ARTISTS ANNOUNCED: Tartu 2024 celebrates the 30th anniversary of Estonia’s participation in Eurovision with a joint kiss and a spectacular concert performance by Euro singers
On May 18, the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Estonia's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest with a spectacular concert performance "Kissing Tartu", culminating in a joint kiss on the Tartu Town Hall square. 20 Euro singers, who are passionately loved by Estonians, will perform, including Conchita Wurst, the winner of the 2014 song contest. The big event will take place exactly one week after the Eurovision winner was announced in Malmö. The organizears expect thousands of kissers for the joint kiss.
According to the director of the concert performance, Ain Mäeotsa, the European capital of culture will witness a completely special event, which could pleasantly shake the image of the modest and cool Estonian.
The free concert performance features well-known Estonian and European Euro songs that tell the story of Tartu, Estonia and Europe. The audience is delighted by Conchita Wurst, Victor Crohne, Liisi Koikson, Lenna Kuurmaa, Koit Toome, Hanna-Liina Võsa, Jaanika Sillamaa, Ivo Linna, Maarja-Liis Ilus, Ott Lepland, Laura Põldvere, Elina Netšajeva, Birgit Sarrap, Getter Jaani, Elina Born, Robin Juhkental, Alika Milova, Uku Suviste, Juhan Uppin and Stig Rästa.
According to Kati Torpi, the creative director of the european capital of culture, everyone is welcome to kiss: “A joint kiss can be a romantic kiss, a cheek kiss for a friend, a hug or a parent’s kiss for a child. The Estonians’ joint moment of tenderness is dedicated to sexual awareness, which is one of the themes of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024.”
According to Torp, Conchita’s participation is significant in many ways. “The LGBT+ issue is important for Estonia. We want everyone to be able to attend the event as their true self. Every person has the right to live and love. The singer comes from Upper Austria, whose city Bad-Ischl holds the title of European Capital of Culture this year together with Tartu,” said Kati Torp, creative director of the capital of culture.
During the concert there will also be screened a five-part humorous “mini-series”, in which two young scientists solve the mystery of the kissing pandemic that hit Tartu, played by actors Maarja Johanna Mägi and Kaarel Pogga.
The purpose of the “Kissing Tartu” concert performance is to raise awareness of sexual health in society under the auspices of the capital of culture. It is one part of a larger project dedicated to sexual education, the main event of which is the sexual education conference “First Kiss”.
The organizers call for valuing openness, humanity and respect. This is regardless of nationality, race, age, gender, and worldview. The concert performance starts on May 18 at 9:30 p.m. on Tartu Town Hall square and is free.
Director: Ain Mäeots
Musical director of the concert: Siim Aimla
Choreographer: Alice Alexandridi