AiduFest in Ida-Viru County
Text Stewart Johnson Photo Andrei Chertkov
A former oil shale quarry has been converted into one of Estonia’s many hidden gems. Aidu, in Ida-Viru County, just around the corner from the towns of Kiviõli and Kohtla-Järve, boasts a two-kilometre long channel that is used for several athletic events each year, and is also home to a seasonally open water centre. The Aidu Water Adventure Centre—Aidu Veeseikluskeskus in Estonian—is hosting the first AiduFest on 6 September.
AiduFest will be an absolutely unique location for a festival, simply due to its history and location. The event will start with standup paddleboarding, or SUP, and a boat parade immediately following. There will be competitions on the water, which include hydrocycles, also known as water bicycles, and will be hosted by former Olympic bronze medalist Kaspar Taimsoo.
Musical performances by Susanna Aleksandra & Titoks, and Estonian superstar Tõnis Mägi and Estraadiraadio, will be featured during the festival. DJ Mike Sun will hit the decks with his retro music programme, and visitors can enjoy a spectacular fire show on the water.
Naturally there will be loads of food and beverage available on site, and there is a children’s area as well, so AiduFest is an event for the whole family.
In addition to AiduFest, visitors are free to explore the entirety of the Aidu quarry. Due to the remnants of industrial mining, there are several artificial hills and other channels of water to explore. If you time it right, you can get absolutely spectacular photos of the sunset. Depending on the weather of course.
The full programme is available here, as well as information about how to get there by car or bus.
To learn more about this and similar topicsAidu AiduFest events in Ida-Virumaa Festival Ida-Viru County music Tõnis Mägi
