Tallinn Old Town Days entitled ‘Stories and Legends’ is taking place from 12-15 August – this year, it will focus on the stories and legends of Tallinn. And Tallinn Old Town has plenty of them!
In 2020, Tallinn Old Town Days was cancelled due to COVID-19. This year, they are taking place in August instead of July. Similar to previous years, Tallinn Old Town will be filled with music, street theatre, art, tours, museum tours and many more exciting activities across four days. The organisers invite everyone to take part in the high-quality and fun programme. So much so that the vast majority of events are free.
Substantial culture programme
We will highlight some extraordinary gems from the jam-packed programme.
Tallinn Old Town Days will get off an outstanding start on Tallinn Town Hall Square on 12 August at 19:00 with a Trad. Attack! concert. This world-famous Estonian band has won listeners’ hearts by narrating stories while mixing old traditions and cultural heritage with modern rock music. One of the key events will be TALSINGI – the joint concert in which neighbouring countries Estonia and Finland will perform. Legendary Finnish punk musician Pelle Miljoona will step up on stage at the concert. Vennaskond, J.M.K.E and Villu Tamme will represent Tallinn.
Terminator and Cello Quarter C-JAM will give performances and Vaiko Eplik and Eliit will conclude the Tallinn Old Town Days programme. Of the remarkable concert venues, St Catherine’s Church and its passages, where you can listen to Anna Kaneelina, Mari Kalkun and Liisi Koikson, are definitely worth mentioning.
You can listen to classical music, famous pop songs, young performers and national legends at Tallinn Town Hall Square’s open air concerts – the heart of Tallinn Old Town offers a unique experience to all music lovers.
The Old Town museums are open until 23:00 on Saturday, 14 August. A special programme, excursions and concerts feature in the schedule of ‘Twilight Hour at the Museum’. A series of excursions ‘Open Houses’ is also taking place.
This year, a real masterpiece is Cinema Sõprus’s film programme ‘Fun must be had – filmed in Tallinn’ and Tallinn City Museum’s excursions at film sets in Tallinn Old Town. Why not travel back in time to an era where a film was produced in Tallinn or enjoy gourmet dinners at Cinema Sõprus accompanied by live music?
Foodies and bookworms alike should visit Jaan Krossi Literature Cafés on 14 August – you can walk through places related to Kross in the Old Town and listen to excerpts from Kross’ memoir, performed by well-known actors, by stopping in at the four cafés.
Legendary Kuku Klubi will provide an art and music programme on Friday evening. Many street artists will perform and showcase their art on Viru Street.
And even more…
Besides music and literature on the streets of the Old Town, you can explore exhibitions on the walls and in the towers. On Tallinn Old Town Days, strollers will be accompanied by the beloved Edgar Valter’s fairy tale characters, the COVID-19 themed memes collected by the Estonian Literary Museum, the magical world of illustrator Maari Soekov, Juhan Kohal’s photo exhibition of the life in a stone castle named ‘The Hums of Walls’ and Villu Jaanisoo’s exhibitions. You can also participate in workshops ‘Summer Memento’ in St Catherine’s Guild – masters are waiting to teach you in various fields. Let the masters inspire you!
Of course, the knights’ tournament will not be missing from Tallinn Old Town Days. The Old Tallinn Cup V will take place on 14 August at 12:00 in the area next to Niguliste Church. This medieval full-contact competition is a new and extreme sport whereby participants fight one another in real knights’ equipment. The competition is not only a sport, but also a beautiful and exciting spectacle!
We welcome all young people and families at the youth and children’s area LAHELA near Šnelli Pond. You can participate in several workshops, enjoy the stage programme and support young entrepreneurs throughout the festival. The Student Companies Festival will take place on 14 August, which offers support and recognition to all young business enthusiasts. Everyone can find something they like from Lahela!
We invite everyone to contribute their thoughts at the Brainstorming Workshop “Today’s Dream, Tomorrow’s Reality” on 13 August. The current time is ideal for dreaming – what else could there be in Tallinn Old Town? What could fill these empty streets and rooms? Which activities could bring back the life and buzz to the streets of Tallinn Old Town? What could bring people back to Tallinn Old Town? What would our dream Tallinn Old Town look like? Come and get involved – let’s collaborate on an Old Town that will please us all! The team of Tallinn Old Town Days offers the opportunity to dream, with the potential to make these dreams come true.
Moreover, a special programme at Toompea and the national cultural area welcomes all festival visitors. Guests should not limit themselves to just one area because the beauty of Tallinn Old Town can be found in its diversity, and Tallinn Old Town Days is the best way to explore it!