Did you know that Tartu will be in the spotlight in 2024 as the European Capital of Culture? The year will be packed with events showcasing the historical and cultural heritage of the second-biggest city in Estonia and the rest of South Estonia. Now is the time to visit, as even National Geographic Traveller is calling Tartu one of the 30 most exciting destinations to visit in 2024!
The general concept of the Tartu 2024 cultural program, The Art of Survival, is more relevant than ever before. This idea centers around three aspects related to the influence of art on the future of Europe - an environmentally friendly culture with an emphasis on real human interactions, strong communities, and survival skills. There is a varied program of over 300 events throughout the year.
Tartu 2024 Team and Town Hall © Kiur Kaasik via visittartu.com
What Tartu 2024 activities take place during the week of our FOSS4GE conference? Let’s have a look at a few suggestions by the FOSS4GE 2024 LOC members. If you happen to have some free time during the conference or looking for reasons to prolong your stay there will be loads of options for entertainment, cultural and culinary experiences, and much more! The list is not exhaustive by all means and more can found at the Tartu2024 homepage.
Stencibility
Stencibility International Street Art Festival returns after two years of touring in Europe to bring some fresh colour to the streets of Tartu. Dozens of street artists from Estonia and abroad will come to Tartu for a spraycation to create new art works all over the city during the festival. More information on Stencibility homepage.
Tartu street art via tartu2024.ee
Genialistid
Although not part of the official Tartu2024 programme but at least some of us in the LOC spent their university years to the tunes of songs like Kati karu, Helena Wanje, Leekiv armastus, and Maapealne paradiis on rock'n'roll. After 18 years of flipping through calendars, the band managed to find a mutual date for a concert - the hiatus of Genialistid is over. On July 5, 2024 the musical group Genialistid will give one last show in order to finally call it quits. Enough.
Tickets available from fienta.com/genialistid-viimane-kontsert
Poster for Genialistid last show. Received in e-mail from and used by permission of the band.
Car-free avenue
From Saturday, 6 July, the Car-free Avenue will be opened. The section of Vabaduse puiestee in the center of the town will converted to a street-festival ground for a month. Free of cars for the fifth time it will be transformed into a pleasant oasis where you can relax, play and enjoy various events.
Bryan Adams
On Sunday, 7 July, the Rock Legend Bryan Adams is set to ignite the stage at the Tartu Song Festival Grounds during his tour “So Happy It Hurts”. It promises to be an unforgettable evening of music and entertainment. More information: HERE
Bryan Adams concert poster via tartu2024.ee