Event Guide

ESTONIA

November 05-11, Viimsi Happy Jazz Festival, various venues in Viimsi

Viimsi Happy Jazz Festival takes place in various concert halls of the Viimsi center. At the festival, the guest performers from all over the world will be presented alongside the highlights of Estonian jazz. Everyone will find something interesting and engaging from the program. The concert days of the festival always end with great jamming. For full festival information please go to the official web page www.happyjazz.ee

November 08-12, 8th Jazz Music Festival “IDeeJaz”, various locations in Tartu and Narva

8th Tartu Jazz and Rhythm Music Festival “IDeeJazz” will take place on November 8th – 12th 2018 in two cities of Estonia: Tartu (08/11-11/11) and Narva (09/11–12/11). Tartu Jazz and Rhythm Music Festival “IDeeJazz” brings to Tartu Estonian music that is packed with creative power. Keywords like good sound, improvisation and idea connect the best thoughts of the Estonian jazz elite and the bold projects of the young musicians’ generation, filled with positive energy. The festival draws no clear genre borders – providing very diverse music from mainstream and chamber jazz, ethno and world music to groove rhythms and fusion. Top artists of the world from nine different countries are going to fill prime stages in Tartu and Narva with charisma and artistic expression. For five days in the middle of the November darkness, the festival will bring out the sun! IDeeJazz – good vibes with any kind of weather! The festival’s full info is available at https://2018.ideejazz.ee , you can also email [email protected] or call (+372) 509 4902 to learn more.

November 09-10, Festival “Crazy Tartu”, Literature House, Tartu

Festival Tartu is an international interdisciplinary festival where writers, poets, musicians and artists from Estonia and abroad come to perform. One of the main principles of the festival is to bring as many unprecedented performances to the audience as possible. This principle is also followed when choosing the venue for the event. Each year, a piece of art is unveiled for the first time in the new environment. The packed and lively program investigates Estonian contemporary culture and creates borderline-exploring experiences in a borderline-exploring autumnal Tartu. The UNESCO City of Literature Tartu will “lose it” for the ninth time in a row, inviting writers, musicians and artists from Estonia and elsewhere in the world. The theme of the festival this year is ‘Jubilant’ and it will be held at the Tartu Literature House (19 Vanemuise, Tartu). For additional information please visit www.tartu.kirjandus.ee/eng/festivals , email [email protected]  or call (+372) 742 7079.

November 16 – December 02, Black Nights Film Festival, various venues in Tallinn and Tartu

Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) is an international film festival that will take place for the 22nd  time. PÖFF is the only A-category film festival in Northern Europe, sharing that status with the world's leading festivals including those at Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Karlovy Vary, Warsaw, and San Sebastian. With over 600 films, over 1200 attending film professionals and journalists and an attendance of more than 80,000 PÖFF is the largest annual cultural event in Estonia. The 22nd edition of PÖFF takes place from the 16 November until 2 December in Tartu and Tallinn. PÖFF offers its Tartu audience an outstandingly diverse and exciting film program each year. In addition, many events take place outside the cinema halls during the festival. To learn more about the festival please visit the official page www.poff.ee

Open till November 25, Evita Vasiljeva’s Solo Exhibition “Still Stands and Resilient Nows” City Gallery, Tallinn

Evita Vasiljeva’s first solo exhibition titled “Still Stands and Resilient Nows” and organized by Tallinn Art Hall is open at Tallinn City Gallery. It speaks of continuous movement, uncertainty, and possibilities. Evita Vasiljeva’s work first strikes us with its weight – cast concrete forms with various lengths of steel armature jutting out of it are a testimony to hard physical labor. This physicality of the work effortlessly connects her practice with the long tradition of sculpture. It is unclear whether the objects are still coming to be or are already in a state of decay, which leaves us hovering somewhere between different times. “Still Stands and Resilient Nows” also features new ceramic work created during Vasiljeva’s residence at the European Ceramic Work Center (EKWC) in the Netherlands. ‘“Still Stands” are intricate and abstract mental constructions. The clay is cracked by steel rods, which penetrate and characterize the structures. The great heat of the making is laid open to view. “Still Stands” are the emblems of timeless duality. The intangible is intertwined with the sculpture,’ Vasiljeva describes the works that lend her exhibition part of its title. For more information please go to www.kunstihoone.ee

LATVIA

November 05-11, Sigulda Restaurant Week, various restaurants in Sigulda

As part of the Sigulda Restaurant Week, guests are invited to enjoy three-course meals from a selection of restaurants in Sigulda and the surrounding area. Each restaurant will offer meal sets for two prices – 15 and 20 euros. In addition to the meal, matching beverages will be available for 12 euros. The organizers of the Sigulda Restaurant Week kindly recommend those who wish to enjoy their meal at one of the participating restaurants to book a table in advance. Precise information can be found at www.tourism.sigulda.lv starting November 01.

November 09, Concert “Beethoven’s 8th Symphony and Stravinsky’s Dances” by Sinfonietta Riga, Great Guild, Riga

Tonal versatility, orchestral artistry and astute creativity were the trump cards of Igor Stravinsky that are now in the hands of Swedish composer Rolf Martinsson. In his Concert Fantastique for clarinet and orchestra all of that will be revealed by the young, multi-talented British conductor Jonathan Bermann and one of the most proficient Latvian clarinet masters Martins Circenis. In his Danses Concertantes, Igor Stravinsky has mixed clumsy marches and surprising acrobatic variations. Martinsson’s masterful tour-de-force for the clarinet and the colorful inventiveness of Stravinsky’s dances go well together with Beethoven’s passionate, irresistibly vivacious Symphony No. 8. For full information on the concert and to buy tickets please go to www.latvijaskoncerti.lv or www.bilesuparadize.lv

Open till November 10, Agate Apkalne’s Exhibition “Sorrow of the Soul”, MuseumLV, Riga

In her latest paintings Agate Apkalne continues to take visitors along with her into the depths of her personality where storm is followed by peace and tranquility, melancholy by harmony, eternal pursuit by moments of insight. The artist’s hyper-realistically refined and psychologically embracing style seems to remain unchanged, but “Sorrow of the Soul” features monochrome highlights and the stories are told by even stronger and laconic symbols which are here in the world – motifs in the sky, waters and among friends. The entrance to the exhibition is free.

November 13, Opening Concert of 18th International Bach Chamber Music Festival, Small Guild, Riga

The European Union Baroque Orchestra (EUBO) gathers musicians from throughout the EU with the aim of gaining musical experience and inspiration under the guidance of some of the world’s greatest musical specialists. In 2018, under the guidance of Music Director Lars Ulrik Mortensen and guest directors Bojan Cicic and Amandine Beyer, EUBO will perform throughout the EU, including the Bach Festival in Riga. The internationally renowned baroque violinist Amandine Beyer has established herself as a leading interpreter of baroque violin repertoire. After winning several prestigious awards and having attracted huge critical acclaim internationally, Amandine regularly performs at many of the world’s most prestigious concert halls and baroque festivals. The concert’s program and tickets are available at www.bilesuparadize.lv

November 16-28, Imprint, Jewelry Exhibition by Valdis Broze, Putti Art Gallery, Riga

While creating this jewelry collection, Valdis Broze pays special attention to the materials found in Latvia and the historical footprints left on the country’s soil, which directly or indirectly influenced the people living in this area. Latvian contemporary jewelry artist Valdis Broze works with gold, silver, various gemstones and semi-precious stones. The artist’s power is to work with enamel; he plays with the intensity of colors, combining it in striking combinations. Surrealism is a striking feature in his works. The works displayed in the gallery can also be purchased. The entrance to the exhibition is free. More information is available at www.putti.lv

LITHUANIA

November 05-11, Vilnius Gastronomy Week, various venues throughout Lithuania

Over the past five years, Vilnius Gastronomy Week has become a long-awaited and well-known cultural gastronomic phenomenon, so the organizers, having appreciated the event’s popularity, decided to expand it and go to other cities. Visitors are offered not only the best restaurants of Vilnius, but also the opportunity to find new gastronomic places in Kaunas, at the seaside and in other Lithuanian cities. November is called the month of restaurants and gastronomic discoveries in Lithuania, and the Vilnius Gastronomy Week now changes its name to Lithuanian Gastronomy Week. All information regarding the venues and more is available at www.facebook.com/gastrosavaite

November 08-11, International Literary Festival Vilnius Pages 2018, various venues in Vilnius

Founded in 2016, Vilnius Pages is an international literary festival held in the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius. It celebrates acclaimed and popular Lithuanian and international authors. Vilnius Pages favors spontaneous author reader dialogue through meetings, discussions, debates, live public author readings, musical and poetic improvisations, concerts, exhibitions, performances and literature based film screenings. The Lithuanian National Drama Theatre is the central venue for the events although they take place in numerous locations across the city and many are free of charge. Vilnius Pages brings contemporary literature to the general public, making it a popular, attractive and enjoyable pastime. The festival attracts large audiences, is widely covered by the national press and applauded by the literary community. The festival is organized by the Association for Reading Promotion and Cultural Literacy and Lithuanian Writers’ Union with other partners. To learn more please visit www.vilniauslapai.lt

November 08-25, European Film Forum Scanorama, cinema theatres throughout Lithuania

The European Film Forum Scanorama is one of the most distinctive cultural events in Lithuania. The film festival has become the highlight of cultural life during fall every year. In November, Scanorama visits the four largest cities of the country (Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda and Siauliai). Lasting over twenty days, it is a forum for films from all over Europe, presenting more than a hundred films by European directors of various formats and genres. Having started as a Nordic film festival back in 2003, Scanorama draws inspiration from both the cinema classics like Ingmar Bergman as well as such avant-garde cinema movements as Dogma’95. This is what determines that every year Scanorama boldly opens to viewers new territories of cinema, new names, and new directions and generations of filmmakers, at the same time looking back to the origins and traditions of cinema. Detailed information on the forum can be found at www.scanorama.lt

Ongoing till November 10, Contemporary Music Festival GAIDA 2018, various venues in Vilnius

GAIDA Festival is the largest and the most prominent festival of modern music in Lithuania and in all Baltic countries. This is one of the most important music forums in Central and Eastern Europe. Events in the GAIDA Festival are always associated with new ideas of modern times, highest quality and innovations. GAIDA introduces Vilnius audiences to the finest achievements of world contemporary music, the most famous musicians are invited to the festival and the most impressive works are performed. GAIDA presents creations from many different genres, from symphonic orchestra concerts to electronic music, innovative multi-media projects, music theatre, sound installations and club events. The events of the GAIDA Festival take place in the main concert halls of Vilnius: the National Philharmonic, National Opera and Ballet Theatre, Congress Concert Hall, National Drama Theatre, Arts Printing House, Contemporary Art Centre. Full program and other information is available at www.vilniusfestivals.lt

November 15-18, International Jazz Festival “Vilnius Mama Jazz”, various venues in Vilnius

The international festival “Vilnius Mama Jazz” stands out for the relevance of its program and focus on contemporary developments in jazz. The festival takes place at the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre and live music club Tamsta. The theatre hosts concerts, a discussion platform – Vilnius Mama Jazz Margins, exhibitions, stands from bookshops and publishing companies, reading rooms, and improvisation sessions where masters of the genre and young performers come together seeking new forms of expression. One of the main innovations of the festival is the discussion platform Vilnius Mama Jazz Margins. It offers an artistic and cultural dialogue between those who work in the creative sphere, the academic community and representatives of the jazz world. The aim of this project is to capture current trends in jazz music and jazz identification within the context of other cultural phenomena, and to understand the authenticity and relevance of Lithuanian jazz today. In addition to prominent figures in the jazz scene, Vilnius Mama Jazz presents a comprehensive panorama of jazz in Lithuania. Lithuanian performers have an opportunity to present their latest projects or stage original artistic programs specially created for the festival.  For full information on the festival please visit the festival’s official web page www.vilniusmamajazz.lt  

November 26 – December 02, 16th International Animated Film Festival Tindirindis 2018, Vilnius

The international festival of animated cartoons Tindirindis is an arena of non-commercial films.  The festival will offer a diverse program, featuring films of the famous directors, debutants and animation students from various countries, many of whom were awarded at numerous international animation festivals. The events of the festival are free of charge. To learn more please go to www.tindirindis.lt

November 30, Concert by Salvador Sobral, Concert Hall Compensa, Vilnius

‘Music is not a firework, it’s a feeling’, – Salvador Sobral, the winner of last year “Eurovision” from Portugal made Europe believe these words. This year, on 30 Novembe he performs in Lithuania, in Vilnius. Here, he will perform with his band and will present songs from his debut album, “Excuse Me”, released in 2016, as well as works from the new album, which is being released this autumn. Tickets can be purchased online via www.bilietai.lt