Spanish writer Munir Hachemi in conversation with translator and lecturer in Spanish literature Klaarika Kaldjärv
Wednesday, May 13th
18:00
Tartu Public Library
Munir Hachemi has published both prose and poetry, as well as translations from Chinese. He has been selected as one of the rising stars of Spanish-language literature. In Estonian, Hachemi’s debut novelLiving Things is available in Klaarika Kaldjärv’s translation (Toledo, 2025). It is a playful, (self-)ironic and energetic yet erudite and literarily ambitious work, in which a group of bohemian young people who have gone to do agricultural work for the summer find themselves asking, among other things, how real the food we eat is and how artificial the way we live has become.
The conversation will be held in Spanish with simultaneous interpretation into Estonian.
Faroese writer Vónbjørt Vang in conversation with Norwegian-Estonian poet Øyvind Rangøy, with poetry translations read by Maarja Pärtna
Wednesday, May 13th
18:30
Tartu City Museum
Vónbjørt Vang is a Faroese writer and librarian. Her most recent poetry collection, Black Orchid, won the Nordic Council’s Literature Prize in 2025. The collection deals primarily with a mother’s fears around her child growing up and finding their own path. The poetry collection will also be published in Estonian by Nordur (translated from Faroese by Andry Arro) and will be available for purchase at the event.
The conversation will be held in English.
The event is supported by FarLit and the Nordic Council of Ministers’ representation in Estonia, and takes place as part of the Café Norden event series.
Cinema Theatre Tartu Elektriteater presents: “Ghost In The Shell” (1995, director Mamoru Oshii)
Wednesday, May 13th
20:30
Cinema Theatre Elektriteater
Cinema Theatre Tartu Elektriteater presents: “Ghost In The Shell” (1995, director Mamoru Oshii).
Ticket: €7, see elektriteater.ee for details.
Living Library for schoolchildren at Annelinn Library
Thursday, May 14th
11:00–12:00
Annelinn Library of Tartu Public Library
In the Living Library, participants can meet so-called living books—people with fascinating life stories or unique backgrounds. The “living books” share their personal experiences, professions, or hobbies in small groups over multiple rounds. These interactions broaden perspectives and can also help with future career planning. The Living Library concept was first introduced in Estonia in 2006 as part of the Council of Europe’s All Different – All Equal campaign. The format was originally developed and piloted for the Roskilde Music Festival in Denmark in 2000 and has since spread and gained popularity worldwide.
In Estonian
Meeting with Liina Vagula
Thursday, May 14th
14:00
Karlova-Ropka Library of Tartu Public Library
Liina Vagula is a writer for young adults whose books offer deep and engaging experiences that reflect the everyday challenges and dreams of young people. She creates stories that help young readers see their own problems through the eyes of others.
In Estonian
Oskar Luts Walking Tour
Thursday, May 14th
15:00
Gathering at the Oskar Luts monument
We take a completely unnecessary stroll through spring Tartu in the company of the beloved writer Oskar Luts. We start at the Luts statue in Vabaduse Avenue, look left and right, carefully cross the street and the market square, and take a turn around Barclay Square. We then turn into Aia Street at the right moment and, after some wandering in Vanemuise Park, make our way to Riia Street and arrive at Oskar Luts’s house (Riia 38). The literary-historical walk will be led by Ants Siim from Tartu City Museum and Ülo Treikelder from Tartu Public Library.
In Estonian
Opening the Black Box: creative workshop “Constellations”
Thursday, May 14th
15:00–17:00
Aparaaditehas Culture Factory, Hall of Love
Llew Watkins and Francis Gene-Rowe will act as your star guides in this workshop about memories, objects, and their connections. The session will gradually expand from individual reflection to collective sharing and map-making, before culminating in weaving our constellations across the Hall of Love. All welcome, no prior preparation required.
In English.
See the full Opening the Black Box programme
Discussion with German writers Ursel Bäumer and Claudia Kiefer
Thursday, May 14th
16:00
Tartu Public Library
The conversation will be moderated by University of Tartu lecturer Hella Liira.
Ursel Bäumer, author of novels about artists, is from the UNESCO City of Literature Bremen and is currently the Goethe Institut’s resident in Tartu. Claudia Kiefer, who writes poetry and short prose, represents the UNESCO City of Literature Heidelberg. Alongside their work, the conversation will also explore how the festival theme ‘True and Fake’ resonates with them.
The conversation will be held in German with simultaneous interpretation into Estonian.
The event is supported by the Goethe Institut Estonia and the German Culture Institute in Tartu.
Poetry app LULLU presents: discussion “Where Does Poetry Belong?”
Thursday, May 14th
16:00
Culture Club Salong, Tartu Literature House
Why does reading poetry matter? How does poetry reach its readers? How has poetry changed over time, and in which direction is it heading? The conversation features Estonian language and literature teacher Ivika Hein, poetry editor of magazine Värske Rõhk Saara Lotta Linno, writer and poet Jüri Kolk and young poet Anastassia Kuznetsova. The discussion will be moderated by poet and LULLU poetry app team member Joonas Veelmaa.
In Estonian.
Emerging authors’ evening Literature with a Spark
Thursday, May 14th
18:00
Culture Club Salong, Tartu Literature House
Presenting their work: Mihhail Boitsov, Ekke Janisk, Triinu Kree, Riste Sofie Käär, Liisa Mudist and Mikk Tšaškin.
In Estonian.
Launch of Kristiina Oelsner’s book „Minu (Ida-)Saksamaa“ (My (East) Germany, Petrone Print)
Thursday, May 14th
18:00
Apollo Bookstore, Tartu Kaubamaja
The author will be interviewed by world citizen and author of “Minu Holland” (My Netherlands) Meelike E.-Villup. The book brings together two decades’ worth of stories from eastern Germany. These stories look at Germany more deeply than a tourist peering over their sunglasses. They are tales of real people and places, and of a girl with a hesitant smile growing into a multifaceted woman. But it is also the story of a people separated by a wall for decades, and their struggle to grow into one. Painfully and honestly.
Apollo Club members receive 10% off at the launch!
In Estonian.
Norwegian writer Ingeborg Arvola in conversation with Norwegian-Estonian translator and poet Øyvind Rangøy
Thursday, May 14th
18:00
Tartu Public Library
Ingeborg Arvola’s sweeping historical trilogy Songs from the Arctic Ocean has been published in Estonian by Eesti Raamat in Riina Hanso’s translation. The trilogy tells the story of the Kven people – a community that migrated from Finland to northern Norway – and their fate in the second half of the 19th century, across the novels Knife in the Fire (Estonian edition 2024), Vestersand (Estonian edition 2025), and Wolf Tracks, which will be published just before the festival.
The conversation will be held in Norwegian with simultaneous interpretation into Estonian.
The event is supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, NORLA (Norwegian Literature Abroad) and Eesti Raamat.
The author will also take part in an event on 13 May at 18.00 at Tallinn Südalinn Library.
Final of Tartu poetry slam competition TarSlämm at Vilde ja Vine, with guest performer Giuliano Logos (Italy)
Thursday, May 14th
20:00
Restaurant Vilde ja Vine
It has become a tradition that the thunderous and uplifting TarSlämm final takes place during the Prima Vista festival. The time has come! On 14 May, the brightest performers from four qualifying rounds will meet at Vilde ja Vine, invited to the stage with their usual energy by hosts Sirel Heinloo and Toomas Leppik. The guest performer is spoken word poet and activist Giuliano Logos, who became the first Italian to win the world poetry slam championship (Paris 2021). Finalists: Susan Kolde, Tanel Mällo, Bella Swan, Annabel Allas, Hanna Stiina Kangur, Janiš Laende, Kadri Ugur, Kaja-Riina Plumann, Anna-Liisa Leppik, Siim Anton, Jayde Will.
The guest performer’s texts will also be available in Estonian and English translation.
Opening the Black Box: All Her Beautiful Wolfmilk – film screening, reading, discussion
Thursday, May 14th
20:00
Aparaaditehas Culture Factory, Hall of Love
Animals and technology collide in unexpected and revealing ways. This event will consist of a screening of Amy Cutler’s short experimental nature film All Her Beautiful Green Remains in Tears and a reading of Charlotte Weitze’s “Ulvemælk” (Wolfmilk), followed by an artist discussion on nature, AI, art and more, facilitated by Erica Masserano.
In English.
See the full Opening the Black Box programme
Tartu Music Quiz no. 568: literature special
Thursday, May 14th
20:00
Culture Club Salong, Tartu Literature House
Tartu Music Quiz no. 568: literature special at the Culture Club Salong, Tartu Literature House.
Cinema Theatre Tartu Elektriteater presents: “Blade Runner” (1982, director Ridley Scott)
Thursday, May 14th
20:30
Cinema Theatre Elektriteater
Cinema Theatre Tartu Elektriteater presents: “Blade Runner” (1982, director Ridley Scott).
Ticket: €7, see elektriteater.ee for details.
Meeting with Polish illustrator and author Marianna Oklejak
Friday, May 15th
11:00
Tartu Public Library
The conversation will be moderated by Liisi Laineste. Marianna will present the making of the book “Cuda niewidy” and invite participants to put their own creativity to the test.
Living Library for schoolchildren at Tammelinn Library
Friday, May 15th
10:15–11:15
Tammelinn library of Tartu Public Library
10:15–11:15 and 11:40–12:40 Living Library for schoolchildren at Tammelinna Library
In the Living Library, participants can meet so-called living books—people with fascinating life stories or unique backgrounds. The “living books” share their personal experiences, professions, or hobbies in small groups over multiple rounds. These interactions broaden perspectives and can also help with future career planning. The Living Library concept was first introduced in Estonia in 2006 as part of the Council of Europe’s All Different – All Equal campaign. The format was originally developed and piloted for the Roskilde Music Festival in Denmark in 2000 and has since spread and gained popularity worldwide.
In Estonian
Living Library for schoolchildren at Tammelinn Library
Friday, May 15th
11:40–12:40
Tammelinn library of Tartu Public Library
10:15–11:15 and 11:40–12:40 Living Library for schoolchildren at Tammelinna Library
In the Living Library, participants can meet so-called living books—people with fascinating life stories or unique backgrounds. The “living books” share their personal experiences, professions, or hobbies in small groups over multiple rounds. These interactions broaden perspectives and can also help with future career planning. The Living Library concept was first introduced in Estonia in 2006 as part of the Council of Europe’s All Different – All Equal campaign. The format was originally developed and piloted for the Roskilde Music Festival in Denmark in 2000 and has since spread and gained popularity worldwide.
In Estonian
Living Library for schoolchildren at Ilmatsalu Library
Friday, May 15th
10:20–11:20
Ilmatsalu library of Tartu Public Library
In the Living Library, participants can meet so-called living books—people with fascinating life stories or unique backgrounds. The “living books” share their personal experiences, professions, or hobbies in small groups over multiple rounds. These interactions broaden perspectives and can also help with future career planning. The Living Library concept was first introduced in Estonia in 2006 as part of the Council of Europe’s All Different – All Equal campaign. The format was originally developed and piloted for the Roskilde Music Festival in Denmark in 2000 and has since spread and gained popularity worldwide.
In Estonian