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Tartu 2024 Summer Celebration

The heart of the European Capital of Culture beats in summer rhythms. Join us to celebrate the midpoint of the cultural year!

On 3 August at 22.00, the Tartu 2024 Summer Party kicks off with the concert performance “Arts of Survival at the Crossroads”. Much-loved artists like Liisi Koikson, Nele-Liis Vaiksoo, Märt Avandi, Ott Sepp, Ollie and many others will take the stage. We will tell the story of a journey full of choices that have seen Tartu and Southern Estonia become the European Capital of Culture. The summer evening will end with a wild concert by Winny Puhh.

3 August • Concert performance 3 August • Winny Puhh Accessibility and sustainability 3 August • Pre events 3 August • Afterparties

3 August • Concert performance

Tartu 2024 brings to you one of the highlights of this summer - an exciting concert performance "Arts of Survival at the Crossroads".

Free of charge  •  22.00–23.15 • Car-Free Avenue

The “Arts of Survival at the Crossroads” concert performance features surprising combinations of beloved Estonian musicians, singers, and actors. We’ll tell the story of a journey full of choices, through which Tartu and Southern Estonia have become the European Capital of Culture.

A lineup of stars will take the stage that night: • Liisi Koikson • Nele-Liis Vaiksoo • Märt Avandi • Ott Sepp • Ollie • Heidy Tamme • Priit Volmer • Rosanna Säälik • Peeter Volkonski • Sissi • Tartu Academic Male Choir • Shat​​é Dance School • Janika Gymnastics Club • Leigarid Tartu Group • Tähtvere Dance Centre dancers

The authors of the concert performance are Tanel Jonas and Laura Võigemast, the Musical Director is Siim Aimla and Movement Director is Rauno Zubko.

The event will be live broadcast on ETV (Estonian Television).

Tartu 2024 volunteers will distribute programme flyers during the concert performance.

Director Tanel Jonas on the concert performance

Throughout the ages, the crossroads has been a place packed with meaning and power. Here, at a place where history, cultures, and traditions meet, we have survived, evolved, and been empowered, thus growing into a bearer of cultural thought with a strong vision. We will talk about how, despite complicated history, we have reached such a point where on the evening of August 3 we can all be together and see how Tartu has survived at this crossroads and grown into a place so vigorous that it is the European Capital of Culture this year.

Read the article

3 August • Winny Puhh

The summer celebration will be finished with a bang by the wildest metal-punk band of Estonia, Winny Puhh!

Free of Charge  •  23.15–00.00 • Car-Free Avenue

Winny Puhh turns 30 years old this autumn. After some intense serenades, Estonia’s wildest band wants to tear Tartu to shreds!

Be warned, there will be some who won’t like this performance, will be disturbed by it and may remain disturbed for years to come. Lots of flashing lights, noise, shouting, naked men – you will have to experience the mayhem for yourself. Only the weirdest band in Estonia, Winny Puhh, can do it.

Accessibility and sustainability

  • The concert takes place on Car-Free Avenue (on street Vabaduse Avenue which is closed to traffic). There are limited seats, so you will be required to stand during the concert. People with mobility impairments are welcome to join the concert from the accessible platform. The elevated platform is equipped with wheelchair spaces and foldable chairs. The most convenient way to reach the accessible platform is from the Tartu Market Hall side. Ramps have been installed on Car-Free Avenue to facilitate movement between the sidewalk and the roadway.
  • The concert will have Estonian sign language interpretation, with the interpreter positioned at the front of the stage, on the Emajõgi side. However, there will be no sign language interpretation at the Winny Puhh concert.
  • Restrooms, including an accessible toilet with a changing table for babies, are located at the corner of Poe Street and Vabaduse Avenue. Entry is free, with priority given to WC cardholders.
  • The nearest accessible parking spots for Car-Free Avenue are on Magistri Street and near the Tartu Market Hall. 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.

For more information about event accessibility, please contact Lee Saarsen at [email protected] or +372 5667 2037.

  • The event will last for about two hours.

  • The event takes place outdoors, so please dress appropriately for the weather. Please leave your umbrella at home.

  • The event will have loud music and light effects (including flashing lights).

  • We recommend that children wear hearing protection headphones.

  • The concert performance will be broadcast on ETV and summaries of the texts can be found on the Tartu 2024 website.

3 August • Pre events

Wondering how to spend the day prior to the evening celebration?

Here are listed all the exhibitions, activities, and events that are part of the Tartu 2024 programme and you can attend on Saturday before the Summer Celebration.

  • Summer Celebration Pre-Party: Estonian Funk Embassy

Bar Väike Kuuba •  Free •  at 17.00-22.00

The Estonian Funk Embassy is represented at the riverside bar Väike Kuuba by DJ duo Undercover Lovers, whose soft and playful beats warm up everyone for the party in the evening. First attendees can buy the Tartu 2024 mojito at a discount.

Check out the event.

 

3 August • Afterparties

What's happening in Tartu after the Summer Celebration?

  • Official Afterparty: DJ Mart Juur x DJ Sailence

Restaurant Humal •  Free • From 00.00-03.00

Starting at midnight, Mart Juur, who has polished his DJ skills at numerous legendary “Ennu Ratas” parties, will take the stage to deliver an unforgettable set that blends classic hits with cutting-edge tracks. He is followed by DJ Sailence, who ends the night with mesmerizing groovy dance hits.

Attend it here.

More in Tartu:

Bar MÜLÄ | Maailmamustrid (World Patterns)! – DJ Daysleeper ja Smaddy fill the community bar MÜLÄ with beat and rhythm across the globe. The event is ticket-free.

River bar Sulps | Latin Dance Party! – Night is filled with best salsa, bachata, kizomba, and brasilian zouiki tunes. The event is ticket-free.

Nightclub Maasikas | From Ibiza to Tartu – DJ Simon Jay keeps the dance floor heated with club anthems. The ticket is 10 euros.

Bar Kivi | midnight may live – Enjoy the midnight may live concert, and keep the night going with various DJ sets, ranging from house to trance music. The ticket is 5-8 euros.