Translator Tiina Kattel speaks about Ignė Zarambaitė’s novel “Süngete vete vaimud”
Wednesday, 8th May
13:00
Tartu Public Library hall
Translator Tiina Kattel is speaking about Ignė Zarambaitė’s novel “Süngete vete vaimud”, about the translation process and Lithuania Minor region. It will be possible to purchase the Estonian translation of Ignė Zarambaitė’s novel “”Spirits of Dark Waters” (published by Eesti Raamat) on-site.
Meeting with Ene Sepp
Wednesday, 8th May
10:30–11:15
Annelinn Library
Ene Sepp has published 13 books, the latest being the young adult book “The Formula of Estonianhood”, released at the beginning of 2024. Ene Sepp is a founding member of the Estonian Youth Literature Association.
Meeting with Mairi Laurik
Wednesday, 8th May
10:10–10:55
Tammelinn Library
Mairi Laurik is an Estonian science fiction writer and promoter of science fiction literature.
Presentation of Kristina Viin’s poetry collection and Toomas Kiho’s poetry program
Tuesday, 7th May
21:00
Vein ja Vine
Kristina Viin will be presenting her book “Unetamisi” (Tuum, 2024) and Toomas Kiho will be contributing with his poetry programme “Inisemisi”.
Literature With Spark: an evening of young authors
Tuesday, 7th May
19:30
Cultural club Salong
Presenting their work: Elisabeth Heinsalu, Riste Lehari, Mirjam Parve, Merike Reiljan, Reijo Roos, and Mikk Tšaškin.
A dance performance: „Ma jään kaevu / juurde igavesti jooma“ (“I Will Stay at the Well / Drinking Forever”)
Tuesday, 7th May
19:00
Tartu New Theatre
Tartu New Theatre presents: „Ma jään kaevu / juurde igavesti jooma“ (“I Will Stay at the Well / Drinking Forever”)
A dance performance based on the poetry of Ene Mihkelson. Introduction and ticket information: https://www.uusteater.ee/lavastused/maret-joosep-ene
The dance performance ““I Will Stay at the Well / Drinking Forever” is based on Mihkelson’s poetry collections from 1978-2010 and aims to spatially recreate the lyrical tone of the poems, where the experience of the sole reader becomes more important than the story.
“If I bump against the air, then finally I can pass through it” writes Mihkelson herself. This is the poetry of inevitability, the expression of which is also inevitable.
We express endless movement, discontinuity and the search for continuity, dead ends and memory traces that merge into each other.
We give up words to experience poetry.
“The performance is English-friendly, there is no spoken text.”
Grand Futurological Congress: Lydia Sandgren (Sweden)
Tuesday, 7th May
19:00
The University of Tartu Library conference hall
Author of the novel “Collected Works” (published in Estonian by Eesti Raamat, 2022) in conversation with literary scholar Esbjörn Nyström (Sweden). Describing the lives of intellectuals in the literature and art field, the family saga shrouded in a mysterious disappearance story inspires us to ask the author: what is the role of literature and art, education and reading in the future? The novel “Collected Works” will be available for purchase on-site. The conversation will be held in Swedish with simultaneous interpretation into Estonian and English. The event is supported by the Embassy of Sweden.
Screening of the program “Stalking Eastern Europe” film “Ikarie XB 1”
Tuesday, 7th May
18:00
Cinema theatre Elektriteater
Tartu Elektriteater presents: screening of the program “Stalking Eastern Europe” film “Ikarie XB 1” (Czechoslovakia, 1963; director Jindřich Polák)
Following the film, there will be a presentation and discussion with space psychologist Andres Käosaar, who will join us through cosmic radiation via the internet. The film is in Czech, with subtitles in Estonian and English; the presentation and discussion will be in Estonian. Tickets €7, see elektriteater.ee
Opening of the exhibition “Between the Lines” introducing Swedish literature
Tuesday, 7th May
17:45
Large hall of the University of Tartu library on the second floor
Representatives of various fields of Swedish literature, including festival guest Lydia Sandgren, share thoughts related to the role of literature and its artistic uniqueness at the exhibition. The exhibition was curated by the Swedish Institute.
Street Theatre Migro (Poland) performance “Echoes”
Tuesday, 7th May
17:00
Town Hall Square in front of the fountain
The performance tells the story of Poland’s eastern borderlands – war, migration, resettlement, things that until recently seemed to be the past. The theatre presents a wordless performance structured around gesture, dance, and mime. The narrative is accompanied by music – instrumental pieces and songs performed by the actors.
Director, screenplay, and music selection: Monika Kozłowska
Choreography: Natalia Iwaniec
Production and costumes: Joanna Jaśko-Sroka
Performers: Justyna Orzechowska, Magdalena Pamuła, Anastazja Kowalska, Kacper Lech, Michał Orzyłowski, Adam Plewiński
See the trailer: https://www.teatrmigro.pl/en/spektakle-echa-en
This project is co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland from the Culture Promotion Fund and supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland.
Grand Futurological Congress: Emmi Itäranta (Finland)
Tuesday, 7th May
17:00
The University of Tartu Library conference hall
The author of lyrical dystopias with strong ecological undertones, whose debut novel “Memory of Water” (2014) was adapted into a film in 2022, questions in her presentation whether science fiction can envision the future. Following the presentation, Itäranta will engage in a conversation with literary critic Saara Liis Jõerand.
“Bring Your Own Utopia”: presentation of the installation „”Siin oli soo. Once was mire” by Penny Boxall (UNESCO City of Literature Norwich, UK), Maarja Pärtna and Liis Ring
Tuesday, 7th May
16:00
TYPA letterpress and paper art centre
Installation „Once was mire. Siin oli soo” has utopian ideas about wetlands at its heart. Through bilingual poetry, electronic soundscape and song, the installation considers episodes from the environmental history of mires and rediscovers them in future folktales.
The installation will be up until the 12th of May. Entry is free.
The production was supported by the Estonian Authors Union.
See also: http://kirjandusfestival.tartu.ee/en/events/tartu-2024-events/bring-your-own-utopia
Presentation of Olga Tokarczuk and Joanna Concejo’s book “Lost Soul”
Tuesday, 7th May
15:40
Prima Vista Book Fair at Town Hall Square
The book is presented by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland and the Estonian National Museum. The Estonian edition, brought to readers under the auspices of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute and ENM, is dedicated to Tartu as a UNESCO City of Literature and the European Capital of Culture 2024.
Celebration of Polish Flag Day at Prima Vista Book Fair
Tuesday, 7th May
15:00
Prima Vista Book Fair at Town Hall Square
Polonaise with carillon, speeches by Deputy Mayor Raimond Tamm and Acting Chargè d’affaires of the Republic of Poland Anna Pełka, procession to the main building of the university. Placing flowers at the memorial plaque of King Batory.
Meeting with Joel Jans
Tuesday, 7th May
14:00
Karlova-Ropka Library
Joel Jans is an Estonian science fiction writer who is a member of the Estonian Science Fiction Association, the founder of the science fiction magazine Reaktor, and its longtime editor-in-chief.
Historical-literary tour “Traces of Poland in Tartu”
Tuesday, 7th May
13:00
Meeting at Toomemägi by the ruins of the cathedral
On this journey, we’ll seek signs of Poland’s relations with the city and people of Tartu over several centuries. The walk will pass through the city centre to the botanic garden (1.7 km) from Toomemägi. The tour will be led by Ülo Treikelder from Tartu Public Library and Ants Siim from Tartu City Museum. The walk is dedicated to the 440th anniversary of King Stefan Batory granting privileges to Tartu, including the assignment of the Polish flag. From 1582 to 1625, Tartu was the capital of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth’s Tartu (Dorpat) Voivodeship, to which King Stefan Batory granted special privileges in 1583 and the colours of the Tartu flag in 1584. The event is supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland.
Visiting the Writer of the Day Berit Petolai at Meoma: poetry, accordion music, village swing, and spring bonfire
Tuesday, 7th May
12:00–14:00
Meoma tavern
At the crossroads of four roads in Meoma village, in an old barn, there is a small tavern where Berit’s poetry will be recited, much of which has been inspired and created while wandering the paths of this same village. You can also listen to the spring singing, the trumpeting of cranes, and the buzzing of the Jew’s harp. Additionally, there’s a village swing and a spring bonfire on Meoma’s swing hill. You can purchase some snacks and beverages on-site, so bring cash along. Transportation to Meoma and back is available by festival bus; those interested in taking the bus are requested to register by May 6th here: https://forms.gle/8ne1dsag5kG3dy7Z7
Seats are limited! Public transportation is also available to Meoma, with an average travel time of 45 minutes, and the Meoma tavern is about 2 km from the bus stop.
Prima Vista Book Fair
Tuesday, 7th May
11:00–19:00
Town Hall Square
Special programs from Poland, children’s programs, book presentations, and dances. Read more!
“Living Library” for schoolchildren
Tuesday, 7th May
10:15–11:15
Tammelinn 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.
Opening of the Poetry Exhibition “Window Towards Toomemägi”
Monday, May 6th
21:00
Professor’s Alley
Inspired by Toomemägi, many poems have been written in various languages, a selection of which is presented at the exhibition (curated by Mart Velsker). The opening will feature a poetry evening and picnic in the lantern light, both on the “slow death” alley and under the ruins of the cathedral.