Screening of the program “Stalking Eastern Europe” film “Inquest of Pilot Pirx”
Friday, 10th May
19:00
Cinema theatre Elektriteater
Tartu Elektriteater presents: screening of the program “Stalking Eastern Europe” film “Inquest of Pilot Pirx” (Estonia, Poland, 1978; directed by Marek Piestrak)
The introduction by Polish science fiction researcher Jędrzej Burszta will be in English. The film’s audio is in Estonian with English subtitles. Ticket price €7, see elektriteater.ee
Public recording of the radio Ööülikool program “Night Patterns” with the Writer of the Day Doris Kareva
Friday, 10th May
18:00
Estonian National Museum Theatre Hall
Note: Admission fee applies, tickets available at Piletilevi for €10 / €15.
Grand Futurological Congress: Preiļi Conceptualists (Preiļu konceptuālisti, Latvia)
Friday, 10th May
18:00
The University of Tartu Library conference hall
Opening remarks will be given by the Latvian Ambassador to Estonia, Kristīne Našeniece. During the event, the freshly published poetry anthology “Birthplace of the Alphabet. The First Selection of Conceptual Poetry of the Latvian Third Millennium” will be available for purchase, containing texts by the poets of the group of Preiļi Conceptualists. The editor and translator Contra will also be present. The event will be followed by a vin d’honneur hosted by the Embassy of Latvia.
“Bring Your Own Utopia”: Opening of Olga Povoroznyk’s (UNESCO City of Literature Lviv, Ukraine) and Eike Eplik’s installation “Safe Place”
Friday, 10th May
16:30
“When your hair is swaying from the blast wave, and you’re sitting in the hallway, waiting for it to be over, hoping for Air Defence, and staying awake the night between your friends’ funerals, your expectations of the world change forever. As well as expectations from yourself. This world was not perfect before. And so are we. A safe place is all you need to have that perfect, imperfect life. What we are trying to win back.”
“Safe Place” is a joint interdisciplinary project of Ukrainian poet and filmmaker Olha Povoroznyk and Estonian sculptor Eike Eplik. The project uses poems written by Olga in February 2024 while on a literary residency in Tartu – the city of literature. The texts are a poetic diary of a stay in Estonia.
The video, which is part of the project, was shot during the co-creation of the poet and the sculptor. Co-creation of a metaphorical space that could be considered a safe place to be.
Eike Eplik’s installation consists of two parts: “Personal space – Roe Deer Nest” and “Safe Place”. The works are strongly interconnected and deal with two possible safe places, one of them external and the other internal safe place. Which of them is more real?
“Safe Place”
“Personal Space – Roe Deer Nest”
A Roe Deer`s personal space is a hollow in the ground where it sleeps at night, hidden only by the surrounding plants. This plant wall does not protect it much from the surrounding predators, but it gives it hope to remain unnoticed, to sleep peacefully that night, staying in its safe place.
The safe place that protects us can be the constantly repeating actions and thought patterns that we use to create an airy sense of security around us every day. When these patterns are broken, the illusion of safety is shattered because, like the doe, we are never really protected from the worst.
Safety is illusory, but by finding in everyday life what we love and nurturing it every day, our safety inside grows as well. Although an illusion, it is the most genuine thing.
After the opening, the installation can be visited on Friday, May 10th, from 17:00 to 19:00, and on Saturday, May 11th, from 12:00 to 15:30, further arrangements can be made with the Tartu Public Library (phone: 5381 8933).
‘Bring Your Own utopia,’ is an interdisciplinary project organised by Prima Vista, Tartu UNESCO City of Literature, and five partner cities from the UNESCO Cities of Literature network: Lviv, Norwich, Manchester, Heidelberg, and Reykjavik.
The Project is a part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 main programme.
See also: http://kirjandusfestival.tartu.ee/en/events/tartu-2024-events/bring-your-own-utopia/
Grand Futurological Congress: Isaac Rosa (Spain)
Friday, 10th May
16:00
The University of Tartu Library conference hall
Tartu University guest lecturer Francisco Espino will converse with the author of the novel “Final Feliz” (published in Estonian by Toledo, 2023), Isaac Rosa. In his novels, Isaac Rosa has examined the past and addressed contemporary fears and human relationships, including the possibility of love in the modern world, and now he turns his creative gaze towards the future. Copies of the novel in Estonian will be available for purchase on-site. The conversation will be conducted in Spanish, with simultaneous interpretation into Estonian and English. The event is supported by the Embassy of Spain.
“Bring Your Own Utopia”: Opening of Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir’s (UNESCO City of Literature Reykjavík, Iceland) and Timo Toots’s installation “Ülekäik” (“Crossing”)
Friday, 10th May
15:00
At Narva mnt, next to the city centre side traffic light near the crossing towards Kivi Konsum
Concept: Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir, Timo Toots
Production: Timo Toots
Poem: Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir
Voices: Mari-Liis Rebane, Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir
Translator: Øyvind Rangøy
Thanks: Tambet Matiisen, Marce Garcia
“Bring Your Own Utopia”: Opening of Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir’s (UNESCO City of Literature Reykjavík, Iceland) and Timo Toots’s installation “Ülekäik” (“Crossing”) at Narva mnt, next to the city centre side traffic light near the crossing towards Kivi Konsum
See also: http://kirjandusfestival.tartu.ee/en/events/tartu-2024-events/bring-your-own-utopia/
Literary expedition in Tartu
Friday, 10th May
14:00
Meeting point at the statue of Kristjan Jaak Peterson on Toomemägi Hill
Under the guidance of the guide and writer Kaspar Jassa, a journey into literary history will take place in the city centre of Tartu. Throughout the excursion, Tartu writers will be remembered through quotes and biographical anecdotes. The meeting point is at the statue of Kristjan Jaak Peterson on Toomemägi Hill. The journey concludes at the memorial of Koidula and Jannsen.
Curatorial tour of the exhibition “Poetics of Survival”
Friday, 10th May
13:00
Lobby of Jakobi 2
Curatorial tour of the exhibition “Poetics of Survival” at the lobby of Jakobi 2
“Living Library” for school students
Friday, 10th May
11:15–12:00
Ilmatsalu Library
In the “Living Library,” you can meet so-called living books, intriguing with their fascinating life stories or backgrounds. Each living book shares their personal experiences, profession, or interests in small groups, in several sessions. Engaging with living books broadens horizons and can also help make plans for the future. The concept of “Living Library” was first introduced in Estonia in 2006 as part of the European Council’s Europe’s campaign “All Different, All Equal.” The format was developed and piloted for the Roskilde Music Festival in Denmark in 2000, and since then, it has spread widely and found increasing usage worldwide.
“Living Library” for school students
Friday, 10th May
10:00–11:00
Annelinn Library
In the “Living Library,” you can meet so-called living books, intriguing with their fascinating life stories or backgrounds. Each living book shares their personal experiences, profession, or interests in small groups, in several sessions. Engaging with living books broadens horizons and can also help make plans for the future. The concept of “Living Library” was first introduced in Estonia in 2006 as part of the European Council’s Europe’s campaign “All Different, All Equal.” The format was developed and piloted for the Roskilde Music Festival in Denmark in 2000, and since then, it has spread widely and found increasing usage worldwide.
“Bring Your Own Utopia”: a tour “Walk through the times of you, me and us” with Anne Richter (UNESCO City of Literature Heidelberg, Germany) and Argo Vals
Thursday, 9th May
20:15
Meeting point: in front of the house of Lai 30
At the end of February 2024, composer Argo Vals and writer Anne Richter met to have a walk together in Tartu districts Supilinn and Tähtvere, where they talked about their observations, experiences and wishes for the future. It was focused on their personal experiences about living in or visiting Tartu, living in the Baltics, Germany and Europe in a broader picture. This meeting was the beginning of their artistic collaboration. Now the two artists invite you to take a walk during which you can experience the results of this project. The colours of nature, houses, human characteristics and influences are captured in text and colours of sound. Present, past and future become poetic and musically interwoven. The performance will be held in German; Estonian and English translations available as booklets and also online.
Duration: ~120 minutes
See also: http://kirjandusfestival.tartu.ee/en/events/tartu-2024-events/bring-your-own-utopia/
Screenings of the program “Stalking Eastern Europe” films “In the Dust of the Stars” and “Love 2002”
Thursday, 9th May
20:00
Cinema theatre Elektriteater
Tartu Elektriteater presents: screenings of the program “Stalking Eastern Europe” films “In the Dust of the Stars” (East Germany, Romania, 1976; director Gottfried Kolditz) and “Love 2002” (East Germany, 1972; director Joachim Hellwig). The films will be introduced by Swiss science fiction researcher Simon Spiegel. Introductions will be in English, and the films will be in German with Estonian and English subtitles. The screening is supported by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Estonia. Ticket price: €7, see elektriteater.ee
Tartu poetry slam TarSlämm final at Vilde ja Vine, featuring guest performer Joelle Taylor (UK)
Thursday, 9th May
20:00
Vilde ja Vine
It has become customary for TarSlämm’s booming and exhilarating final to take place during the springtime Prima Vista. Now is the time! On May 9th, the brightest performers from the four preliminary rounds will meet at Vilde ja Vine, guided onto the stage with great enthusiasm by hosts Sirel Heinloo and Toomas Leppik. The guest performer is the exceptionally powerful award-winning poet and author of a fresh novel Joelle Taylor.
A play „Tundmatute asjade mets” (“The Forest of Unknown Things”)
Thursday, 9th May
19:00
Tartu New Theatre
Tartu New Theatre presents: „Tundmatute asjade mets” (“The Forest of Unknown Things”)
A play about entirely ordinary things and non-things. Introduction and ticket information: uusteater.ee
Concert “Parable of the Moon”
Thursday, 9th May
19:00
Tubin Hall of Heino Eller Music School
Adam Strug (Poland; vocals, accordion) will perform music composed to the texts of Czesław Miłosz. He will be accompanied by a band consisting of: Szczepan Pospieszalski (trumpet), Tomek Stawiecki (clarinet), Hipolit Woźniak (double bass), and Mateusz Kowalski (drums). This Prima Vista concert will feature Adam Strug’s original compositions dedicated to the distinguished creator and Nobel laureate Czesław Miłosz on the 20th anniversary of his death. The concert will last one hour. The event is organized by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute and marks Europe Day. The project is funded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland. Partners: Embassy of the Republic of Poland, Representation of the European Commission in Estonia, European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024, University of Tartu’s Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies.
Grand Futurological Congress: Josh Sawyer (USA)
Thursday, 9th May
18:00
The University of Tartu Library conference hall
The lead designer at game studio Obsidian Entertainment, renowned for games such as “Icewind Dale,” “Neverwinter Nights 2,” “Fallout: New Vegas,” “Pillars of Eternity,” and “Pentiment,” will give a presentation about the future through the lens of his personal experiences and creations. Following this, a discussion with game writer Märten Rattasepp (Estonia) and game researcher Paweł Frelik (Poland) will delve into the literary aspects of video games and the future of literary imagination in video games. The presentation and discussion will be in English with simultaneous interpretation into Estonian.
Discussion “Literature in a More-Than-Human World” led by the Writer of the Day Maarja Pärtna
Thursday, 9th May
17:30
Tartu Literature House
Participating in the discussion will be Penny Boxall (UK) and David Hartley (UK), who have been in residence in Tartu, along with the current guest of the Tartu City of Literature residency program, Christiane Vadnais (Canada). The discussion will be in English.
Joint presentation-discussion of Epp Petrone’s dystopian fairy tale „Linnutee koodid“ (“Codes of the Milky Way”) and Triinu Meres and Kristo Janson’s post-apocalyptic novel “Devolutsioon” (“Devolution”)
Thursday, 9th May
17:00
Tartu Kaubamaja Apollo bookstore
Joint presentation-discussion of Epp Petrone’s dystopian fairy tale „Linnutee koodid“ (“Codes of the Milky Way”) and Triinu Meres and Kristo Janson’s post-apocalyptic novel “Devolutsioon” (“Devolution”)
Grand Futurological Congress: Lesley-Ann Brown (Trinidad-USA-Denmark)
Thursday, 9th May
16:00
The University of Tartu Library conference hall
Brown critically observes American and European gender and race stereotypes, imperialist dogmas and also the attitudes related to the poor and the immigrants in seemingly progressive Denmark. As a teacher, she is also critical of the educational system. In her writings, she charts the ways towards a more caring and ecologically minded future society. Carolina Pihelgas will be in conversation with Lesley-Ann Brown. The discussion will be in English with simultaneous interpretation into Estonian.
Opening of the Exhibition “Poetics of Survival,” presentation of artworks, and a discussion
Thursday, 9th May
15:00
The University of Tartu Jakobi 2 building, room 114
As part of the “Poetics of Survival” project, seminars and workshops were held in 2022 and 2023 with the aim of trying to understand endangered animal species through their own eyes. As a result of these seminars and workshops, poetry, short prose, paintings, installations, and digital art pieces were created, addressing themes of extinction, survival, and protection in various ways. The visual art can be explored at the exhibition, and texts will be read during the opening. The discussion will be in English.
See also: http://kirjandusfestival.tartu.ee/en/events/tartu-2024-events/the-poetics-of-survival