On Saturday, 18 January, the theme year, which began a year ago and is dedicated to all the residents of Estonia – the Cultural Diversity Year – will come to an end. For this occasion, we invite everyone to the Cultural Diversity Gala, which will be held at Viru Keskus in the heart of Tallinn in cooperation with Estonian and other national communities from all over Estonia.
The gala offers unique experiences and exciting discoveries, through which we will celebrate our cultural diversity. The programme which is planned for between 12 a.m. and 9 p.m., can be attended free of charge with your loved ones. The most meaningful is the gala concert starting at 2 p.m.:
11.00 – 19.00 Cultural Diversity Handicrafts
In the atrium of Viru Keskus
Representatives of national cultural societies will offer the opportunity to get acquainted with and purchase unique handicrafts. Each item is crafted with love, carrying with it a centuries-old heritage.
12.00 – 13.30 Cultural Diversity Guided Tours
Starts in Tallinn's Old Town and ends in Viru Keskus
Historians Jaak Juske (EST), Aliis Hazlehurst Palo (ENG) and Josef Kats (RUS) will tell you about the wealth of cultural diversity in the center of Tallinn. Up to 40 people can participate (up to 120 people in total).
Meeting Point: In front of St. Olaf’s Church main entrance, Lai Street at 12:00 p.m. Participants should arrive 10–15 minutes earlier to collect their radio guide set and provide a signature to confirm receipt. End Point: Viru Keskus at 1:30 p.m., followed by a break and the gala concert at 2:00 p.m.
Important Information: The weather forecast suggests around 0°C, cloudy, and humid. Please dress warmly for the 1.5-hour tour. Registration is required to provide each participant with a radio guide set. Participation and the use of radio guides are free.
Please register by 16 January 4:00 p.m. at the latest: https://forms.gle/2TKkaYoVXofARTzbA.
12.00 – 14.00 Cultural Diversity Lunch Concerts
Viru Food Court
Culinary masters will offer the opportunity to dine in the Indian, Chinese, American, Korean, Italian, Japanese, Uzbek, Latin America and European traditions. At the same time, you will be enchanted by music from various musicians living in Estonia and brought together by the Estonian Union of National Minorities and the Union of National Cultural Associations “Lüüra” (“Lyre”).
14.00 – 15.55 Cultural Diversity Gala Concert
In the atrium of Viru Keskus
At the grand gala concert, Alika Milova, Ant Nurhan Uku Suviste, Rute ja Ruslan Trochynskyi and many other shining stars of the Estonian music scene will highlight the diversity of cultures. At the end, all the performers will join together with Reet Linna, Peeter Vähi and the Port of Tallinn Choir. Between musical numbers, representatives of dozens of communities will dance and display their folk costumes. Ženja Fokin will contribute to the success of the unique concert as the host.
The participants and guests of the gala concert will be greeted by the Minister of Culture Heidy Purga.
Gala Concert programme:
13.30 Neemo Saareväli
13.55 Korean ensemble Arirang.
14.00 Opening remarks by moderator Ženja Fokin
14.02 Welcome speech by Heidy Purga, Minister of Culture.
14.07 Welcoming speech by Dmitri Moskovtsev, Director of the Integration Foundation
14.10 Estonian Nationalities Association, Estonian Folk Culture Centre, RRÜL Lüüra cooperation agreement signing ceremony
14.15 LED show
14.22 Mexican Stephanie Rendon + Alika Milova band
14.26 Estonian Folk Arts and Crafts Association fashion show
14.30 Mixed dance group Tammed and Toomed
14.36 Milana Fayzullova + Uku Suviste
14.42 RRÜL Lüüra + Maštots" Armenian Sunday School fashion show
14.52 Alika Milova and band + Uku Suviste, Ant Nurhan
15.37 Estonian Commonwealth of Nationalities + Union of Ingerisooms fashion fashion show
15.41 Dance studio Graatsia
15.45 Estonian Congress of Ukrainians and Narva Polish Society fashion show
15.49 Ruslan (trombone) & Rute (violins) Trochynskyi
16.03 Alika band, Alika, Peeter Vähi, Reet Linna, Ant Nurhan, Uku Suviste, Ruslan and Rute Trochynskyi, Milana Fayzullova and Tallinn Harbour Mixed Choir singing together.
16.00 – 18.00 Cultural Diversity Disco
In the atrium of Viru Keskus
DJs from different parts of the world will captivate you with the rhythms they have created while living in Estonia. Needless to say, there will be dancing!
16.00 – 17.45 Debate: What is the legacy of the theme years?
The Rahva Raamat bookshop in Viru Keskus
At the initiative of the Ministry of Culture, key figures in cultural policy will summarize the practice and legacy of a quarter-century of theme years. The moderator of the discussion is Erle Loonurm, head of the ERR Culture Department.
18.00 – 19.00 Cultural Diversity Dance Class
In the atrium of Viru Keskus
The stars of the world of dance will teach you the steps from Estonian, Mediterranean, Latin and other dances so that you can enjoy the rhythms of different cultures and move with joy.
18.00 – 19.30 Presentation of books reflecting cultural diversity
The Rahva Raamat bookshop in Viru Keskus
Researchers of the Estonian Literature Museum Mare Kõiva, Nikolai Anisimov, Nikolai Kuznetsov and Sergey Troitsky present the books which will transport you to the world of your ancestors and provide worthy reading for future generations. Among the books presented, for example, is a unique collection "Literary café of Finno-Ugric peoples New translations" and a special issue of Mäetagused magazine dedicated to the Udmurts. The presentations will be held in Estonian and Russian.
Rahva Raamat presents a sample of books reflecting cultural diversity.
18.00 – 21.00 Cultural Diversity Evening Concerts
Viru Food Court
Culinary masters will offer the opportunity to dine in the Indian, Chinese, American, Korean, Italian, Japanese, Uzbek, Latin America and European traditions. At the same time, you will be enchanted by music from various musicians living in Estonia and brought together by the Association of Nationalities of Estonia and the Union of National Cultural Associations “Lüüra” (“Lyre”).
Please consider
If possible, come in folk costumes or enhance your outfit with themed accessories to further highlight our cultural diversity.
Viru Keskus is accessible to people with limited mobility. During the day, sign language interpreters will provide support as needed.
More information
You can read about the idea of the Cultural Diversity Gala at this link. You can find the event on social media at this link.
For more detailed queries, please contact the Cultural Diversity Year working group: e-mail 2024@integratsioon.ee, tel. 58162318.
