Practical Information for Tartu 2024 Opening Guests Programme
Programme
26th January
15:00 Doors open at Vanemuise Concert Hall
- To ensure a smooth entrance please arrive at 15:30 the latest
16:00-18:00 Reception at Vanemuise Concert Hall
- Dress code: business attire
- Address: Vanemuise 6
18:30 Joint Walk to the Public Opening Ceremony (optional)
19:00-20:00 An Outdoor Opening Ceremony by Emajõgi
- Location: by Vabaduse puiestee
20:30-21:30 Procession from Vabaduse puiestee to the Estonian National Museum (optional)
21:00-03:00 Tartu 2024 Official Afterparty in front of the Estonian National Museum (free)
- Address: Muuseumi tee 2, entrance A
21:00-02:00 ÖÖ24 at Estonian National Museum (ticket required/SOLD OUT)
*21:00-… Alternatively, the evening continues at Winebar Vint
- Address: Ülikooli 7
*On the 26th of January, we have reserved a special wine bar Vint (Ülikooli 7) just for you. This is the place to meet old and new friends, warm up and celebrate together! Access to this bar is granted by a wristband that you will receive upon registration in Vanemuise Concert Hall.
There might be minor changes in the programme.
Side-programme
Besides the programme we have curated for you, there are plenty of other events happening in Tartu to celebrate the beginning of the title year. See here for all of the events.
Registration
Registration has now closed. If anything changes in your plans, please let us know by contacting [email protected] as soon as possible.
Reaching Tartu
Tartu is located in Southern Estonia, approximately a 2.5-hour drive from Tallinn and a 4-hour drive from Riga. Tartu is well connected to Tallinn and Riga via public transport. On average, there is one bus per hour with both stops at the Tallinn Coach Station and Tallinn Airport and a few buses a day from Riga Airport and Riga Coach Station. We recommend travelling with our official partner LuxExpress – a comfortable and reliable public transport service provider. Please see the bus schedule, booking, and price lists on their webpage. Travellers from Tallinn can also take the train from Tallinn Railway Station Balti Jaam or Ülemiste (this stop is closer to the airport). Please see more here. Train tickets can be bought online one week before departure.
Public Transport and Moving in the City
Traffic and parking are limited in the city on the 26th of January.
- From January 12th to January 31st, movement around the Atlantis building and along the riverbank is restricted.
- From January 18th to January 29th, the pedestrian zone on the side of Vabaduse puiestee between the market building and Kaarsild is closed. The riverside sidewalk is closed, while the park-side sidewalk remains open.
- From January 18th to January 31st, one side of Kaarsild is closed.
- On January 26th, from 12:00 to 23:00, the section of Vabaduse puiestee from the market building to Magistri street will be closed to cars. Magistri parking lot will remain open and can be accessed from Vabaduse bridge.
- On January 26th, from 20:30 to 21:30, there will be brief (10–15 minutes) traffic stops during the procession in the section of Vene ring – Puiestee Street and the section of Puiestee Street – Muuseumi tee. Puiestee Street – Muuseumi tee section will remain open for incoming traffic into the city.
We encourage you to either walk or use public transport within the city. On the 26th of January, public transport is free for everyone in the city of Tartu.
Estonia has both Bolt and Uber. Other options in Tartu: Forus Takso (+372 612 0000), Elektritakso (+372 588 588 00). In Tallinn: Tallink Takso (+372 640 8921), Forus Takso (+372 612 0000).
Climate/Weather
Estonia lies in the northern part of the temperate climate zone and in the transition zone between maritime and continental climate. January is one of the coldest months and temperatures can vary widely depending on the week and the year. On average, the temperature falls between -10°C – -1°C. This year we have had quite a cold January. Snow and snow storms can be expected along with windy weather. Please check here for more specific predictions as the time comes. We strongly urge you to dress appropriately for the weather as our opening ceremony will be outside. Layers, hats, gloves and warm boots are a must.
Accessibility
Our goal is to ensure equal opportunities for all our participating guests.
Vanemuine Concert Hall and the Estonian National Museum are accessible to people with moving difficulties. The accessibility specification of each venue can be found below.
If you have any other access requirements that we should be aware of, please let us know and we will try our best to create equal opportunities for our guests. For additional questions, please contact [email protected] or call Karmen Juhkam at +37256353431. Please inform us as soon as possible.
The nearest accessible parking spaces for the Vanemuise Concert Hall are located next to the entrance and in the parking lot across the street (B90). More detailed information can be found on the parking areas map of Tartu city. Parking is subject to a fee on weekdays from 8:00 to 19:00, and in Zone A on Saturdays from 11:00 to 17:00. A valid blue badge for a person with a disability guarantees free parking in Tartu’s paid parking zones. Please follow the parking rules when using private parking lots. In private parking lots, it is necessary to adhere to the established rules. Be attentive when parking: there are streets near the concert hall where a 24-hour parking ban is in effect (Struve and Vanemuise streets).
The audience is expected to stand during the reception; if desired, seating is available.
Wheelchair access to the Vanemuise Concert Hall is available through the entrance on Vanemuise Street. From the parking lot to the external door, one can move along a ramp. A hall attendant awaits at the door, capable of providing assistance and guidance if needed. The cloakroom is located on the ground floor. The accessible restroom is on the first floor. It is possible to move between floors using an elevator. However, wheelchairs cannot access the balcony.
The opening ceremony of Tartu 2024 is taking place at the Town Hall Square and the banks of Emajõgi. There are limited seats, so you will be required to stand during the opening ceremony.
The accessible viewing platform for the opening ceremony will be located on the shore of Emajõgi, on the same side as the Town Hall Square, and can be accessed from the sidewalk of Vabaduse puiestee. Movement from the roadway to the sidewalk might be hindered by a high curbstone and a fence. The tribune has spots for wheelchairs and seating.
The nearest accessible toilets to the Town Hall Square are located at the Tartu Market Hall (Vabaduse puiestee 1) and on the third floor of Tartu Kaubamaja (Riia 1). The nearest toilets with a changing table are located at the Tartu Market Hall (Vabaduse puiestee 1) and on the third floor of Tartu Kaubamaja (Riia 1).
The nearest accessible parking spaces to the Town Hall Square are located behind the Town Hall and near the Tartu Market Hall (map of the parking areas).
As part of the procession from Vabaduse puiestee to the Estonian National Museum, celebrants can also ride the Släp! Sticker bus (a specially decorated Tartu city bus), starting at 20:30 from Vabaduse Puiestee and moving along with the procession towards the Estonian National Museum. On the 26th of January, between 21:00-02:00, a wheelchair-accessible city bus will run every hour between the Estonian National Museum (ERM stop) and the city centre.
More information can be found on the Estonian National Museum’s page for visitors with disabilities.
Depending on the weather, both driveways and sidewalks could be snowy and slippery. High sound levels and strobe lighting may be used.
– We recommend bringing personal assistance if needed.
– We recommend that children use hearing protection headphones.
Environmentally friendly guidelines
Environmentally friendly culture management is fundamental to us. Anyone also interested in this can familiarise themselves with it here. However, there are small things that all of us can do to try to be more mindful of our impact on the environment. Here are some easy suggestions for you!
- Please bring your reusable water bottle and drink tap water! The tap water in Estonia is potable and of high quality.For the opening celebrations, bring your cup to purchase a hot drink, if desired. There will be a Ringo reusable cup system available on-site. These cups can be returned to a designated tent or a yellow Ringo container.
- We will be sorting the waste which will be produced at the event – general waste, organic waste, packaging, and containers. Please help us in this effort by following the instructions and taking action.
- Thank you in advance if you will be coming to the event on foot, by cycling, using public transport, or carpooling with family and friends.
Other practical matters
- Estonia is generally well covered by different WiFi networks.
- Smoking is permitted only in a designated smoking room or outside.
- The currency of the Republic of Estonia is the euro.
- The emergency number is 112.
- The electricity supply in Estonia is 230 volts. Type F power sockets are in use.
- Taxi: Estonia has both Bolt and Uber. For other options in Tartu: Forus Takso (+372 612 0000), Elektritakso (+372 588 588 00). In Tallinn: Tallink Takso (+372 640 8921), Forus Takso (+372 612 0000).
- Visit Estonia
- Visit Tartu
CONTACT
Please direct all questions regarding practical matters to [email protected] or call Karmen Juhkam (International Relations Assistant) +372 5343 7911