reinaus has published numerous books for children and young adults. Her works seamlessly capture everyday childhood experiences, teenage struggles, crime stories, and thrilling tales with a touch of mystery.

Puppet Show “Adventure in the Book Forest”

Friday, 9th May
10.30
Tartu Public Library

Ilmar Tomusk’s play “Adventure in the Book Forest” was created for the Tartu Public Library puppet theatre troupe to mark the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Estonian book.

“The Living Library” for Schoolchildren

Friday, 9th May
11.15–12.00
Ilmatsalu Library

“The Living Library” for Schoolchildren at Ilmatsalu Library.

Meeting with Liina Vagula

Friday, 9th May
12.00
Annelinn Library

Liina Vagula is a young adult author whose books offer deep and engaging experiences, reflecting the challenges and dreams of young people. Her stories help readers see their own problems through different perspectives.

“An Alternative Guide to Local Saints” – a walk with Quigley Cryan Brockbank (UK)

Friday, 9th May
13.00
Meeting point at Town Hall Square

“I spent my residency writing about a specific English saint, so in the tour, I explore the overlapping space between sainthood and folklore through a series of homemade miracles and martyrdoms.” — Quigley Cryan Brockbank

Quigley Cryan Brockbank (UK)

Workshop and reading with the current writer-in-residence of Tartu City of Literature, Helene Grøn (Denmark)

Friday, 9th May
15.00
Fahrenheit 451° Book Room

Mixing readings of her work with encouraging the participants to write and reflect on themselves, Helene will explore the connections between memories, place and storytelling. In her work and time in Tartu, Helene will write through the literary form of memory as expressed – in books, buildings, and surroundings. Participants are invited into exploring memory as a guide of poetry and form, leading to a deeper understanding of and kinship with the existing stories around us.

Helene Grøn (Denmark)

An Evening with Kristiina Ehin: “In the Landscapes of Heart Dams”

Friday, 9th May
16.00
Tartu Public Library

Ehin’s novel “Behind the Heart Dams” is largely about Tartu, yet other places also play a symbolic and meaningful role in this polyphonic work, written in prose, poetry, and diary form. Between the two fundamental questions—“Where do we come from?” and “Where are we going?”—the novel explores the mutual influences of places, personal experiences, and cultural narratives, all set within the natural and memory landscapes of heart dams. This multi-layered autobiographical novel, recognised with the Vilde Literary Prize and nominated for the Estonian Cultural Endowment’s Prose Award, will be discussed by the author Kristiina Ehin and literary scholar Eve Pormeister.

“Tartu: Rewritten” – A Walk with Kristina Sadauskienė (Lithuania)

Friday, 9th May
16.30
Meeting point at Kassitoome

An hour-long walk through central Tartu. Starting point – near the Kassitoome. Ending point – not clarified. Despite the guide’s claim that everything is true, she is not to be completely trusted.

The tour will be in English.

Kristina Sadauskienė_illustration by Miglė Anušauskaitė

Kristina Sadauskienė (Lithuania)

Meeting with Latvian Author Daina Tabūna

Friday, 9th May
18.30
Bookshop Biblioteek

The meeting with the author will take the form of a discussion, where participants can join actively or simply listen. The discussion will be led by Ilze Tālberga. Copies of Tabūna’s book “Witches” will be available for purchase on-site.

The event will be held in English.

Daina Tabūna (Latvia)

Concert “Writers in Music”

Friday, 9th May
20.00
Culture Club Salong, Tartu Literature House

Programme:
Joonas Veelmaa’s musical concept
Mahtra Süda
Naelravi
DJ Berk Vaher

Joonas Veelmaa is primarily active as a poet. Occasionally, his poetry programmes include songs. For Prima Vista, he has compiled a musical programme. Perhaps there will be laughter, but maybe there won’t be tears, and if there are tears, they will only be for him.

Mahtra Süda is a band with the most mysterious rehearsal schedule in Estonia. Their music not only blends music and text but also captures the hearts of the audience. They are looking for generous contributions from business angels and financial speculators.
Kaisa Kuslapuu: vocals, synthesiser, surprise
Joosep Vesselov: electronics
Oskar Nursi: drums

Naelravi (Nail Therapy) is a rock band founded by Vahur Afanasjev. In a raw, guitar-driven style, they perform songs with lyrics by Vahur Afanasjev, Jaan Kaplinski, Artur Alliksaar, and Janar Sarapu. Naelravi is more powerful than acupuncture. We’ll now prescribe this remedy for you!
On the photo nn order of height:
Ege Emma Rohusalu: bass
Toomas Leppik: vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
Riko-Sander Pensa: lead guitar
Rait Herman: drums

Cinema Theatre Tartu Elektriteater presents: “City of God” (Brazil, France, USA, 2002; directors: Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund)

Friday, 9th May
20.00
Cinema Theatre Elektriteater

Cinema Theatre Tartu Elektriteater presents: “City of God” (Brazil, France, USA, 2002; directors: Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund)
The screening will be introduced by festival guest, the writer Ernesto Salazar-Jiménez.

Ticket: €7, see elektriteater.ee for details.

Curator’s Tour in English: “Estonian Book 500” Wall Installation

Saturday, 10th May
11.00
Estonian National Museum

500 years ago, the story of the Estonian language book began. To celebrate the Estonian Book Year, a wall installation has been created in the shape of a primer rooster’s head in the foyer of the A-section of the Estonian National Museum. Using a witty visual language, artist Siiri Taimla-Rannala has depicted the entire vibrant narrative, thereby revealing the history of the Estonian literary language, reading, education and literature.

As part of the Prima Vista program, the panel curator, literary scholar, and poet Sirel Heinloo invites you to a tour of the Estonian National Museum (ERM) and will present a substantial Estonian book and cultural history within the rooster-shaped exhibit. Together, you will also take a brief look at the permanent exhibition.

Please Note: Registration in advance through the museum’s website https://www.erm.ee/ is required to join the curator’s tour. Participation with a “Meetings” permanent exhibition ticket or a museum card (free of charge).

Pilgrimage to the Hedgehog with David Hartley (UK)

Saturday, 10th May
13.00
Meeting point in front of Villa Margaretha Boutique Hotel (Tähe Street 11)

On the outskirts of the city stands an iron hedgehog who is not often seen. His spikes are sharp, and he lifts a lantern to hold back the dark. There he waits for his faithful disciples who come to worship in his spiny glory. Join UK storyteller David Hartley on his pilgrimage to visit the statue, taking in a few strange and hidden corners of Karlova along the way. All praise the hedgehog!