Prima Vista 2025 program
The Prima Vista program and schedule will be announced in April 2025.
| Time | Event | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 | “Living Library” for school children | In the “Living Library,” participants can meet so-called living books—people with fascinating life stories or unique backgrounds. | Karlova-Ropka Library of Tartu Public Library (Tehase 16) |
| 13:00 | Literature Competition “Page by Page” / “Seitenweise”; Estonian Final | As part of an international book project, young learners of German have read Juliane Pickel’s novel “Krummer Hund” and created free-form creative works based on the book (such as videos, slam poetry, plays, or comics). | Tartu Public Library (Kompanii 3/5) hall |
| 16:00 | A Walk in the Footsteps of the Baltic Germans – and perhaps also Eduard von Keyserling? | This walk takes participants back more than a hundred years to the memories of Baltic German students who studied at the University of Tartu. | Ruins of Tartu Cathedral |
| 18:00 | Cinema Theatre Tartu Elektriteater presents: “Golem: How He Came into the World” (Germany, 1920; directors: Paul Wegener, Carl Boese) | The screening will be introduced by writer Paavo Matsin. | Cinema Theatre Elektriteater (Jakobi 1) |
| 18:00 | An Evening with German Writer Klaus Modick | The conversation with the guest will be led by Professor Liina Lukas, a literary scholar from the University of Tartu. The discussion will focus on the novel “Keyserling’s Secret” (“Keyserlings Geheimnis”), which tells the story of Baltic German writer and German literary impressionist Eduard von Keyserling, whose greatest secret is connected to Tartu. | Tartu Public Library (Kompanii 3/5) hall |
| 19:00 | Literary Stroll in Tartu with Kaspar Jassa | The tour guide and writer Kaspar Jassa will lead a literary-historical tour of downtown Tartu. | Kristjan Jaak Petersoni monument |
| 19:30 | Lecture, discussion and poetry evening with Klaske Havik (Netherlands) | The lecture “Urban Literacy: Reading and Writing Architecture” will focus on questions such as how we can read and write places and how the gaze of the literary writer offers tools for architects and planners to make designs more site-specific, more empathic, and more evocative. | Conference hall of the University of Tartu Library (W. Struve 1) |
| Time | Event | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 | Children’s Programme at the Book Fair | Children’s Programme at the Book Fair | Town Hall Square |
| 11:00 | Prima Vista Book Fair | Prima Vista Book Fair at Town Hall Square. | Town Hall Square |
| 11:30 | Meeting with Tuuli Tolmov | Tuuli Tolmov has written both short stories and novels. She is a founding member of the Estonian Young Adult Literature Association. | Tammelinna Library of Tartu Public Library (Suur kaar 56) |
| 14:00 | Polish Flag Day | Carillon with a polonaise, speeches by Deputy Mayor Raimond Tamm and the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Republic of Poland, Artur Jan Orzechowski, followed by a procession to the university’s main building. | Town Hall Square |
| 15:00 | Historical-Literary Walk: “Polish Traces in Tartu” | This walk takes us back centuries in search of signs of Poland’s connections with the city of Tartu and its people. | Ruins of Tartu Cathedral |
| 16:00 | Opening of Prima Vista 2025 and the Micro Library | Opening of Prima Vista 2025 and the Micro Library near the Old Observatory. | Tartu Old Observatory (Uppsala 8) |
| 17:00 | Meeting with Latvian writer Andris Kalnozols | The guest will be in conversation with Contra. | Tartu Public Library (Kompanii 3/5) hall |
| 17:15 | Curator’s Tour of the “Estonian Book 500” Wall Installation | 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. | Estonian National Museum (Muuseumi tee 2) |
| 18:30 | Literary Tuesday: Patron’s Evening “The Map of Tartu” | A discussion on places, place-based literature, and echoes of locations with Jan Kaus and this year’s Prima Vista patron, Kai Aareleid. Musical performance by Villu Veski. | Tartu Literature House (Vanemuise 19) |
| 20:00 | Concert: “When the World Stands Still” | Songs based on the poetry of Polish poet Zbigniew Herbert and Estonian poets. | Culture Club Salong (Vanemuise 19 ground floor, entrance from the back yard) |
| Time | Event | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 | “Living Library” for schoolchildren | “Living Library” for schoolchildren at Annelinn Library. | Annelinn Library of Tartu Public Library (Kaunase pst 23) |
| 12:00 | Meeting with Marius Marcinkevičius (Lithuania) and Lina Itagaki (Lithuania) | Lithuanian writer Marius Marcinkevičius and illustrator Lina Itagaki will meet readers of all ages. The event is especially aimed at children in Years 4–5. The discussion will be moderated by Tiina Kattel. | Tartu Public Library (Kompanii 3/5) hall |
| 15:00 | Presentation of Angela Soop’s artist’s book “The Four Seasons” | Angela Soop’s (Kaili-Angela Konno) artist’s book contains material from the four-part solo exhibition series “War and Peace”. The publication includes texts by various authors and photographs of the artworks and exhibition views. | Tartu Public Library (Kompanii 3/5) |
| 15:30 | Discussion at the Micro Library: “The Physical Properties of Books” | Speakers: Eik Hermann, Ulla Väljaste, and Tõnis Tootsen. Moderated by Andrus Laansalu. | Tartu Old Observatory (Uppsala 8) |
| 16:00 | Evening with German writer Markus Thielemann | The guest will be in conversation with Hella Liira, lecturer at the University of Tartu. The discussion will focus on Thielemann’s recently translated novel “Thunder Rolls in the Northern Sky” (Eesti Raamat, translated into Estonian by Piret Pääsuke), which brings the Lüneburg Heath onto the literary map. | Tartu Public Library (Kompanii 3/5) hall |
| 17:00 | Opening of the book illustration exhibition “Ummakumma” | Writer Kaspar Jassa will discuss the creation of the vignettes for his book “Ummakumma” (2002) and read excerpts from the text. | Culture Club Salong (Vanemuise 19 ground floor, entrance from the back yard) |
| 17:00 | Presentation of Susanna Veevo’s book “My Turkey” (Petrone Print) | Why and how did the author fall in love with Turkish culture? | Apollo bookshop of Tartu Kaubamaja shopping centre (Riia 1) |
| 17:30 | Presentation of Eva Koff’s novel “Õhuskõndija” (“Air Walker”) | “Air Walker” is the story of Nora and Magdalena growing into themselves—a tale of the freedom to be oneself, of love, its transformations, and its boundlessness. | Tartu City Museum (Narva mnt 23) |
| 18:00 | Discussion: “Stories of Cultural Conflicts and Roots” – based on the “Minu…” series by Petrone Print | Epp Petrone and Annela Laaneots, who have together published five books in the “Minu…” series, will be in conversation. | Apollo bookshop of Tartu Kaubamaja shopping centre (Riia 1) |
| 18:00 | Evening with Cuban writer Leonardo Padura | The guest will be in conversation with Anneli Ramos Põder, who is of Estonian-Cuban heritage and the author of “Cuba in One Breath”. | Tartu Public Library (Kompanii 3/5) hall |
| 19:00 | Presentation of Toomas Kiho’s poetry collection “Pundinuiad” | “Toomas Kiho is truly unique in Estonia’s poetry landscape. With the mind of a mathematician, a deep commitment to Estonia’s cultural affairs, an understanding of academia like no other, a witness to many governments—yet not broken by the abundance of foolishness, but rather transforming it into words, with sorrow, intellectual depth, and an unwavering embrace of love. His poetry is rich in insight, carrying a rare ethical power. Deeply connected to Estonia.” —Kalevi Kull | Tartu Literature House (Vanemuise 19) |
| 20:00 | Cinema Theatre Tartu Elektriteater presents: “Wings of Desire” | “Wings of Desire” (West Germany, France, 1987; director: Wim Wenders, Screenplay: Wim Wenders, Peter Handke, Richard Reitinger). | Cinema Theatre Elektriteater (Jakobi 1) |
| Time | Event | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 | A Stroll Along Vanemuine Cultural Street | During the walk, Ants Siim from the City Museum and Ülo Treikelder from Tartu Public Library will share stories and read excerpts. | Monument to Jakob Hurt (Vanemuise 45b) |
| 16:00 | “Walking with Mother River” – a psycho-geographical journey and performance in motion with Andy Willoughby (UK) and Joanna Ellmann (Estonia) | 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. | Arch Bridge (Town Hall Square side) |
| 17:30 | An Evening with Finnish Author Kjell Westö | The distinguished author of Finnish-Swedish literature will be in conversation with literary scholar Esbjörn Nyström. | Tartu Public Library (Kompanii 3/5) hall |
| 18:00 | “Literature with Spark” – An Evening of Emerging Writers | Featuring readings by Helena Aadli, Mihhail Boitsov, Triinu Kree, Talvike Mändla, Heneliis Notton, and Joosep Vesselov. | Culture Club Salong (Vanemuise 19 ground floor, entrance from the back yard) |
| 19:30 | “The Most Important Street in the World” – A Spring Evening Discussion with Julia von Lucadou and Ernesto Salazar-Jiménez, moderated by Kai Aareleid | German author Julia von Lucadou hails from Heidelberg, a UNESCO City of Literature, and is currently a Goethe Institute resident in Tartu. | Tartu German Cultural Institute (Kastani 1) |
| 20:00 | TarSlämm Poetry Slam Final at Vilde & Vine, Featuring Guest Performer Yuri Miki (Japan) | The grand and electrifying finale of TarSlämm traditionally takes place during the Prima Vista festival – and the time has come! | Restaurant Vilde ja Vine (Vallikraavi 4) |
| Time | Event | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:15 | “The Living Library” for Schoolchildren | “The Living Library” for Schoolchildren at Tammelinn Library. | Tammelinna Library of Tartu Public Library (Suur kaar 56) |
| 10:20 | Meeting with Reeli Reinaus | Award-winning author Reeli Reinaus has published numerous books for children and young adults. | Ilmatsalu Basic School (Kooli tee 5, Ilmatsalu) |
| 10:35 | Puppet Show “Adventure in the Book Forest” | 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. | Tartu Public Library (Kompanii 3/5) hall |
| 11:15 | “The Living Library” for Schoolchildren | “The Living Library” for Schoolchildren at Ilmatsalu Library | Ilmatsalu Library of Tartu Public Library ( Kooli tee 5, Ilmatsalu) |
| 12:00 | Meeting with Liina Vagula | Liina Vagula is a young adult author whose books offer deep and engaging experiences, reflecting the challenges and dreams of young people. | Annelinn Library of Tartu Public Library (Kaunase pst 23) |
| 13:00 | “An Alternative Guide to Local Saints” – a walk with Quigley Cryan Brockbank (UK) | “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 | Town Hall Square |
| 15:00 | Workshop and reading with the current writer-in-residence of Tartu City of Literature, Helene Grøn (Denmark) | 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. | Fahrenheit 451° Book Room (Kastani 42) |
| 16:00 | An Evening with Kristiina Ehin: “In the Landscapes of Heart Dams” | 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. | Tartu Public Library (Kompanii 3/5) hall |
| 16:30 | “Tartu: Rewritten” – A Walk with Kristina Sadauskienė (Lithuania) | An hour-long walk through central Tartu. | The valley of Toomemägi |
| 17:00 | Circa 7 Celsius: presentation of the anthology of young Baltic writers | Circa 7 Celsius: presentation of the anthology of young Baltic writers at the Genialist’s Club courtyard. | Club Genialistid (Magasini 5) |
| 18:30 | Meeting with Latvian Author Daina Tabūna | 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. | Bookshop Biblioteek (Kastani 42) |
| 20:00 | 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. | Cinema Theatre Elektriteater (Jakobi 1) |
| 20:00 | Concert “Writers in Music” | Concert “Writers in Music” at the Culture Club Salong, Tartu Literature House | Culture Club Salong (Vanemuise 19 ground floor, entrance from the back yard) |
| Time | Event | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 | Curator’s Tour in English: “Estonian Book 500” Wall Installation | 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. | Estonian National Museum (Muuseumi tee 2) |
| 13:00 | Presentation of Mariann Rückenberg’s book “The Witch Daughter’s Legend: The Tale of Sookrat and Hendrick von Tisenhusen” (Ferielum OÜ) | This historical novel takes place in 1625 in Estonia and Livonia, following a journey from near Paide to Põltsamaa and along the Emajõgi River to Tartu. It is likely one of the first books in world literature to tell a story from the perspective of an Estonian woman in the early 17th century. | Apollo bookshop of Tartu Kaubamaja shopping centre (Riia 1) |
| 13:00 | Pilgrimage to the Hedgehog with David Hartley (UK) | 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. | In front of Villa Margaretha Boutique Hotel (Tähe 11) |
| 14:00 | “Eellülitus”: Literature x Performing Arts | A collaboration between Kanuti Gildi SAAL and the young literature magazine Värske Rõhk, this performance art literary program highlights creators who work both on stage and in writing, giving them the opportunity to present their literary work to an audience. | Tartu New Theatre (Lai 37) |
| 14:00 | The Vaba Akadeemia theatre troupe “Frogs” presents “Lysistrata” | Audiences will witness the wildest peace plan of the ancient world, conceived by women who had grown tired of waiting for their men to stop waging war. The director is Helery Pikk, and the stage text is based on Anne Lill’s translation. | Tartu Literature House (Vanemuise 19) |
| 15:00 | Tartu Literature House History Tour led by Ants Siim | We head off on a history tour of Tartu Literature House. Under the guidance of Ants Siim, you will hear the exciting stories that have taken place between the walls of Vanemuise 19. | Tartu Literature House (Vanemuise 19) |
| 15:30 | Awarding of the best in the school youth information search game “Find the place where you can get it” | Awarding of the best in the school youth information search game “Find the place where you can get it” in the Fahrenheit 451° bookstore | Fahrenheit 451° Book Room (Kastani 42) |
| 16:00 | Cinema Theatre Tartu Elektriteater presents: “Luulur” (Estonia, 2025; director: Raivo Kelomees) | Cinema Theatre Tartu Elektriteater presents: “Luulur” (Estonia, 2025; director: Raivo Kelomees) | Cinema Theatre Elektriteater (Jakobi 1) |
| 16:00 | “Life as a River” ‒ writing mythical, allegorical and symbolist poetry with Andy Willoughby | Writing realist, mythological, allegorical, and symbolist poetry out of the river map of your life in a very active creative workshop with Andy Willoughby, which is full of sketching, writing, and spontaneous performance games. Suitable for new writers, experienced writers, stage poets, page poets and just-this-one-time poets. | Culture Club Salong (Vanemuise 19 ground floor, entrance from the back yard) |
| 17:00 | University of Tartu classical philology students theatre group presents: “ΨΑΠΦΩ” | Who was the favourite poet of great ancient authors like Plato, Ovid, and Catullus? If you guessed a short, dark-haired woman from the island of Lesbos, you guessed correctly. But who is this great “Sappho”, and why has nothing great of hers survived? A deceitful amateur production, inspired by fragments of historical truth, attempts to answer these questions. | Tartu Literature House (Vanemuise 19) |
| 18:00 | Latgalian-Võro-Seto-Kadrina poetry evening | Poets Ligija Purinaša, Anita Mileika, and Raibīs from Latvia, and Kauksi Ülle, Maryliis Teinfeldt-Grins, and Andreas Kalkun from Estonia will perform. | Culture Club Salong (Vanemuise 19 ground floor, entrance from the back yard) |
| 20:30 | ŪGA x “juos īluos līluos” | A performance by a rap group from Latgale: the Latgalian rap princess ŪGA together with the girls’ group “juos īluos līluos”. | Culture Club Salong (Vanemuise 19 ground floor, entrance from the back yard) |