Event Guide

  • 2016-12-14

ESTONIA

Open till Jan. 4, 2017, Exhibition Gingerbread Mania, Design & Architecture Gallery, Tallinn
Gingerbread Mania is a gingerbread art exhibition held in the centre of Tallinn every Christmas since 2006. The magical and intoxicatingly fragrant exhibition engages every year more than 100 professional artists, designers, and architects who turn 300 kg of dough into unique gingerbread creations. Everything you see is there is made from gingerbread, using more than a little bit of magic! Nothing is what it appears to be at first glance. More information is available at www.piparkoogimaania.ee

Open till Jan. 7, Tallinn Christmas Market, Town Hall Square, Tallinn
For many years the residents and guests of Tallinn are enchanted by the annual Tallinn Christmas Market. It is a true fairy-tale land — there is a tall Christmas tree in the historic town square surrounded by little houses shining with lights that sell Christmas delicacies and folk craft products. Children will be happy to see merry-go-rounds and Santa Claus, the main stage will feature hundreds of singers and dancers performing, and amazing aromas of gingerbread and mulled wine will spread all over the square. Here you can also have a meal and various refreshments: from well-known Christmas dishes, such as sauerkraut and blood sausages, to fish and duck. Tallinn Christmas Market is recognised as one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe by many foreign media, including CNN, Elle UK, and Vogue Italia. Tallinn Christmas Market is open until Jan. 7 2017, daily from 10:00 to 19:00. For more information please visit www.christmasmarket.ee

Open till Jan. 8, 2017, Herkki-Erich Merila’s Hyperpolis, Tallinn City Gallery
Acclaimed Estonian photo artist Herkki-Erich Merila casts an inquiring eye over the architecture and people of an anonymous Chinese metropolis. The global population has more than doubled in the last 50 years. A growing number of people around the world have moved to the cities, and in China, the world’s most populous country, huge residential areas are witness to this vast increase in movement and growth. In Chongqing alone, a comparatively anonymous Chinese city, there are 30 million inhabitants and housing them has turned this settlement with a history of more than 2,000 years into a megalopolis. In Merila’s work, we see progressively fewer people and at the exhibition Hyperpolis we do not see them at all. Although we know that there are millions and millions of people in Chongqing, the photographs document an almost deserted ghost town. And the photographer, who usually stages his images carefully, is almost entirely non-intrusive behind the camera. For more info please visit www.kunstihoone.ee

Open till Jan. 15, 2017, Christmas in Tartu 2016, Town Hall Square, Tartu
Together with all the Christmas lights a very special meeting place — Forest of Swings — will come into view in the Town Hall Square of Tartu. It is set up by so-called swing-smiths, craftsmen well respected throughout centuries for creating meeting points where people love to get together, share the news, and celebrate. Christmas City Tartu 2016 truly stands by the old belief that swings and swinging facilitate the good health of people and challenges any specific timeframe forced upon this fun and much loved tradition — this Christmas, winter and swings it is! Right in Town Hall Square! Come and join the crowd in the Forest of Swings to meet up, listen to the music, and enjoy the activities and all the happy hustle and bustle the season has to offer! For the event programme and more please visit: www.joululinntartu.ee

LATVIA

Dec. 14 – Feb. 27, Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition Magical Tale in Grandfather’s Beard, Gallery Putti, Riga
Art gallery Putti presents the winter exhibition Magical Tale in Grandfather’s Beard, on display from Dec. 14, 2016 until Feb. 27, 2017. The exhibition will consist of Latvian and international contemporary jewellery artists’ works. It will be a story about different gold plated jewels — ruby, topaz, emerald, garnet, sapphire, nephrite, opal, jet, amethyst, chrysolite, onyx, and beryl — and the memories, warmth, breath, and spirit that lies within them. Learn more at www.putti.lv

Dec. 17, European Christmas, Mozart Violin Concerto and Haydn Symphony, Great Guild, Riga
The Bremen German Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by the distinguished Estonian conductor Paavo Jarvi, is often called the most outstanding chamber orchestra in the world.  It has visited Riga several times, but now the rich experience of this brilliant ensemble will be presented by the holder of its first chair in the violin section, Florian Donderer. He studied violin in Berlin and London and has held first chair in the violin section since 1999.  If he wasn’t a violinist, he would certainly own a bicycle store, because Donderer loves to ride his bike and always tries to do so when he appears at European musical festivals. Nuanced and refined musicality, the desire to always be in movement, and elegant and modern interpretations — these are the characteristics of the man who has chosen for this concert in Riga Haydn’s “Clock” symphony, which was composed in London, and the spicily eastern “Concerto for Violin and Orchestra” by Mozart, which was composed in Salzburg. The programme will also feature “Sinfonietta Riga.” To learn more about the concert and to buy tickets please visit www.latvijaskoncerti.lv

Dec. 17, Christmas Prelude, Concert by Inese Galante, Dome Cathedral, Riga
Christmas Eve is that magic time when you want to share joy and beauty with friends. Following this tradition, Inese Galante Foundation is preparing a special musical gift for listeners — the Christmas Prelude concert programme, inspired by brilliant soprano Inese Galante, featuring her long-term stage partners and friends, as well as young stars well-known in Latvia and abroad: countertenor Sergejs Jegers, one of the brightest Baroque music interpreters in Latvia; organ player Kristine Adamaite, whose concert geography include performances in Australia, the US, and Canada; pianist Andrej Osokin, laureate of the world’s most prominent piano competitions and one of the most sought-after Latvian pianists. And since one of the main principles of  the Inese Galante Foundation is to support talented young artists, some of them will appear on the stage together with well-known musicians: you will hear the winners of the Inese Galante Talents competition, as well as piano player Andrejs Feldmanis (junior), who takes part in every Summertime festival and December concert at the Dome Cathedral organised by the Foundation. The magical Christmas atmosphere will be accomplished by the boys’ choir of Jazeps Medins 1st Music School of Riga, conducted by Romans Vanags. This marvelous evening invites us to leave daily routine behind the door and open our hearts to the peace and charming sounds of music! To buy tickets please visit www.bilesuparadize.lv

Dec. 22, European Christmas, P. Tchaikovsky’s “The Seasons” in Jazz Variations, Spikeri Concert Hall, Riga
The Christmas mood, riding in a sleigh, the flourishing of nature, the harvest, birdsong, scenes from the hunt, a starry spring night, and a carnival full of surprises — those are just a few of the scenes that the Russian romanticist Peter Tchaikovsky painted in sounds in his “The Seasons.” This opus is full of diverse images and vivid contrasts, and it is well-known among all young pianists. Over the course of time, there have been various transpositions and arrangements of the opus. Andrei Pushkarev, Reinis Ozolins, and Kaspars Kurdeko are the Vibe Trio, and they are offering a new jazzy sound for this masterpiece of piano music, also taking us through changes in seasons and moods during the various seasons of the year. More info on the concert and the tickets are available at www.latvijaskoncerti.lv

Dec. 25 – 26, Riga Christmas Concert, Kipsala Hall, Riga
On Dec. 25 and 26, the International Exhibition Centre in Kipsala will host the Riga Christmas Concert Silver Skates, based on the heart-warming Christmas story by Mary Mapes Dodge. The concert will feature the beloved actors Dita Lurina and Juris Zagars, the outstanding jazz musician Daumants Kalnins, and the Latvian music legend Zorzs Siksna, who will perform popular Christmas songs by Latvian and foreign composers, and classical music masterpieces. Other participants include vocal group Framest, choir Maska, Emils Darzins’ mixed choir, and Riga orchestra conducted by Valdis Butans. You will hear popular Christmas melodies, such as “Let it Snow,” “Winter Wonderland,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “White Christmas,” and many more. The concert is organised by BT 1 Music with the support of the Riga City Council. For more information on the concert please visit www.bt1.lv

LITHUANIA

Dec. 15, Concert From Rome to Rio in One Night, St. Catherine’s Church, Vilnius
An oasis of warmth and sunshine in the middle of winter? Why not; it’s quite possible if Antonio Palmisani and his group are up on stage. The charismatic performer has combined pieces that make up his essence in this concert programme — an Italian temperament and a love for Latin American music. Having combined these ingredients, the performers will treat you to a southern musical dessert that is certainly worthy of your winter celebration feasts! The concert programme features original compositions in a Latin jazz style. Tickets can be purchased at www.bilietai.lt

Dec. 16, Symphonic Concert by Alexander Paley, Congress Hall, Vilnius
Fortepiano virtuoso Alexnder Paley, who charms audiences around the world halls with his unique charisma, fiery temperament, and exceptional technique, returns to Lithuania. “I adore Maestro G. Rinkevicius. During my career, I have played with many various conductors and orchestras; however, I have to admit that it has never been as good as with Maestro,” says the famous pianist. Beloved by the audience, which gathers to fill the halls and the Lithuanian State Symphonic orchestra, he shall perform a special programme — the best creations of the most famous American composers of the 20th century, George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein. Learn more about the concert and tickets purchase at www.lvso.lt

Dec. 27, Christmas in the Palace: Christmas Carols by Quorum, Palace of the Grand Dukes, Vilnius
Male vocal ensemble Quorum introduces a new Christmas programme, which is traditionally performed a cappella. The concert will feature both old authentic carols and new popular songs from the repertoire of famous 20th and 21st century musicians. You will hear various arrangements of the performed music — from the strict typical ancient music arrangement of voices to jazz and pop music versions with vocal percussion (beatbox) accompaniment. Vintage sound and subtle musical humor a la “The King’s Singers,” lush jazz harmony and typical gospel drive a la “Take 6,” as well as contemporary a cappella — New Age style a la “Pentatonix” — you will hear all that and much more at the concert. Not only does the ensemble perfectly combine different traditions, but it also constructs its own unique manner of performance, which is seriously snappy, strictly free, instrumentally vocal, easy, charming, and vivacious. Detailed concert information and more can be found at www.valdovurumai.lt and to purchase tickets please visit www.bilietai.lt

Dec. 28, Concert Winter is Coming by Leon Somov & Jazzu, Siemens Arena, Vilnius
At the concerts of LEON SOMOV & JAZZU, the sound enchants more than the view. First violin, in this case, is played by Leon Somov, who at the moment is actively entering the world electronic music market, and has always been known as equivalent to quality. And Juste Arlauskaite-Jazzu, who participates in various international music projects, performs the repertoire of the duet so sensitively, passionately, and so powerfully that songs penetrate the skin of every listener. The biggest hits of LEON SOMOV & JAZZU, such as “Lower than the Ground,” which may be heard even in Indonesia, the hymn of all those who live through painful love “Ka tu su manim darai?,” a tribute to a synthesiser revival “Nieko apie mus,” or a song that means a lot to the singer, “Po mano oda,” and a number of other songs shall be performed during the concerts of the tour Winter is Coming. These nights shall be the warmest winter nights. Winter is Coming is a statement, a romantic note, entrance onto a new stage, to a new clean sheet where, probably, new songs shall be born, awaited greedily by the fans and met with an ovation every time. To buy tickets please visit www.tiketa.lt

Open till Jan. 15, 2017, The Nine Day Week Exhibition by Gabriel Lester, Contemporary Art Centre, Vilnius
The Nine Day Week exhibits a selection of recent artwork alongside guest appearances, special guests, dialogue, mixes, and re-mixes created by Maria Barnas, Job Chajes, Emily Coomber, Lennart de Neef, Valentina Desideri, Antanas Gerlikas, Boyon Kang, Jonas Lund, Raimundas Malasauskas, Monadnock Architects, Elena Narbutaite, Robertas Narkus, Lisa Rosenblatt, Teatr.doc, Jennifer Tee, the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Kazys Varnelis, and Freek Wambacq. Gabriel Lester (b. Amsterdam 1972) is an inventor, film-maker, musician, and visual artist whose works have been exposed or concealed internationally over the past 20 years. He is best known for his spoken word performances, spatial installations, films, and architecture. Since 2001 he has collaborated with Raimundas Malasauskas on a number of exceptional projects, including the scenography of re-used mobile museum walls, for the shared Lithuanian and Cypriot pavilion at the 55th Venice Biennale in Italy. Full info on the exhibition can be found at www.cac.lt