Culture.ee’s weekly recommendations: 30 July – 5 August, 2018

The oldest and best-known international chamber music festival of Estonia is a popular and anticipated music event among the audience. Kuressaare Chamber Music Days have decorated the cultural summer of Saaremaa with its exciting and versatile concerts since 1995.

Leto that premiered in the competition programme of the Cannes Festival and won the best soundtrack award rebuilds the atmosphere of the beginning of the 80s, in which Viktor Tsoi, the leader of the Russian cult band Kino, started his career. Although the film is based on real-life events, it is not documentary but rather poetic. Kirill Serebrennikov has put into use the versatility of his theatre and film directing skills. On the one hand, it is a delicate and sensitive love story; on the other hand, it is a postmodern rock opera with elements of experimental theatre, or La La Land put into Russian context, a sort of requiem for the generation of the janitors and guards who could experience the unique magic and fantasy world in their grey everyday lives.

In 2018, “August Blues” celebrates its 25th anniversary. Thanks to the programme that has become more and more deliberate during the years and the considerable interest of the audiences, Haapsalu becomes a paradise for a music lover. The main stage is nestled in the beautiful surroundings of the ancient Episcopal Castle, featuring both big names from the United States – the cradle of blues, and Europe as well as exciting projects from the local performers. The daily programme offers workshops, exhibitions and traditional acoustic concerts in the old railway station. Club 56 Blues in the Haapsalu Cultural Center will keep the jam going till the early hours. There will be over 30 concerts altogether on 8 stages, music can also be enjoyed in streets and open-air cafes.

Intsikurmu is a festival of music and art, where people from different backgrounds who share common values find inspiration for some new creative initiatives. In addition to the carefully selected musical programme, the festival will showcase the light and video installations and art objects that highlight the magic of the forest park. There will be also a street food area with tasteful choices (from the stone oven pizzas to the fish restaurant, vegetarian and vegan menus) and forest restaurants with table service. The younger visitors of the festival can enjoy the children’s area.

Situated in the domed landscape of Southern Estonia, Leigo Farm and its picturesque lakes host guests on the big lake yet again – that is, the performers will be on the lake and the guests on the shore. The first day of the festival will feature the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra performing works from Estonia and its neighbouring countries, including works by Eller, Kreek, Kapp, Mediņš, Sibelius, and Tormis (soloist Mati Turi, conductor Vello Pähn). The second day of the festival will be concluded by the ceremonial Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Live fire installations on the lake and its shores will be accompanying the last concerts on both days.

Tartu Food and Wine Festival offers genuine Estonian taste experiences courtesy of small producers from South Estonia and pop-up restaurants as well as a rich selection of wines. Everyone can participate in the open tasting events and get advice from the best Estonian sommeliers. Your enjoyment of good food and wine will be complemented by a family-friendly entertainment programme, a unique gourmet dinner, home cafes at various city districts and many other tasty and exciting events.

Ecology, contemporary art and social activism will meet at this exploratory festival. Today, the nature protection and fight for animal rights have become an integral part of standing up for social equality. Contemporary art, as well as ecology, helps to abandon anthropocentrism and portray a human being as one strange creature among other similar creatures and things. Within the framework of the festival an exhibition will be open which represents the works of Estonian, Russian and British artists. The festival also holds an open discussion with artists and eco-activists, an excursion in the city, a butoh dance master class, a tea ceremony, a lecture on sound ecology and other interesting things.

The festival is designed to enable the audience to enjoy the art of interpretation by outstanding pianists and to develop cultural relations between Estonia and Japan. The programme includes the music of Tchaikovsky, Ravel, Bach, Grieg, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, Sumera and others performed by Irina Zahharenkova, Anahit Nersesyan, Izumi Tateno, Ralf Taal and students of Eivere Summer Academy.

The programme of the opening concert of the festival includes J. S. Bach’s Coffee Cantata, which will fit perfectly with the theme of the Kärdla Cafeteria Day. Soloists of the concert are from Israel – Yizhar Karshon (harpsichord) and Genevieve Blanchard (flute). The festival also features the winner of the TV programme Classical Music Stars, Tanel-Eiko Novikov, the grandmother’s choir Vanaemad together with their wonderful conductor Silvia Mellik, the chamber choir Collegium Musicale and the top conductor Daniel Reuss from the Netherlands. Under his baton, the works of Tüür and Tobias will be performed at the final concert of the festival.

At the Summer Night’s International Ballet Gala, young dancers from all over the world (New Zealand, USA, Europe, Russia) will perform on the stage of the National Opera. A new, original choreography and gems from the history of classical ballet will be presented. The programme also includes brilliant guest soloists Allister Madin and Chloë Réveillon (Opéra National de Paris) and Elisabetta Formento Cavaier and Cristiano Principato (Dutch National Ballet).