Tallinn - Europe’s Capital of Culture
Throughout 2011, the 20th anniversary since independence from Soviet rule, the Estonian capital of Tallinn will be hosting daily art, music, literature and cultural exhibitions, festivals and performances as the city takes on the role of European Capital of Culture, 2011.
During the year 251 different events are planned, with one large festival each month, such as the Jazzkaar jazz festival in April, Tallinn Old Town Days in June, the Youth Song and Dance Celebration and Tallinn Maritime Days in July, the Birgitta Festival for opera in August and the Black Nights Film Festival in November.
This is the largest cultural event in the history of Estonia and will attract some of the world’s biggest names in art, literature, music, film and culture.
Estonia Tourst Board’s director, Tarmo Mutso, said “The city is going to be buzzing every day as visitors, performers and venues make the most of Tallinn’s role as Capital of Culture. This is a fantastic time to be in Tallinn. The city’s hotels and event organisers have responded admirably to the challenges presented by being the cultural capital with high quality hotel packages and some world class events."
He continued “Tallinn’s hotels are mostly 3* - 5* and on a par with the top hotels in Scandinavia, while rates are around 30% less than most mainstream European destinations. Coupled a new direct Ryan Air flight from Ireland starting on 14th December we very much look forward to welcoming Irish visitors in higher numbers than ever before".
Tallinn has chosen for its Capital of Culture theme `Stories of the Seashore’, to tell the story of Tallinn and Estonia’s spiritual and cultural associations with the sea-shore, as the city continues to re-open to the once heavily fortified coastline.
As part of the seashore development the new Estonia Maritime Museum will open in July 2011 in vast, renovated concrete sea-plane hangars, located on the coast to the west of Tallinn centre. The route to the museum will be along a specially marked walkway, enabling visitors to walk the one kilometre route from the city to the Maritime Museum.
Ahead of 2011 key events include the 23rd European Film Awards, attended by European film makers, EFA Members, nominees and winners, in December 2010, and the opening ceremony of the European Capital of Culture on 31st December 2010, when a full day of events is topped by celebrations late into the night as the city welcomes in 2011.
A full programme of events has been scheduled and information about the daily events in the city can be found at tallinn2011.ee with a 'What? When? Where?’ event planner and search engine to help visitors plan the date and itinerary of their visit to Tallinn.
Tallinn is easily accessible from the UK and Ireland:-
Twice daily flights from Gatwick with Estonian Air, estonianair.com
Six times weekly flights from Stansted with easyJet
New three times weekly flights from Liverpool with easyJet, starting in April 2011
New flights from Luton, Dublin and Edinburgh with Ryan Air, starting in December 2010 and January 2011
