Tallinn Old Town Days will Celebrate the Year of the Estonian Book

From June 6–8, the 43rd edition of Tallinn Old Town Days will take place, featuring over 200 exciting events across the vibrant program. The three-day festival will open with a performance by Trad.Attack!, which is likely to be their last concert in the capital.

According to Tallinn’s Deputy Mayor for Culture, Kaarel Oja, this long-standing event is one of the city’s most important summer highlights, offering a chance to rediscover the dignified and story-filled Old Town

“Everyone is welcome to explore the Old Town—both locals and visitors from near and far. The packed program includes several guided tours that reveal the unique stories of the Old Town’s hidden corners. While steeped in history, the Old Town is also a lively space filled with contemporary cultural events. I hope that each visitor finds a new favorite place during the festival—one they’ll want to return to,” said Oja.

Inspired by the Year of the Estonian Book, the 43rd Tallinn Old Town Days will pay special attention to Estonian books, writers, poets, and guardians of the written word. Several concerts will feature works by Estonian authors—Vaiko Eplik & Eliit’s latest album is based on Betti Alver’s texts, several of Põhja Konn’s songs are written using Hando Runnel’s poetry, and the concert by Emma Johanna Lepasoo and Grigori Rõžuk is based on writer Vahur Afanasjev’s poetry collection “Songs of the Silver Wolf.”

Specially for Old Town Days, the Tallinn City Archives will open its doors, offering a rare opportunity to explore the vaults and storage rooms where, among other treasures, Estonia’s oldest document from 1237 and the oldest surviving Estonian-language book from 1535 are kept.

In collaboration with the Estonian Publishers Association and the Estonian Writers’ Union, a book fair will be held, and the Sõprus cinema will screen the classic Estonian films “Nukitsamees” and “Viimne rekiikvia” for free. Puppet theater performances will take place on Town Hall Square, and in the children’s and youth area in Toompark, visitors can play with  beloved characters Lotte and Sipsik. Altogether, the program features nearly 40 events inspired by the Year of the Estonian Book.

As usual, the festival invites visitors to discover the hidden treasures of this historic district and to look behind the façades of its buildings. Over the three days, there will be special guided tours and excursions into historical buildings, towers, and courtyards that are normally closed to the public. Tours will take visitors to the Parliament Building (Riigikogu), Tallinn Town Hall, the Nighthood Building, a former goldsmiths’ house on Hobusepea Street, and many other locations.

Several museums in the Old Town will feature special programs during the festival. For example, the Estonian Museum of Natural History will offer both fossil and bat walks, as well as insect-watching activities. The Estonian Museum of Architecture will host a family tour of the exhibition “TALLINN UNDER FULL SAIL: Olympic Constructions That Changed the City,” and a family day will take place at Fat Margaret. One of Tallinn’s landmarks, the Kiek in de Kök artillery tower, will celebrate the 550th anniversary of its first recorded mention with a family event on June 7.

For the delight of children and families, Toompark will host LAHELA, a children’s and youth area filled with various exciting activities for all ages, open June 7–8. On Tornide Square, a Folk Heritage Village will be set up for the weekend, with performances by folk art groups and workshops organized by the Estonian Folk Art and Craft Union. On Saturday, Freedom Square will host the European Capital of Sport Cycling Day, where visitors can challenge themselves on a skills course, meet cyclist Tanel Kangert, and try out e-bikes.

Throughout the festival, various artists from Estonia and abroad will perform on different stages. Major acts on the main stage next to St. Nicholas’ Church include Vaiko Eplik & Eliit, Põhja Konn, Sissel Dagsland (NO), Sibyl Vane, and the Tallinn Volunteer Fire Brigade Wind Orchestra, among others. On Friday, Daniel Levi will perform in the Stenbock House courtyard, and on Saturday, a Silent Disco will be held in the Bishop’s Garden.

During Old Town Days, handicraft market will operate on Niguliste Street and Eduard Vilde Square. On June 7, the courtyard of the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design will host a market of Estonian design classics, and the Green Market will feature a vintage market. On June 8, Niguliste Street will showcase a selection of Estonian student companies, while products from junior student companies will be available at the children’s and youth area in Toompark.

The 43rd Tallinn Old Town Days will open on June 6 at 7:00 PM in Toompark, with an opening concert by Trad.Attack! The three-day festival will conclude on the evening of June 8 with Jaak Juske’s popular ghost story tour.

Explore the full program on the festival’s official website: vanalinnapaevad.ee 

Participation in Tallinn Old Town Days events is mostly free of charge unless otherwise noted.

Tallinn Old Town Days are organized by the Tallinn Department of Culture and Sports.