The Festival of Lights will fly visitors to the Moon
Be prepared to widen your horizons and explore new concepts at the Festival of Lights this autumn. The festival will share it`s 10th anniversary with you from the 30th September to the 5th of October.
The Festival of Lights will enlighten us with “Arrival” The overarching installation of light and sound transports us to space and lets us explore the vastness of it. It is supported by dance performances and music. Through the week there we will run a separate youth program.
The festival will bring together the different workshops, sessions of exploring the light and science behind it and intertwine them with cultural aspects.
This year we have expanded our program to the neighbouring parish of Kambja
Parish of Kambja
2025 will see a human step on a Moon once again. NASA project will see a woman on the southside of our Moon. Honouring and celebrating the curiosity of the human mind – will be reflected in “Touchdown”. The project that brings together the energy of descent and landing of the new NASA project Artemis 3.
This light and sound installation is a collaboration between Latvian partners Story Hub´And Those Guys of Lightning. It will be presented in Tartu Airport and grounds of Estonian Aviation Academy.
The Touchdown will be backed by a new creation by composer Taavi Tulev who will “melt” the industrial aviation sounds into the whole .
Tartu Airport and Estonian Aviation Academy are normally places of business but during our Festival of Lights the area will come to life to be explored by curious minds. “This project is not just a cultural pinnacle, it will draw attention and start conversations about Tartu as an important transport and cultural hub for neighbouring countries and European Union” states the principal organiser of the event Ingrid Hamer.
In addition to the above there will be a special workshop area for children. Aviation Academy is sharing their simulation pods so everyone will have an opportunity to practise their flight deck and touchtown skills.
Parish of Nõo
University of Tartu Observatory in Tõravere is organising a youth educational programme to showcase career opportunities in the space industry. Project “Beyond” is a collaboration between University of Tartu and Space Centre (Observatory) and ESERO. Ten workshops will be delivered by scientists and business owners, true experts in the field. The workshops will introduce exciting opportunities in the space industry and engeneering. Astronomy and space are enticing subjects that can bring children and youth closer to science.
An example of the workshop will utilise a computer game called Kerbal Space, where you can build a launcher which will be sent to orbit and measure the distances between far-far away objects using parallax method. Students can “bake” a comet and plan a mission “Comet Flyby”.
Throughout the workshops the main theme will continue to be the mission to the Moon – Artemis. Workshops will take place 2nd and 3rd of October 10.00-12.00 and 13.00-15.00.
Festival´s youth program will also see dance performances by Dance Studio “Triiniks” and “Just” Dance School. Performances are choreographed by alumni of Danish Ollerup Sports Academy and will take place in Tõravere on the 3rd of October at 15.00 and 17.00.
5th of October
Throughout the evening there will be Live Fire area in Nõo.
Estonian Evangelical Lutheran The Saint Laurentius Church will host pianist Lauri Väinmaa at 19.00.
Festival will be concluded by 2 dance performances on the 5th of October. “Floating” is the open air dance performance by Külli Roosna and Kenneth Flak. The piece will endeavour to intertwine art, science and technology. Performances at 20.00 and 21.00.
Festival of Lights is aiming to bring light to one of the darkest parts of the year.
You, yes you! Be part of the festival and bring your home and gardens to life. Decorate the communities with elements of lights and space and bring the generations together to celebrate the curiosity of the human mind.
Festival of Lights is on it`s 10th anniversary and it is part of Tartu 2024 The European Capital of Culture programme. Find us on our Facebook and Instagram to discover more detail and wonderful surprises.