9.2.2024 | Estonia

Viljandi Lights festival begins today

Text Mark Taylor
Photos Kerttu Kruusla

This weekend, the city of Viljandi will see the return of the much-anticipated annual visual arts festival, Viljandi Tuled (Viljandi Lights in English). Between February 9 and 11th, the city will transform into a vibrant hub of creativity, hosting an array of installations, events, and performances that celebrate architecture, light, sound, and multimedia.

Inspired by the creative ethos of Tartu 2024‘s “Arts of Survival”, domestic and international artists will breathe new life into Viljandi’s urban spaces, reimagining abandoned locations and inviting visitors to engage with their surroundings in novel ways.

The festival’s opening event, curated by Viljandi Tuled team, promises an electrifying start, featuring performances by acclaimed artists like Maiduk, Uku Masin, and Shnsho. Throughout the festival, visitors can explore installations across the city, including the captivating installation “Ouroros” in Freedom Square, which will remain on display until February 25.

You can find out more about the festival, including the full programme of events (some of which are paid), on their official website.