Viljandi guitar festival brings Robben Ford and guitar generations together
Friday 4th September 2026 on 14:30 in
Estonia
The 19th Viljandi Guitar Festival will bring internationally known guitarists, Estonian musicians and young performers to Viljandi from October 7 to 11, ERR reports.
Over five days, concerts will take place in concert halls, a church, galleries and the Holstre Magasiait venue.
One of the festival’s best-known guests is US guitarist Robben Ford, who will perform with a trio at the Viljandi Folk Music Centre on October 10. His music combines blues, jazz and rock.
The festival will also host The Chaplin Project, a trio project by Stochelo and Mozes Rosenberg from the Netherlands. The concert will combine the Rosenbergs’ guitar playing with music from Charlie Chaplin’s films.
French and South Korean duo Antoine Boyer and Yeore Kim will bring together guitar and harmonica, jazz and swing, as well as influences from different musical cultures.
Estonian artists on the programme include a concert dedicated to Robert Jürjendal’s 60th birthday. Three line-ups will perform during the evening, offering a retrospective of Jürjendal’s work.
The festival will also showcase younger guitarists. Robin Mäetalu, the 2025 recipient of the Tiit Paulus Young Guitarist Award, will perform with a seven-member ensemble. The programme includes his original compositions, including material from his forthcoming debut album.
Other Estonian acts representing different musical styles include Eesti Keeled, Erki Pärnoja, Sten-Olle, Kaschalot and Haldi & ans Flamingod. Classical guitar performances will be given by Jelena Ossipova and Kristjan Tamm.
The programme also includes concerts for audiences of different ages. On Saturday, the festival guitar orchestra will perform under the direction of Pent Järve. On Sunday, Andre Maaker and Priit Võigemast will give a family concert combining music with stories and humour.
In addition to the Viljandi Folk Music Centre, events will take place at Schloss Fellin, the Viljandi Conservatory, Viljandi Baptist Church, Rüki Gallery and the Kondase Centre. The festival will close with a concert at Holstre Magasiait.