Estonia launches contemporary performing arts showcase festival

Estonia’s contemporary performing arts showcase festival begins in Tartu on Monday, bringing nearly 50 international festival and theatre directors, curators, directors and critics to the country, ERR reported.

The four-day festival, organised by the Estonian Theatre Agency, will present nine productions in Tallinn and Tartu, highlighting the latest trends in Estonia’s performing arts scene.

Now in its 13th year, the festival aims to strengthen ties between Estonian and international theatre professionals and increase the chances of productions from Estonia reaching audiences abroad. Guests are expected from Finland, Sweden, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, Greece, Belgium, Iceland, the Czech Republic, Armenia, the United States and Canada.

Festival programme

The 2026 programme includes Lauri Lagle’s “Ma ei märganudki, millal sa läksid” by Ekspeditsioon; Renate Keerd’s “Öösel päike ei põle” by Tartu New Theatre; Mart Kangro’s solo performance “Meedium” by Von Krahl Theatre and OÜ Olevik; Keithy Kuuspu and Liisa Saaremäel’s “Millest on tehtud väikesed tüdrukud”, a co-production with Kanuti Gildi SAAL; Juhan Ulfsak’s “Tagasiside” by Von Krahl Theatre; Hendrik Toompere Jr’s “500 aastat sõprust” by the Estonian Drama Theatre; Maike Lond’s “Three Ballads, a Story and My Mother’s Estate”, a co-production with Kanuti Gildi SAAL; choreographer Sofia Martila’s diploma production “SƎDA” from Tallinn University’s Baltic Film, Media and Arts Institute; and Nele Tiidelepp’s “10 ways to dance”.

A public discussion titled “European theatre’s grand staircases and backstage” will take place on September 10 in the small hall of Tartu New Theatre. Three international festival guests will share their views on the international performing arts landscape and Estonia’s position within it. The discussion will be moderated by Liisi Aibel, the festival’s curator-coordinator and head of the Estonian Theatre Agency.