Old Estonians were clever, clever people. They knew that dancing had a powerful and magical influence on the surrounding world. The fact has been kept in mind throughout the centuries and folk dancers in Tartu and Tartu County are especially unstoppable. They gather – in fact more than 500 of them – in the middle of sometimes freezing Estonian winter right on the slippery cobbles of Tartu Town Hall Square where the audience`s world cannot escape the magic either.
Come and see and perhaps even participate (if you so wish!) in some of the most loved Estonian folk dances! A great backdrop to the event is always conveniently provided by Christmas City Tartu – a very special meeting place right on Town Hall Square of Tartu that is always worth the visit.
All this will again be the case on 14 December 2019 at 1 p.m. when dancers from Tartu and Tartu County and guests from Latvia perform Estonian folk dances and simple group dances right in the heart of Tartu. This year`s repertoire only includes dancers` favourites, so we gather it will be a blast.
Live music is playing and the band is formed by the one and only Tiit Kikas (violin) and Cätlin Mägi (bagpipes, Jew`s harp, well basically you name it!).
Dancers will normally have lifted your spirits up to a point where you don`t wish to depart them, so do follow them to Gunpowder Cellar where the folk dance party continues at 2.30 p.m. and oh joy, now inside this ancient and truly magnificent building. Two very lovely gentlemen, brothers Matis and Laurits Leima will take good care of the live music there and of your high spirits with their violins, guitars and button accordions.
All this is a must and this year it conveniently so happens that Tartu will also host annual Christmas fair in the city centre (Küüni Str) on 14 December from 11 a.m. til 4 p.m.
If you wish to prepare yourself by the help of Youtube for all the awesomeness:
“Kägara“ – Wintry Tarty Folk Dance Day 2016
Wintry Tartu Folk Dance Day 2018
Also, hop over to this gallery from 2018.
