“One city, two countries” – that’s how Valga’s slogan reads. But how does this border city actually live and breathe?

The Through the City cityscape performance began its journey through the vibrant neighbourhoods of the European Culture Capital of Tartu, with the aim of reaching Estonia’s Southern border by October 2024.

Meanwhile, experts of Latvian applied theatre joined forces with a creative team from Estonia to tell the story of both cities and their inhabitants. This is how the Through the City: Valga+Valka cityscape performance with local residents came to be. The task of the audience is very simple: just wear appropriate clothing to suit the weather and embark on an adventure with our actors to fully experience the uniqueness of Valga+Valka. 

Discover the twin cities on the border of Estonia-Latvia! Only six theatre performances in Valga+Valka. The theatrical play in the city will take place on foot and by riding the bus. 

The audience will be led through town squares and the song festival grounds, on the streets and in theatres, through public halls and secret back alleys. 

From Valga to Valka and Valka to Valga. We will let both sides of the city introduce themselves through three special locations. Let’s make two hearts beat to the same beat!

LÄBI LINNA: Valga+Valka

• Show starts at 19:00-21:00

• 4th-6th of October and 10th-12th of October 2024, at 19:00-21:00.

• The Estonian-spoken route starts from Valga (Julius Kuperjanovi 65, Valga, Estonia). Latvian-spoken route starts from Valka side of the city (Rīgas iela 64, Valka, Latvia).

THROUGH THE CITY: Valga+Valka

After four years in Tartu, the cityscape performance of LÄBI LINNA has reached the twin cities of Valga+Valka. The performance journey will be led by professional actors, with the participation of nearly a hundred locals. 

What connects Estonia and Latvia? Apart from the River Pedel, the former Livonian lands and the tradition of Midsummer’s Eve. Or that Estonian Kalevipoeg fought in the Latvian epos “Lāčplēsis”.

How come Estonian and Latvian cultures share so much in common, while language has remained a complete mystery? Are Valga and Valka places where one can only speak in body language?

A bilingual travelling show in the twin cities is a collaboration project between Estonia and Latvia. Led by Estonian director Jaanika Tammaru (LÄBI LINNA) and Latvian dramaturg Edgars Niklasons (Fonds Initium).

HOW-TO-GET THERE

The performance in Estonian will start at the Valga War of Independence Monument (at the cross of Rahu Street and Kuperjanov Street, in the City Park, opposite Hotel “Metsis”). The starting point is a 15-minute walk, about 1 km, from Valga train or bus station. 

Please be there 10 minutes before the play starts to avoid being left behind. The cityscape performance through Valga+Valka will take about 2 hours. Main part of the tour will be by bus.

Dress for the weather, and wear comfortable shoes. Small children are welcome to participate in their parent’s lap or their own feet. At the end of the performance, we will return to the starting point of the tour.

We recommend coming on foot, by bike, train or bus. Parking spots for all kinds of vehicles are available in the Valga railway station building or near Valga Park.

When coming by car, we invite you to share a ride! Hail a ride at LÄBI LINNA’s Facebook page.

OUR STORY

Is it your 1st time coming to such a play? This urban space project has been running for over four years, exploring stories from Tartu’s districts of Karlova, Supilinn, Ülejõe and Annelinn.

LÄBI LINNA (“Through the City”) is a travelling theatrical performance. It takes place in the form of a journey. The audience is led by actors and performers, surrounded by the magical world created for this night only. The exact route and final destination remain a secret.

Collecting local oral traditions has always been an important part of making the LÄBI LINNA. That way the play reflects the stories of people who live there.

PEOPLE BEHIND IT

Valga+Valka edition is directed by Jaanika Tammaru (Estonia) and dramaturg Edgars Niklasons (Latvia). The art director is Inga Vares. The lighting designer is Karolin Tamm and the composer is Vija Moore (Latvia-Australia). Ingūna Johansone mediated the Valka stories and Merili Viks was the mediator of Valga stories. Valga+Valka travelling performance is produced by Ieva Niedre (Latvia).

Professional actors playing on the streets of Valga+Valka: Agur Seim, Mariann Tammaru, Elīna Bojarkina, Artūrs Putniņš, Anastasija Džordževiča. 

Many dozens of locals join along, too! Musicians and dancers from Valka House of Culture: the men’s ensemble “Lai skan” led by Inese Niklaviča’s and Latvian folk ensemble “Nāburgi” under the direction of Mārīte Magone, from the dance studio “Joy” by Marina Jerjomina and the choir RÕÕM conducted by Lenel Rand.

Some of the people behind the production: are Grete Podnieks, Lissa-Anna Lender, Ilga Valodze-Abele, Henry Griin, Martin Sookael, Evelina Nõmme and many others. Thanks for all the support: Valga Cultural Centre, Valka Cultural Centre, Siiri Põldsaar, Hardo Adamson, MTÜ Rockiklubi and Ivo Mannine, Monika Rogenbaum, Valga Municipality, Valga Sauna, Valga Sports Hall, Valka Local Museum, Valga Extreme Sports Hall. 

Thank you to everyone who shared the stories of Valga and Valka!

Valga+Valka theatre production is a collaboration between Estonian LÄBI LINNA and the Latvian non-profit organisation Fonds INITIUM, made with the support of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and partly financed by Creative Europe. We are part of the Baltic Applied Theatre School (BATS) network.

THROUGH THE CITY is a part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 main programme, supported by the South-Estonia Community Programme and LEADER Action Groups. 

Tartu 2024 is supported by A. Le Coq, Delfi Media, Topauto and Lux Express.

Date: 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12 October 2024

Location: Valga town, Valga county and twin city Valka (Latvia)

More information: piletilevi.ee…, bilesuparadize.lv… (Latvian)

Social media: facebook, instagram

Contact: Jaanika Tammaru, jaanika.tammaru@gmail.com,
+372 5564 6954