Page 54 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

52 INTRODUCING EST ONIA

ESTONIA THROUGH
THE YEAR

Estonians celebrate a host of seasonal also the time when a series of con certs
festivals through the year. These encompass are held throughout the country, and
everything from religion, folk culture and when the Folklore Baltica Festival (see p136),
handicrafts to art, music, dance and theatre, which showcases the region’s distinct
mak ing the festival calendar both colourful traditional culture, takes place. In addition
and remarkable. Much of the festive frenzy to the annual festivals, a number of
occurs in the summer, peak ing with the commemorative days are observed
Midsummer’s Eve celebrations. Summer is throughout Estonia.

Spring
As is to be expected in a
country so attuned to the
seasons, spring is a joyful time
marked by a lively range of
long-established festivals.

March
Tallinn Music Week (late Mar),
Tallinn. An interesting line-up
of more than 200 acts of differ-
ent music genres and events
in art, design, food and drink.
April
Estonian Music Days (early
Apr). Contemporary Estonian Horse-riders in medieval costumes, celebrating Tallinn Old Town Days
classical music is showcased in
Tallinn and other cities. early May). During this festival, resplendent summers with an
International Choir Festival (one Tartu’s students hold bizarre abundance of festivals to
week, late Apr), Tallinn. As well as concerts, shows and parties welcome in the new season.
a choral contest, concerts are open to everybody.
staged at churches around Tallinn. June
Jazzkaar (late Apr). This big jazz May Midsummer’s Eve (Jaanipäev)
festival held through out Spring Farm Days (mid-May), (23 Jun). This summer
Estonia includes local and Tallinn. The Estonian Open-Air celebration is marked by
international names. Museum celebrates the a night of joyous drinking,
Tartu Student Days (late Apr– traditional spring farming eating and age-old rituals
tasks, such as growing crops around a bonfire.
and rearing livestock. Pärnu Hanseatic Days (late Jun).
Tallinn Literature Festival This two-day festival includes
(late May), Tallinn. Local and a procession, a crafts fair and a
international authors gather in knights’ tournament.
the Old Town. Juu Jääb Muhu Music
Tallinn Old Town Days (late Festival (late Jun), Muhu
May–early Jun). Tallinn’s Island. A small and enjoyable
medieval past is celebrated with open-air festival of local and
re-enactments of old traditions international music, tending
like jousting. The streets are towards jazz and world music.
filled with market stalls and
people in costume. July
Haapsalu Early Music Festival
(early Jul). Set in the pretty
Summer
surroundings of Haapsalu
After the long months of wintry Castle, this is a celebration of
Saxophonist playing at a concert gloom and darkness, Estonians early classical music.
during Jazzkaar make the best of their short but Õllesummer Festival (early