Today the 41st Tallinn Old Town Days begin, featuring over 300 events throughout the weekend. The festival will kick off with an opening ceremony at 7 pm on the main stage near Niguliste Church. The Mayor of Tallinn will deliver a welcoming speech, followed by a concert by soul singer Rita Ray with sign language interpretation. The day will conclude with a concert by the TTÜ Wind Orchestra on the main stage, titled “Stepping into Summer with Samba Rhythm.”
This year’s Old Town Days theme is “Fresh View,” focusing on sustainable urban space, environmental friendliness, and community culture. The program was developed in close collaboration with cultural institutions and the Old Town Society, which brings together residents of the area. Monika Haukanõmm, the Senior District Elder of Tallinn City Centre, emphasizes the importance of valuing the historical cultural heritage of the Old Town. She states that the Old Town is not just a historical urban space but a continuous human experience. The Old Town Days tradition unfolds this continuity in an exciting and diverse form for everyone to enjoy. Haukanõmm adds, “The Old Town Days carry a theme every year, and this year it is ‘Fresh View.’ While we must preserve the cultural heritage listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the world is changing, and the Old Town should also be a meeting place for innovative and progressive ideas. Hopefully, many residents and visitors will come to the Old Town over the weekend to reflect on these topics together.”
The Old Town Days program, running until Sunday evening, includes over 300 events, including a diverse concert program featuring artists such as Regatt, Sissi, Jarek Kasar and Jaan Pehk, Duo Ruut, Mari Jürjens, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Littorina Saxophone Quartet, TTÜ Wind Orchestra, Estonian Voices, Vaiko Eplik & Eliit, and more. Additionally, there will be numerous guided tours and walks in the Old Town’s parks and museums, and activities for the whole family can be found at the Folk Village and the children and youth area Lahela.
Selected events on June 2nd:
12:30 – French petanque picnic at Tornide Square
13:00 – Children’s area program begins in Toompark
17:00 – Opening a temporary park at Town Hall Square.
17:00 – Concert by Mari Jürjens in the courtyard of Stenbock House
18:00 – Opening of the 35th International Folk Festival Baltica at Tornide Square
19:00 – Opening ceremony of the 41st Tallinn Old Town Days on the main stage near Niguliste Church. Following the opening speeches, there will be a concert by soul singer Rita Ray.
21:30 – TTÜ Wind Orchestra continues on the main stage with their program “Stepping into Summer with Samba Rhythm.”
Concerts will also take place at the UNESCO Music City Tallinn stage in Piiskopi Garden and other locations throughout the Old Town. Throughout the day, visitors can participate in diverse museum programs, join guided tours, enjoy the Folk Village and the children and youth area Lahela, and explore crafts at the market on Freedom Square.
The 41st Tallinn Old Town Days, organized by the Tallinn City Centre Government, will occur from June 2nd to June 4th, 2023. For more information, please visit vanalinnapaevad.ee.
