unda

The promoter of Estonian club culture, nightclub HALL, is launching a new electronic music festival in Tartu called “unda”. The event’s name draws inspiration from Estonia’s diverse marshlands and a Latin word, meaning both “wave” and “crowd”, and refers to the mythical water creature undine. Music, workshops, and an international conference will emphasise the importance of alternative gathering places, all while celebrating club culture in its various forms, viewing it as a fertile ground from which fresh ideas emerge that shape the society around us.

The overarching themes of the event taking place from September 19th to 22nd are electronic dance music and an impressive lineup of both international and local artists.

However, the goal of unda is not merely to tune into the party vibe but to delve deeper into the essence of nightlife and its societal impact. In addition to the festival, an international conference on nightlife themes will take place in Tartu, showcasing club culture in all its various forms and encouraging people to contemplate how nocturnal and diurnal (cultural) life are intertwined. While the festival’s music programme focuses on enjoying melodic diversity, the conference encourages people to think critically and critical thinking and shape one’s own future.

At the conference, writers, scientists, urbanists, activists, philosophers, artists, and experts from the music industry will discuss how to make nightlife safer and more inclusive. Club culture emerged from minority communities where music and dancing carried a spirit of protest and expressed a yearning for a better future. Similarly, unda aims to bring together people of different ages and cultures, united by a passion for electronic music, whether they be artists or music fans. As a university town, Tartu is home to young people from all over Estonia and the world. unda gives them the opportunity to engage in discussions on nightlife and to become more knowledgeable.

The rest of the side programme simultaneously looks into the past, present, and future. A nightlife-themed exhibition at the Estonian National Museum (ENM) introduces Tartu’s legendary events from the 1990s. In workshops, experienced producers share tips on music making, and an album introducing the creation of local musicians will be released. The impact of music and movement on physical and mental health will also be addressed.

The event showcases Tartu’s ability to organize alternative cultural events of international scope and enhances the city’s attractiveness in the eyes of the target audience. It also deepens collaboration between Estonian and European artists and experts in club culture, promoting the local party culture.