Electronic music and art combine at the Unda Festival in Tartu

Text Mark Taylor
Photo Andrei Chertkov

The Unda Festival will take place from today, September 19 to 21 in Tartu. The festival, which is part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 programme, focuses on club culture, human connection, and the role of dance. It will feature music performances, art installations, and discussions that address topics such as the relationship between people, nature, and communal gatherings.

Musically, the festival will offer performances from a range of artists, including DJs such as Blake Baxter, Bloody Mary, and Call Super, along with local and international performers. The event will have multiple stages and dance floors that will be open throughout the night.

In addition to music, the festival will feature art installations and exhibitions. These include “Who Claims the Night?”, an exploration of the cultural significance of nighttime life in Estonia. Video installations such as “Beans and Plantain” combine humour and reflection to explore self-discovery, while highlighting the artist’s experience in a world hostile to black identity. Another piece, “Mirelight,” is set in Soomaa National Park and blends natural history, science fiction, and folklore to examine the blurred boundaries between humans and the natural world.

The festival also includes a series of discussions and workshops led by figures such as Dimitri Hegemann, the founder of the Tresor nightclub in Berlin, and Irvine Welsh, author of “Trainspotting”. Topics will include the impact of club culture on social structures, the relationship between Estonian cultural traditions and modern club gatherings, and the future of the clubbing scene.

Workshops will cover topics such as running a nightclub, the social impact of nightlife spaces, and the development of inclusive and sustainable environments. The festival will conclude with an afterparty on Sunday, featuring a sauna and a venue set on the water.

More information about the event is available on the Unda Festival official website.

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Club Culture Estonia Electronic Music ERM Events in Estonia Events In Tartu Nightlife Estonia Tartu 2024 Unda Festival