46 choirs and beloved Estonian artists will sing to the entire country from the heart of the European Capital of Culture region, Otepää. Greatest hits from the legendary song competition “Horoskoop” will make up the repertoire.

Tartu 2024 Regional Coordinator Annela Laaneots: “Only two years are left until the European Capital of Culture title year. Therefore, we invite everyone to celebrate with us. Otepää Winter Night Song Festival is a significant event for this, because Tartu will be the European Capital of Culture with the entire Southern Estonia.”

Tartu 2024 Otepää Winter Night Song Festival artistic director and conductor Merle Soonberg comments: „Since many “Horoskoop” singers had jubilees in 2021, we chose these beautiful songs as the topic of this year’s event. I am certain that many will be happy to recognise these songs from their youth and the youngsters will be introduced to cool, slightly different sounding songs.”

Soonberg adds: “This year’s Song Festival’s tunes are slightly nostalgic – 18 beloved "Horoskoop" songs from the Estonian Music Gold Fund will be performed. At the moment, 46 choirs and 738 singers from all over Estonia are expected in Otepää.”

The event is free. Everyone is welcome to join and sing along. The Winter Night Song Festival is a traditional event, which takes place for the seventh time.

Tartu 2024 Otepää Winter Night Song Festival is organised by Otepää Kultuurikeskused. European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024, Otepää Parish, Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Valga County Development Agency and ERR support the event.

Carrying the title of European Capital of Culture is the largest interdisciplinary cooperation project between Tartu and Southern Estonian local governments and the top event of Estonia in 2024. It is the largest cultural event in Europe.

The event has been organised in accordance with all the Covid-19 rules. All artists and choir members have been vaccinated. Please enjoy the Song Festival from home in case of any symptoms.

European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 programme will be implemented by the City of Tartu together with 19 Southern Estonian municipalities: Antsla Parish, Elva Parish, Kambja Parish, Kanepi Parish, Kastre Parish, Luunja Parish, Nõo Parish, Otepää Parish, Peipsiääre Parish, Põlva Parish, Rõuge Parish, Räpina Parish, Setomaa Parish, Tartu Parish, Tõrva Parish, Valga Parish, Viljandi town, Võru town and Võru Parish.

Additional information:
Monika Otrokova, Otepää parish Communications Manager, Monika.Otrokova@otepaa.ee, +372 505 8970
Krõõt Filippov, Tartu 2024 Communications Manager, kroot.filippov@tartu2024.ee, +372 5817 4399