Aparaaditehase festival opens studios and closes Kastani Street

The 11th Aparaaditehase festival begins on Thursday and brings together the Aparaaditehas factory complex and the wider Kastani-Filosoofi quarter in Tartu for three days, ERR reports. The programme spans factory corridors, galleries, Kastani Street, Taskupark and the courtyards of the quarter, with exhibitions, music, tours, workshops, markets and access to normally closed spaces.

The festival opens with sport on August 27. Taskupark will host the second Aparaaditehase championships in running through the factory, where competitors will follow a course through staircases, corridors and other corners of the building instead of along a conventional track. The evening will continue with rooftop yoga led by Tartu Ashtanga Yoga School.

On August 28, the quarter will host the 19th edition of Galleries Night. In addition to galleries, artists’ studios, shops, workplaces and other occupants of the Aparaaditehas building will open their doors, with the programme continuing until late in the evening. Visitors will be able to explore 14 exhibition venues.

The evening will also feature an art tour in Ukrainian led by Ukrainian artist Viktoria Berezina, who works at Aparaaditehas. Workshops will include contact improvisation, ceramic decoration, building a synthesiser, making leather accessories and printing.

Music will be performed at Sõõr Lab, Typa Gallery, Ajuokse Avangaar, AG47, Taskupark and on Kastani Street. Galleries Night will end with an official after-party at Peninuk. Visitors will also be able to see Lovisa Luka Hiiop’s video installation on the wall of Livida Resident on Kastani Street.

On August 29, Kastani Street will be closed to car traffic and the quarter will become a large street festival. From noon to 5 p.m., the street and its surroundings will host the Müüri­ lille flea market, Ajuokse’s alternative art market, TYPA Pressfest’s print fair and Paranduskeldri’s second-hand goods market.

The street will also feature food trucks, music, pop-up events and open table-tennis championships organised by writer and Kastani Street resident Anti Saar.

Taskupark will offer children and families a family courtyard organised by Karud ja Pojad, with a children’s flea market, children’s cafés, a creative area and workshops. Visitors can also join several tours, including an exploration of the Aparaaditehas quarter, a look inside the newly completed Livida Resident building and the Gutenberg cat tour, which follows the factory cat’s tracks.

Music will continue on Kastani Street throughout the day, with sets by Frotee DJs, Teet Liiv and Indrek Mällo. Carlotta will perform at 5 p.m.

The Aparaaditehase festival is free, although some workshops and activities have a fee. Advance registration is required for some tours and workshops.