Which Festival?” Juu Jääb

Text Stewart Johnson

Photo Kaupo Kikkas

Sofia Rubina

What in tiny Estonia is bigger than the country itself? Estonians’ love of summer festivals! Summer isn’t long here, so Estonians make the most of it. The Song and Dance Celebration unites the entire country every five years, but after that, all the various regions of the country have their own festivals. It’s simply not possible to attend them all, as they frequently fall on the same dates. Perhaps it’s the government’s fault for not adding more weekends to the month of July? Our “Which Festival?” series at Baltic Guide will help you choose which festival is for you.

Juu Jääb is a music festival on the island of Muhu that has a history stretching back 29 years, which is rather impressive for such a small and remote area. Nestled between the island of Saaremaa and the mainland, anyone who has ever driven to Kuressaare has passed through Muhu when the ferry docks. But Muhu is so much more than just a drive-through island.

The Juu Jääb Festival features international and local artists of all genres of music. Even Sofia Rubina and Estonian Funk Unit will perform. The concerts will be held at various venues, such as the fabulous Pädaste Manor, the Muhu St Catherine’s Church, and mostly at the Muhu Music Farm, or Muhu Muusikatalu in Estonian.

Delicious food both for the mind and the mouth will be available to festival-goers during the concerts and dinners. Getting to Muhu is very easy: just take a ferry. Leaving Muhu is what is most difficult, as you simply won’t want to. Juu Jääb is a bilingual portmanteau meaning “You’ll Stay”.

The complete programme for Juu Jääb, as well as information about accommodation, is available here.

While you’re on the island, be sure to visit the Muhu Museum, which gives a full example of what life on the island was like, and is like today. The village of Liiva, in the centre of the island, also offers great restaurants and street food.

To learn more about this and similar topics
Concerts Events in Estonia Muhu Museum Music Festival Sofia Rubina