Tartu Took the Landmark of the European Capital of Culture to Tallinn. Mayors Signed a Cooperation Agreement

Photo: Mana Kaasik

According
to Urmas Klaas, the Mayor of Tartu, bringing the Tartu 2024 landmark to Tallinn
is a sign that Tartu, as the European Capital of Culture, must be more visible
in the Estonian capital, since cooperation between the two cities will help
achieve the goals set out by both cities. “I am glad that in cooperation with
the city of Tallinn, we can make Tartu and Southern Estonia more visible in the
strategic hubs of our country. We also cooperate on environmental issues,
because environmentally friendly values ​​are very important for the city of
Tartu. The artistic concept of the European Capital of Culture also speaks of the
Arts of Survival, which are more relevant in today’s world than ever before,” the
mayor explained.

“Tallinn and Tartu will both face a great responsibility in the coming years
when carrying the titles of European thematic capitals. If we work together, we
will be able to better meet the goals of both the Green Capital and the Capital
of Culture. Tallinn wishes to cooperate with Tartu in the development of green
urban management principles, as well as in other activities included in the
green capital programme. Of course, we will be a dignified gateway and partner
for Tartu as the European Capital of Culture, because Tallinn won the title of European
Capital of Culture in 2011 and we understand that Tallinn is the gateway to all
of Estonia and the journey of foreign visitors to Tartu mostly starts from
Tallinn,” said Mihhail Kõlvart, the Mayor of Tallinn.

 

Kuldar Leis, the CEO of Tartu 2024: “European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024
will be Estonia’s and Europe’s biggest event in two years. Tallinn as the gateway
to Estonia will be the symbolic starting point on the road to Tartu and
Southern Estonia during the title year. By 2023, the area of Tallinn near the highway
to Tartu will be prominently marked.”

According to the cooperation agreement the City of Tartu will place
European Capital of Culture landmarks in Tallinn, and the City of Tallinn will
in turn bring the landmarks of the European Green Capital to Tartu. Both cities
will share recommendations for green city management and environmentally
friendly cultural management. Tallinn and Tartu will prepare a separate action
plan for the implementation of the cooperation protocol.

The signing took place at the Baltic Station in Tallinn, in front of the
Tartu 2024 landmark. The landmark will be in Tallinn until 11 October.

 

Tallinn was the European Capital of Culture in 2011.