Latvian Days in Tartu 2026

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Description

The Tartu Latvian Society invites everyone to join the Latvian Days in Tartu from 11 to 18 November. Throughout the week, visitors will have the opportunity to meet Latvian writers and artists, take part in discussions, exhibition openings and guided tours, and experience the vibrant presence of Latvian culture in Tartu. This year, we are also collaborating with Tartu Folk Festival.

11 November, 16:00 – Gather at Uus-Jaani Cemetery for a moment of remembrance on Lāčplēsis Day.

12 November, 18:30 – The Tartu Latvian Book Club will host an evening of conversation with the author of the novel Velled Aldis Bukšs at Biblioteek Bookshop. The discussion will be held in English.

13 November, 17:30 – The guided tour In Search of Latvian Traces in Tartu will take participants on a journey through the city’s history and cultural heritage.

18:00 – As part of the 11th Tartu Folk Festival, a community celebration will take place in Luunja. The Skandinieki folk ensemble will perform and teach traditional dances at the Luunja Cultural and Leisure Centre.

14 November, 10:00–16:00 – The 5th Estonian-Latvian Translators’ Seminar will take place at the University of Tartu’s Institute of World Languages and Cultures (Lossi 3). The seminar brings together interpreters and translators to discuss interpreting. Advance registration is required.

11:00–14:00 – As part of the 11th Tartu Folk Festival, free public workshops will be held at the Estonian Literary Museum, where Skandinieki and Julgī Stalte will introduce Livonian songs.

16:00–01:00 – Skandinieki will perform at the Vanemuine Traditional Music Festival at Tartu Concert Hall. Tickets are required.

16:15–17:00 – A free guided tour in Latvian of the exhibition [‘mɔbil] will take place in Latvian at the Tartu Art Museum, also known as the Leaning House.

15 November, 11:00 – The Estonian National Museum will host the guided tour Latvian-Estonian Connections.

12:00–14:00 – As part of the 11th Tartu Folk Festival’s closing concert at the Estonian National Museum, Skandinieki will perform and introduce their home region.

14:00–15:00 – The University of Tartu Museum will host a concert titled I Come from a Small Nation, featuring Ziemeļu Balsis, a Latvian choir based in Estonia, and Piebalga, the choir of Vecpiebalga Primary School.

17 November, 11:00 – Daila Ozola and Contra will discuss children’s and young adult literature in the third-floor hall of Tartu City Library. At 18:00 – Ilze Talberga will talk with Contra about the topic Is There Literature in Latvia Besides Lāčplēsis? Music will be provided by the Henri Lay Trio.

17:00 – An exhibition by Estonian-Latvian artist Agnes Veinberg will open in the staircase gallery of the University of Tartu’s Institute of World Languages and Cultures (Lossi 3). The paintings intertwine human figures with abstract compositions of colour and form.

18 November, 18:00 – Join us at Drinkgeld bar to celebrate Latvia’s Independence Day! We will put the sharpest minds to the test with a quiz about Latvia with touch of Estonia. Sing with us the Latvian national anthem and listen to the President’s address, and enjoy music by LEJA (Latvian Estonian Jazz Association). Admission is by donation.

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