Kuusalu Laurits Day brings four speakers and evening concert

Kuusalu Laurits Day on August 10 will feature informal talks by four well-known people, followed by an evening concert, ERR reported, citing Vikerraadio’s interview with Laurentsiuse Society head Sulev Valdmaa.

The event will feature Auditor General Janar Holm, organ builder Toomas Mäeväli, Ants Johanson and puppet maker Ene Mello. Organisers said the speakers will share their thoughts and experiences rather than deliver formal presentations, while the audience can guide the discussions with questions and comments.

Valdmaa said on the Vikerraadio programme “Vikerhommik” that the storytelling event grew out of conferences dedicated to Eduard Ahrens. After years of organising academic conferences, the society decided to offer a less formal event every other year.

This year’s event will be the third Laurits Day storytelling session. The 12th Eduard Ahrens conference will be held next year.

The speakers have not been given specific subjects in advance. Holm will discuss his views on Estonia’s development, Mäeväli will talk about church bells and organs, Johanson about Veljo Tormis, and Mello about her long career as a puppet maker.

Although several of this year’s speakers are connected to Kuusalu, Valdmaa said that is not a separate requirement. He said local audiences also valued the opportunity to hear people and stories from their own area.

The storytelling will begin at 1 p.m., followed by a food break. Singer Jaanika Kuusik and Riivo Kallasmaa will perform a concert in the evening. The event has developed a regular audience, with people travelling from across Estonia to attend, although this year’s turnout is difficult to predict because the event falls on a Monday.

The Laurentsiuse Society is also completing the manuscript of a comprehensive book about Kuusalu Parish. Valdmaa said the idea emerged after it became clear that, unlike many other parishes, Kuusalu did not have a complete history book.

The manuscript, completed over the past year, contains hundreds of pages of text and images. Negotiations over publication are under way, and the book’s final format will depend on funding.