Virukeskus
Foodhall
On Saturday, 18 January, the theme year, which began a year ago and is dedicated to all the residents of Estonia – the Cultural Diversity Year – will come to an end. For this occasion, everyone is welcome to attend a free cultural diversity gala, which will be held by the theme year working group in Viru Keskus in cooperation with various communities.
The gala offers an opportunity to celebrate the cultural diversity that is born from the cultural differences and similarities of the people living in Estonia. Our country has been home to communities of Estonians and other peoples for centuries, and there are currently more than 217 such communities. The resulting cultural diversity is expressed, for example, in languages, customs, clothes, food, songs and dances.
At the cultural diversity gala, you can participate in a number of unique activities with family and friends. For example, to highlight our cultural diversity, Alika Milova, Ant Nurhan, Uku Suviste and many other stars of the Estonian music scene will give a unique gala concert. For the finale, all the performers will sing together with Reet Linna, Peeter Vähi, the Port of Tallinn Choir and a choir singing in sign language in a special joint performance.
In addition, you will make several discoveries at the gala. For example, Jaak Juske, Aliis Hazlehurst Palo and Josef Kats will conduct guided tours showing the cultural diversity that can be found in Tallinn’s city centre. Members of dozens of national cultural societies will display their national costumes and enchant you with songs, dances and handicrafts. During the event, you will be able to sample from a culturally diverse menu.
The gala programme has been prepared in cooperation with the Integration Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, which is leading the Cultural Diversity Year, and the Estonian Centre of Folk Culture, the Estonian Union of National Minorities and the Union of National Cultural Associations “Lüüra” (“Lyre”).
This gala of cultural diversity will offer free group events on January 18, from 12 a.m. to 9 p.m. It will take place primarily at Viru Keskus, where the guided tours starting in Tallinn’s Old Town will end.
11.00 – 19.00 Cultural Diversity Handicrafts
In the atrium of Viru Keskus
Representatives of national cultural societies will offer the opportunity to get acquainted with and purchase unique handicrafts. Each item is crafted with love, carrying with it a centuries-old heritage.
12.00 – 13.30 Cultural Diversity Guided Tours
Starts in Tallinn’s Old Town and ends in Viru Keskus
Historians Jaak Juske (EST), Aliis Hazlehurst Palo (ENG) and Josef Kats (RUS) will tell you about the wealth of cultural diversity in the center of Tallinn. Registration opens on January 12. Up to 40 people can participate (up to 120 people in total).
12.00 – 14.00 Cultural Diversity Food Court
Viru Food Court
Culinary masters will offer the opportunity to dine in the Indian, Chinese, American, Korean, Italian, Japanese, Uzbek, Latin America and European traditions. At the same time, you will be enchanted by music from various musicians living in Estonia and brought together by the Estonian Union of National Minorities and the Union of National Cultural Associations “Lüüra” (“Lyre”).
14.00 – 15.55 Cultural Diversity Gala Concert
In the atrium of Viru Keskus
At the grand gala concert, Alika Milova, Ant Nurhan Uku Suviste and many other shining stars of the Estonian music scene will highlight the diversity of cultures. At the end, all the performers will join together with Reet Linna, Peeter Vähi, the Port of Tallinn Choir and a choir singing in sign language for a special joint performance. Between musical numbers, representatives of dozens of communities will dance and display their folk costumes.
The participants and guests of the gala concert will be greeted by the Minister of Culture Heidy Purga.
16.00 – 18.00 Cultural Diversity Disco
In the atrium of Viru Keskus
DJs from different parts of the world will captivate you with the rhythms they have created while living in Estonia. Needless to say, there will be dancing!
16.00 – 17.45 Debate: What is the legacy of the theme years?
The Rahva Raamat bookshop in Viru Keskus
At the initiative of the Ministry of Culture, key figures in cultural policy will summarize the practice and legacy of a quarter-century of theme years. The moderator of the discussion is Erle Loonurm, head of the ERR Culture Department.
18.00 – 19.00 Cultural Diversity Dance Class
In the atrium of Viru Keskus
The stars of the world of dance will teach you the steps from Estonian, Mediterranean, Latin and other dances so that you can enjoy the rhythms of different cultures and move with joy.
18.00 – 19.30 Presentation of books reflecting cultural diversity
The Rahva Raamat bookshop in Viru Keskus
Mare Kõiva, Nikolai Anisimov and other researchers of the Estonian Literary Museum present the books which will transport you to the world of your ancestors and provide worthy reading for future generations. Among the books presented, for example, is a unique collection “Literary café of Finno-Ugric peoples. New translations”. The first presentation will be held in Estonian, the second in Russian.
Rahva Raamat presents a sample of books reflecting cultural diversity.
18.00 – 21.00 Cultural Diversity Food Court
Viru Food Court
Culinary masters will offer the opportunity to dine in the Indian, Chinese, American, Korean, Italian, Japanese, Uzbek, Latin America and European traditions. At the same time, you will be enchanted by music from various musicians living in Estonia and brought together by the Association of Nationalities of Estonia and the Union of National Cultural Associations “Lüüra” (“Lyre”).
