THROUGH THE CITY: Valga+Valka

Discover the twin cities on the border of Estonia-Latvia! Only six theatre performances in Valga+Valka. The theatrical play in the city will take place on foot and by riding the bus. The audience will be led through town squares and the song festival grounds, on the streets and in theatres, through public halls and secret back alleys. From Valga to Valka and Valka to Valga.

🕖 Show starts at 19:00-21:00
🗓️ 4th-6th of October and 10th-12th of October 2024, at 19:00-21:00.
📍 The Estonian-spoken route starts from Valga (Julius Kuperjanovi 65, Valga, Estonia). Latvian-spoken route starts from Valka side of the city (Rīgas iela 64, Valka, Latvia).

After four years in Tartu, the cityscape performance of LÄBI LINNA has reached the twin cities of Valga+Valka. The performance journey will be led by professional actors, with the participation of nearly a hundred locals. What connects Estonia and Latvia? Apart from the River Pedel, the former Livonian lands and the tradition of Midsummer’s Eve. Or that Estonian Kalevipoeg fought in the Latvian epos “Lāčplēsis”. How come Estonian and Latvian cultures share so much in common, while language has remained a complete mystery? Are Valga and Valka places where one can only speak in body language? A bilingual travelling show in the twin cities is a collaboration project between Estonia and Latvia. Led by Jaanika Tammaru, from Estonia (LÄBI LINNA) and Edgars Niklasons, from Latvia (Fonds Initium).

PEOPLE BEHIND IT
Valga+Valka edition is directed by Jaanika Tammaru (Estonia) and dramaturg Edgars Niklasons (Latvia). The art director is Inga Vares. The lighting designer is Karolin Tamm and the composer is Vija Moore (Latvia-Australia). Ingūna Johansone mediated the Valka stories and Merili Viks was the mediator of Valga stories. Valga+Valka travelling performance is produced by Ieva Niedre (Latvia).
Professional actors playing on the streets of Valga+Valka: Agur Seim, Mariann Tammaru, Elīna Bojarkina, Artūrs Putniņš, Anastasija Džordževiča.
Many dozens of locals join along, too! Musicians and dancers from Valka House of Culture: the men’s ensemble “Lai skan” led by Inese Niklaviča’s and Latvian folk ensemble “Nāburgi” under the direction of Mārīte Magone, from the dance studio “Joy” by Marina Jerjomina and the choir RÕÕM conducted by Lenel Rand.
Some of the people behind the production: are Grete Podnieks, Lissa-Anna Lender, Ilga Valodze-Abele, Henry Griin, Martin Sookael, Evelina Nõmme and many others. Thanks for all the support: Valga Cultural Centre, Valka Cultural Centre, Siiri Põldsaar, Hardo Adamson, MTÜ Rockiklubi and Ivo Mannine, Monika Rogenbaum, Valga Municipality, Valga Sauna, Valga Sports Hall, Valka Local Museum, Valga Extreme Sports Hall.
Valga+Valka theatre production is a collaboration between Estonian LÄBI LINNA and the Latvian non-profit organisation Fonds INITIUM, made with the support of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and partly financed by Creative Europe. We are part of the Baltic Applied Theatre School (BATS) network.

THROUGH THE CITY is a part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 main programme, supported by the South-Estonia Community Programme and LEADER Action Groups. Tartu 2024 is supported by A. Le Coq, Delfi Media, Topauto and Lux Express.