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Tallinn Old Town Days project manager Anne Velt advises everyone to take a little time to delve into this year’s bulky programme, promising something for all. The event launch falling unto International Children’s Day, the eight-day jamboree kicks off with a parade meant for kids.
«This will be childlike, fun, carnival-like, with chimney sweeps and all kinds of circus folks. The chimney sweeps – about 40 all in all – stream in from Latvia, Finland and even Lithuania,» said Ms Velt.
The procession, starting from Freedom Square, at noon, proceeds to Town Hall Square. Having exchanged greetings, the kids then hit the Towers’ Square – with a kids area opened the entire week long.
«Come, all ye kids and adults young at heart! No one needs to stay away – rather the opposite,» insisted the project manager.
Officially, the Old Town Days are opened at 8 pm, June 1st, on Town Hall Square. The opening ceremony will be followed by the cantata Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, played by the ERSO symphonic orchestra lead by Eri Klas, joined by a hundred-strong choir and the dance theatre Fine5.
«There’ll be plenty of power, beauty and show,» assures Ms Velt, adding that in reality the festival does start on Saturday morning, already – the entire day teeming with Old Town centred activity.
«An enthusiastic volunteer has counted up 550 events, all in all, this year – with all the excursions and exhibitions,» rejoiced Ms Velt.
«For each day, there is a definite topic, so people can make their choice, according to their interests. For instance, June 2nd is Church Day, with the churches introducing themselves and takings steps closer to town folks, with their activities both spiritual and cultural. There’ll be church concerts, also,» she specified.
June 3rd, however, will be Health Day, crowned by the traditional Rat Race with office apparelled white-collar workers running for a prize. The day winds off with a concert, on Town Hall Square, by the band Põhja-Tallinn.
The motto, this year, being Every Tower Has It’s Story, the programme touches upon 21 towers. In addition to Fat Margaret and Assauwe Tower, hosting museums, Ms Velt pointed to the Bremen Tower at Vene Street – opened up just for the event.
«History tells us that, at a certain period of time, the [Bremen] tower was used as a prison. As, currently, it sits idle, we are setting up a prison installation with Katariina Guild artists. Starting next week, Tall Hermann tower presents an exhibition by the photographer Ingmar Muusikus,» said Ms Velt.
For those with deeper interest towards Old Town and history, various excursions come in handy. «For instance: Tiina Mägi of Home Town House (kodulinna maja) has put together a fun series of walks, with various historians tackling sections of the wall – one a day – and giving an introduction into their background,» said Ms Velt.
Daily topics
• June 1st – Children’s Day
• June 2nd – Church Day
• June 3rd – Health Day
• June 4th – Traditions Day
• June 5th – Museum Day
• June 6th – Theatre’s Day
• June 7th – Music Day
• June 8th – Medieval Day