Winter trails in Emajõe-Suursoo Keskus: 4 – 10 February 2024
- More information: facebook.com…
The Winter Trails in Emajõe-Suursoo Wetlands takes the seeker of a special natural experience to the frozen marsh trails to experience the heritage and soundscapes in three different places: Varnja, Ahunapalu and Emajõe-Suursoo Keskus. During three weeks in the middle of the darkest and coldest Estonian winter, guided hiking tours, movie nights, meetings with historians and writers, concerts and an exhibition programm will be held.
The festival moves week by week from one special point of the Emajõe-Suursoo to another, like a row across a frozen marsh. The Winter Trailss Festival at the Emajõe-Suursoo center takes place at the end of the festival period: February 4th to February 10th, 2024.
Starting from today’s center, which used to be a fortress and later a tavern, several winter trails began. From our program, you’ll find both skiing and snowshoeing trips on the winter trails, an exhibition with emotionally resonant content by Peeter Laurits, a discussion circle with Valdo Praust and Sven Začek, and a documentary film program. The culmination of the festival, however, is the concert by Mick Pedaja and a marsh disco featuring warm sets by DJs Arto (Radio IDA) and DJ Kevin Park.
The collaboration project of Luunja, Kastre, and Peipsiääre municipalities is part of the South Estonian community program taking place with the support of Leader action groups, which is a part of the main program of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024. The program at the Emajõe-Suursoo center is managed and organized by Luunja Cultural and Leisure Center.
Ticket sales will open in December. The number of spots for hikes, film screenings, and concerts is limited!
The festival is weather-dependent, and the organizers reserve the right to make changes to the program.
Winter is here – come to the Winter Trails Festival!
FEBRUARY 4, SUNDAY
12:00 Opening of the winter trails outdoor exhibition at the Emajõe-Suursoo Center
Discussion between Valdo Praust and Sven Začek about the past and present of the winter trials
13:00 Ski hike on the winter trials, all interested are welcome
Café open
FEBRUARY 9, FRIDAY
18:00 A White Dream (France, 2023)
Language: English French, subtitles: Estonian
Nature photographer Jérémie Villet, a lover of cold environments, travels through the white landscapes of the northern hemisphere with his sled and telephoto lens, searching for animals that live in these extreme cold conditions. On his expedition in the northern parts of Canada, Jérémie plans to explore the wild and extreme Yukon region with the goal of photographing the legendary mountain goat. However, the freezing temperatures and hard-to-reach mountainous areas where this animal moves make the task challenging.
Original Title: Yukon, Un Rêve Blanc
19:00 Opening of Peeter Laurits’ exhibition “Biotope – Parliament of Life Forms”
Peeter Laurits provides instructions for viewing the exhibition to achieve the best dialogue: “It has become clear that if people don’t start considering the interests of other life forms, our party may be short-lived. Other participants must also be invited to the negotiation table. But how to do that when other life forms perceive, think, and express themselves completely differently from us? The Earth is populated by a huge variety of consciousnesses.”
In his work, Laurits deals with the fundamental questions of being human and the associated paradoxes, the issues of the biosphere, and relationships with other life forms. He collaborates with many creators across fields and generations, both in Estonia and internationally. At the Emajõe-Suursoo Center, works from the years 2003 to 2022 are exhibited. The exhibition will remain open until July 21, 2024, on Sundays from 12 PM to 4 PM, and at other times by appointment. More information on the center’s website.
20:00 Great Bog (Estonia 2022)
Documentary film
Thirty years ago, Vello moved to the furthest marsh island in Emajõe-Suursoo. He left his previous working life and city life to live in harmony with Mother Nature. In Emajõe-Suursoo, there is still nature that is disappearing from the rest of the world. The immense deltaic marshland allows creatures to live independently, without significant human interference, although humans have sought refuge and additional food in this marsh for millennia. Vello supports himself through beekeeping and hunting, and his life flows in rhythm with nature.
Director of Photography: Remek Meel, Producer: Riho Västrik.
21:00 Bear Hunt in Pärnumaa, DJ Arto
Estonia’s first feature film shot by Johannes Pääsuke depicts a failed bear hunt, a political satire inspired by the actual conflict between Pärnu Mayor Oskar Brackmann and journalist Jaan Karu, against the broader backdrop of the election struggle between Estonians and Baltic Germans in the Pärnu City Council. Viewers familiar with current events immediately understood that the film didn’t portray a hunt for some mystical bear in the forests of Vändra but rather a very specific Jaan Karu, the editor of Pärnu Postimees and an enthusiastic supporter of the Estonian Independence Party.
Arto – Co-author of the event series and the eponymous IDA radio show HELIOS, whose style has consistently provided surprises to both new and seasoned club-goers. Drawing inspiration from a wide music spectrum, his sets encompass early techno, naive minimalism from the mid-2000s, and futuristic electro. Elegant yet otherworldly, consistent yet surprising – an unwaveringly dedicated DJ whose unique approach has made him a frequent guest in the alternative clubs of the capital.
Meeli Café is open where you can buy warm food and drinks.
FEBRUARY 10, SATURDAY
11:00-16:00 Ski hike on the winter trails, all interested are welcome
17:00 Emajõe-Suursoo Center and cafes open
19:00 Mick Pedaja concert and marsh disco, DJs Arto and Kevin Park
Mick Pedaja’s musical journey has taken him from a school basement punk band to large stages. Like most Estonian kids, Pedaja sang in the school choir, but he also took additional singing lessons and learned to play the guitar. Pedaja’s music has gradually moved from loud and noisy to quieter tones. As a composer, he has developed a preference for a blend of ambient, acoustic folk, and melodic electronic music. Pedaja has created music for various films and series, such as Martti Helde’s film “Scandinavian Silence” (2019). He has also collaborated on projects and films with director Ergo Kuld, such as “Winter / What a Heart Says,” “Traitor,” “On the Front Line,” “In Light & Shadow,” and his music is featured in the film “Marsh”. Additionally, Pedaja has performed in concerts with Kristjan Järv and various orchestras (Baltic Sea Philharmonic, among others).
DJ Kevin Park, also known as Bobek, is an adventurer from Pärnu who navigates through the music world in his own eclectic way. He loves sailing across the genre sea in his eclectic boat. Former host of several Raadio 2 shows such as Parkla, Balti Jaam, Kaabel, and Hingetõmme from 2018 to 2022. Released two albums under the alias Bobek: “Facts” (2020) and “About Humanity” (2021).
DJ Arto – co-author of the event series and the eponymous IDA radio show HELIOS, whose style has consistently provided surprises to both new and seasoned club-goers. Drawing inspiration from a wide music spectrum, his sets encompass early techno, naive minimalism from the mid-2000s, and futuristic electro. Elegant yet otherworldly, consistent yet surprising – an unwaveringly dedicated DJ whose unique approach has made him a frequent guest in the alternative clubs of the capital.