In the run-up to the event, Viljandi Art School, together with the Estonian Folk Culture Centre and other heritage institutions, will combine heritage and street art. The works of art created in the public urban space will stay with viewers for a long time to come. During the festival weekend, a performance art show will take place in the town, while art lovers will be able to enjoy thematic exhibitions in the Kondas Centre, Viljandi Museum, the water tower and the city gallery.
The festival will kick off with an international conference on “Heritage at the Service of Sustainable Communities” (1-2 October), which will discuss how heritage knowledge can help find sustainable solutions to social, economic and ecological challenges. The conference will be followed by international masterclasses (02-03 October) for professionals and students in the field of folk culture.
The festival ends on October 4-5th, with a big heritage culture party in Viljandi, in Estonian Traditional Music Center, on the castle hills and by the lake. Everyone will have the chance to discover the jewels of Estonia’s spiritual heritage, such as the Võro smoke sauna and the art of building Estonian expanded dugout boats, and to test their skills in heritage workshops and competitions. Come and find out if you are a spinner, a blacksmith or a folk dancer! You can also listen to inspiring performances and concerts and discover the heritage of other creative cities. Both the masterclasses and the party will be linked to the Estonian Traditional Music Centre’s harvest party.
