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.
“The Living Library” for Schoolchildren
Friday, 9th May
10.15–11.15
Tammelinn Library
“The Living Library” for Schoolchildren at Tammelinn Library.
See also:
Monday, May 5th
12.00–13.00
Karlova-Ropka library
https://kirjandusfestival.tartu.ee/en/program/living-library-for-school-children-2/
Wednesday, 7th May
11:00–12:00
Annelinn Library
https://kirjandusfestival.tartu.ee/en/program/living-library-for-schoolchildren-2/
Friday, 9th May
11.15–12.00
Ilmatsalu Library
https://kirjandusfestival.tartu.ee/en/program/the-living-library-for-schoolchildren/
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.
See also:
Monday, May 5th
12.00–13.00
Karlova-Ropka library
https://kirjandusfestival.tartu.ee/en/program/living-library-for-school-children-2/
Wednesday, 7th May
11:00–12:00
Annelinn Library
https://kirjandusfestival.tartu.ee/en/program/living-library-for-schoolchildren-2/
Friday, 9th May
10.15–11.15
Tammelinn Library
https://kirjandusfestival.tartu.ee/en/program/the-living-library-for-schoolchildren-2/
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
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/
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.
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.
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/
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.
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!
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/
Presentation of Mariann Rückenberg’s book “The Witch Daughter’s Legend: The Tale of Sookrat and Hendrick von Tisenhusen” (Ferielum OÜ)
Saturday, 10th May
13.00
Apollo bookstore at Tartu Kaubamaja
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. One of the novel’s climactic moments is the historical event of Tartu’s siege and capture by the forces of Gustav II Adolf, marking the beginning of Swedish rule in Estonia.
“Eellülitus”: Literature x Performing Arts
Saturday, 10th May
14.00
Tartu New Theatre
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.
What happens when written words come to life on stage? How far can they go?
Performers: Sveta Grigorjeva, Liisbeth Horn, Kärt Koppel, Getriin Kotsar, Heneliis Notton, Jarmo Reha, Astra Irene Susi, and Kristel Zimmer.
The event is part of the pre-program for the Ümberlülitus festival.
Project managers: Saara Liis Jõerand, Kerly Ritval.
Awarding of the best in the school youth information search game “Find the place where you can get it”
Saturday, 10th May
15:30
Fahrenheit 451° bookstore
Awarding of the best in the school youth information search game “Find the place where you can get it” in the Fahrenheit 451° bookstore
See also: https://kirjandusfestival.tartu.ee/en/find-a-place-where-you-can-get-it/
Tartu Literature House History Tour led by Ants Siim
Saturday, 10th May
15:00
Tartu Literature House
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. We’ll find out how Theodor Luts’s 19th-century aristocratic palace became Tartu’s “Hollywood” and how the building known as the House of Literature in the 1930s became the infamous KGB “light blue house”. We also look at how the literary community reclaimed its house in the 1990s and developed it into the vibrant literary-cultural centre it is today.
N.B.: Those interested are invited to register HERE. The number of places is limited.
“Life as a River” ‒ writing mythical, allegorical and symbolist poetry with Andy Willoughby
Saturday, 10th May
16.00
Club Salong, Tartu Literature House
Life as a River
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. The work produced can later be taken over into any form or genre you like, flowing like the eternal creative river Andy conjures up with you. Andy has previously taken a version of this workshop to Bucharest and Helsinki and is very excited to be bringing it to Tartu where he first thought of it whilst on his Tartu UNESCO City of Literature residency in 2019. Please note that you can write in any language you choose in this workshop, but the instructions will be in English.
