Event Guide

ESTONIA

June 07-08, Good Food Festival Grillfrest, Pärnu

Grillfest takes place on the beautiful meadow by Vallikääru in Pärnu in June, every year. For two days, 300 caterers from Estonia and abroad serve their best fare. There are outdoor restaurants, cafés and even a pet restaurant. You can enjoy the Good Food Fair, the national fishing championships and food preparation competitions; a large and exciting play area is available for children. The festival has performances by excellent artists on various stages; music styles offer something to every taste. Both days of the festival end with magnificent fireworks. After Grill Parties take place at festival clubs. Everyone is welcome to the Grillfest, the entrance is free of charge! Timetable is available on festival’s website www.grillfest.ee 

June 08-09, Tallinn Street Food Festival & Street Artists’ Festival TaDaa!, Telliskivi Creative City Tallinn

Tallinn Street Food Festival that largely initiated the fast development of the street food scene in Estonia is taking place for the 6th time on June 08-09, 2019. Tallinn Street Food Festival is an international street food event, which introduces people to the latest food trends. The festival offers fresh street food from foodtrucks, pop-up street cafes, top restaurants, and alternative chefs. 

The international Street Artists’ Festival TaDaa! will bring together nearly 50 artists from Estonia and abroad. During two days, guests can enjoy 40 hours of entertainment by street artists, musicians, circus and fire artists, as well as other entertainers. The entrance fee is 1 euro for everyone. For more information on the festival please visit www.tänavatoidufestival.ee 

Open till June 09, The Spring Exhibition 2019 of the Estonian Artists’ Association, Art Hall, Tallinn

‘The spring exhibition of the Estonian Artists’ Association is a manifestation of diversity and a place where the artist’s egos, spiritual attitudes and visual styles meet. At the same time, the spring exhibition is a kind of ‘art competition’, where the participants can take the measure of each other… The issues that span generations and the dialogues between works and artists are some of the most exciting aspects of this exhibition,’ said Vano Allsalu, Vice-President of the Estonian Artists’ Association. Learn more about the exhibition on Facebook.

June 10-16, Street Art Festival ‘Stencibility’, various venues in Tartu

Stencibility is an annual street art festival which believes that free and independent street art is necessary. It brings together artists and street art enthusiasts who share this view. We experiment a lot with the format of the festival to bring the most fascinating and weird street art projects to the audience, explain the nature of street art to those who are not familiar with this world, and support active street artists. This year’s programme includes an international sticker exhibition, workshops, an experimental city tour, street art tours with a guide, a movie, and, of course, several works on the streets of Tartu. For additional information please visit www.stencibility.eu or festival’s Facebook page.

June 13-16, Sõru Jazz, Sõru Harbour, Hiiumaa

Sõru Jazz is a summer jazz-music festival with a cozy atmosphere, and it brings a number of well-known and acknowledged Estonian musicians to Hiiumaa for three days. In addition to good music and company, Hiiumaa itself is an asset with its beautiful ports and lovely people, all of which has become the phenomenon of Sõru Jazz and given people a reason to come back here year after year. Hiiumaa has, without a doubt, the best wind, sea, and sun in Estonia – if the weather is nice, you can enjoy the concerts outside, on the grass. All info is available on Facebook.

June 15-16, Tartu Street Food Festival 2019, The Widget Factory, Tartu

The first ever Tartu Street Food Festival took place in the Widget Factory in 2017 and attracted more than 9000 street food lovers confirming that this party of taste experiences can become a tradition. This year in June, the festival returns as a two-day event. The festival has selected caterers, who combine quality ‘classical’ street food with fresh, surprising and exotic flavors. Tartu Street Food Festival is a major international street food event which introduces the latest food trends. The festival offers street food from food trucks, pop-up street cafes, top restaurants, and alternative chefs. As the Republic of Estonia is celebrating its 100th anniversary, the festival will focus on Estonian street food and its new flavors.

June 24-30, Pärnu International Documentary and Anthropology Film Festival, Pärnu

The Pärnu International Documentary and Anthropology Film Festival, founded in 1987, is the oldest of its kind in the Baltic countries. The initiators of the festival were the writer and president of the Republic of Estonia Lennart Meri and documentary film maker Mark Soosaar. The aim of the festival in general is to support cultural survival of peoples. Only documentary films and videos of high value and quality, recording human activities in social, historical or ecological context are accepted for competition screenings. One of the main themes of the festival has always been the survival of indigenous peoples and their cultures. For more information on the festival please visit www.mona.ee 

LATVIA

June 01, Season Opening Concert, Dzintari Concert Hall, Jurmala

The Dzintari Concert Hall opening concert will feature a performance by Latvian maestro Raimonds Pauls and the Latvian Radio Big Band. For more info please visit www.dzintarukoncertzale.lv and for ticket purchase please go to www.bilesuparadize.lv 

June 04, Riga Festival, Convert by Concertgebouw Jazz Orchestra and the Latvian Radio Big Band, Congress Center, Riga

What does Dutch and Lativian jazz have in common? What makes them different? What is the key to the unique or unifying aspects of both? We might find the answers in the concert programme that brings together two world-class collectives – the Concertgebouw Jazz Orchestra and the Latvian Radio Big Band. The home side opens the match with the Latvian Jazz Suite featuring pieces written or arranged by musicians of the Latvian Radio Big Band, while the visitors, coming from their home of 20 years – the legendary Concertgebouw concert hall, strike back with compositions from their latest record Crossroads. To buy tickets online please go to www.bilesuparadize.lvhttp://www.bilesuparadize.lv 

June 05-16, Riga Opera Festival 2019, Latvian National Opera, Riga

This year, the Riga Opera Festival will celebrate its 22nd anniversary. Over the years, the festival has become a much-anticipated tradition, widely praised by the Latvian audience as well as foreign visitors. Each year, the Riga Opera Festival features the brightest productions of this and past seasons, as well as the opportunity to meet talented Latvian singers and illustrious foreign soloists. To learn more please visit www.opera.lv and to buy tickets online please go to www.bilesuparadize.lv

Open till June 09, Photo Exhibition by Margarita Fedina, Art Nouveau Center, Riga

Celebrating the 160th anniversary of the famous Latvian architect Konstantins Peksens, the Riga Art Nouveau Center invites all to attend Margarita Fedina’s latest photo exhibition ‘Architect Konstantīns Peksens’ Riga. Moods’. The exhibition will feature approximately 30 of Peksens’ designed buildings in Riga from the point of view of the artist.

Open from June 14 throughout summer, International Exhibition of Contemporary and Conceptual Jewelry ‘Sunlight in Butterfly Wings’, Putti Art Gallery, Riga

The main focus of the summer jewelry exhibition is on colors. Color is the sum of feelings, the association abc-book. Color is organic. It makes things alive. The artist creates in his work his own color environment, which forms human thoughts and feelings in one way or another. Contemporary jewelry artists play successfully not only with materials, but also with colors, using them in their jewelry collections. The colorful jewelry wearer can be highlighted, emphasized, contrasted, relaxed and harmonized with the outfit and the surrounding environment. A colorful jewelry can be an outstanding ally in communicating with the environment and with yourself. For more info please go to www.putti.lv 

June 15-16, R&B Blues Festival, Open-Air Stage, Ropaži Park, Ropaži

R&B and soul music artists from Australia, the United States, Belgium and Latvia will once again perform at the annual R&B Blues Festival at the Ropaži open-air stage. The organizers of the festival, the well-known Latvian Blues Band, will make sure the musical program is an exciting one, as it plans to perform yet unheard music from its upcoming album. The one-day festival will entertain music lovers all throughout the night, with a special afterparty blues jam to take place in a special 400 square meter tent after the concert performances until dawn. Ropaži Park is located 40 kilometers from downtown Riga and can be easily reached by car or bus from Riga Bus Station, with four daily departures. To learn more please visit www.rbbluesfestival.com and to buy tickets online please go to www.bilesuserviss.lv

June 21, Summer Solstice Celebration, Turaida Museum reserve, Turaida

Summer Solstice — the shortest night of the year and day full of mysteries and traditions — is widely celebrated on 21 June. This year Jāņi (name of Latvian Summer Solstice celebrations) will be celebrated in Turaida with performances of folklore ensembles from various regions of Latvia. Turaida Museum Reserve is a remarkable cultural monument at European level with a history of over one thousand years. In the shortest night of the year it offers to enjoy the magical feeling of the Summer Solstice by experiencing ancient traditions in nature — God's Garden. Latvian traditions — strengthening of male and female power, decorating the yard, making flower wreaths, making cheese, singing folk songs, honoring the sun, bonfire rituals, dancing, scaring away witches, strength songs, collecting morning dew, and welcoming the sun in the morning. Please visit www.turaida-muzejs.lv for more information.

June 30, Concert by Fado Diva Ana Moura, Dzintari Concert Hall, Jurmala

Fado is a special musical style balancing between Portuguese blues, tango and flamenco. In her motherland Ana Moura has been for long regarded as a fado star. Also, the audience in Paris and New York is delighted by her art. Though Ana Moura sings the modern fado, she does not belittle tradition – exactly the opposite – she nurses and develops it. “The weary, low and melancholic voice of Ana Moura is better to be listened to than described,” journalists admit. To buy tickets online please go to www.bilesuserviss.lv 

 

LITHUANIA 

May 30 – June 02, International Contemporary Art Fair ArtVilnius’19, Exhibition and Convention Center Litexpo, Vilnius

The international contemporary art fair, ArtVilnius’19, means four days of art and discoveries with artists from around the globe. The biggest visual arts event in the Baltics offers a broad program: hundreds of artists, thousands of fascinating artworks, encounters with stars of the art world, engaging discussions and a special educational program. ArtVilnius’19 is an exclusive opportunity to see and purchase art from around the world, to be inspired and to meet accomplished artists in person. Full information on the fair is available at www.artvilnius.com 

June 03-21, Vilnius Festival 2019, various venues in Vilnius

Founded in 1997 by the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society, the largest concert organization in Lithuania, the Vilnius Festival has become one of the most notable music events in Lithuania. With primary focus on symphonic and chamber music programs performed by established Lithuanian and international musicians, it also promotes contemporary Lithuanian music by presenting premieres as well as commissioning new large-scale works. The Festival also collaborates with other European festivals. The 23rd Vilnius Festival will feature nine concerts that will take place in various venues in Vilnius – Compensa Concert Hall, the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Vilnius University St. Johns’ Church and Church of St. Casimir, as well as the Russian Drama Theatre of Lithuania. The original and intriguing programs range from colorful opening concert of Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder’ songs to grandioso dramatic concert for soloists, choir and orchestra after Grieg’s music. Festival’s detailed program and more can be found at www.filharmonija.lt and tickets can be purchased online at www.bilietai.lt

June 14, Culture Night, various venues in Vilnius

Art will invade the streets, galleries and even some unexpected spaces in Vilnius once the sun sets. Will you be able to see more than 150 music, dance, theatre, cinema, photography, modern installations, and many other projects in one night? Visit cultural events for free and discover unconventional solutions, experiments, and new creative spaces. Learn more at www.kulturosnaktis.lt 

Open till June 16, Exhibition ‘History and the Artist: Giedrius Kazimierėnas’, National Museum of
Lithuania, Vilnius

The exhibition “History and the Artist: Giedrius Kazimierėnas” is presented as one of the events of the continued series “History and the Artist” initiated by the National Museum of Lithuania, which centers on the relation of contemporary artists to historical plots and their interpretations. Events of the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and their participants come alive in large-size canvases by the painter, professor Giedrius Kazimierėnas, which he has been creating during the last fifteen years. While interpreting the glorious history of Lithuania, the artist created a unique world of painting using a language of symbols and metaphors, in which unique expression is intertwined with facts found in authentic written and visual sources. All official information can be found at www.lnm.lt

June 27 – August 28, Christopher Summer Festival 2019, various venues in Vilnius

Everyone’s welcome to the 25th Christopher Summer Festival. The name of the festival comes from Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travellers and Vilnius. So the essence of the Christopher Summer Festival is already encrypted in its title – a broad musical panorama, and a sense of belonging to Vilnius. These two factors have determined the musical spectrum, and the desire to show-off the capital's beauty by organising concerts in courtyards, churches, on the river and in the sky, from the very first years since its inception. This summer, performances will take place on firm ground, but there will be plenty of novelties: from the chance to be a concert art director to musical breakfasts, from making an acquaintance with Stanisław Moniuszko to the stories of Hans Christian Andersen. But there’s also the new faces, unexpected combos and well-established traditions. Festival’s detailed program and more can be found at www.kristupofestivalis.lt and tickets can be purchased online at www.tiketa.lt