Tallinn Maritime Days 2023 - program out now!

Today, Estonia’s largest maritime and family event published its programme. From 14-16 July, three of the capital’s ports (Vanasadam cruise area, Lennusadam and Noblessner harbour campus) will be hosting a densely packed cultural programme and many maritime activities.

According to Tallinn Deputy Mayor Kaarel Oja, the programme for this year’s maritime days is more diverse than that of previous years, since greater emphasis has been placed on activities taking place at sea, along with the addition of a densely packed sports programme. “The maritime days have opened Tallinn up to the sea once more, with their years of tradition, and now the moment has come for us to expand our activities ever further out to sea. We have placed great emphasis on that this year. As a result, a sea parade, a regatta, concerts, divers cleaning the seafloor as well as sports competitions are all a part of this year’s programme,” said Oja.

The Tallinn Maritime Days are a multi-faceted and entertaining maritime festival with years of tradition. This year’s theme is “The sea is, the sea remains”, which serves as a tribute to Kihnu Virve, who left her mark on Estonian folk music and maritime folklore with her song about the sea. Taking part in the festivities are guests both large and small: arriving in the capital are guest ships, allowing people to explore and take part in rides across the bay, ferrying people between harbours is a sea taxi, performing are famous Estonian artists, and all of the harbours are hosting a densely packed experience and sports programme.

Tallinn, as a UNESCO City of Music, is offering special music experiences during the maritime days. For example, taking place is the Kihnu Virve sea songs concert, where you can see Kukerpillid, Untsakad, Järsumäe pereansambel, Audru Jõelaevanduse Punt and Olavi Kõrre. A selection of beloved tunes from Virve’s hundreds of songs will be performed. Among others, Gameboy Tetris & Friends, Clicherik & Mäxi and Villemdrillem, Kõrsikud, Liis Lemsalu and band, Jarek Kasar, ensemble Põhja-Tallinn, Jüri Pootsmann, Elephants from Neptune, Ines, Sofia Rubina, Ellip, Inger, Minimal Wind, Terminaator, Metsatöll, Tallinn Police Orchestra and many others will be performing at the harbours.

As Tallinn is the European Green Capital 2023, greater attention is directed towards sustainability and longevity. During this year’s maritime days, all markets and food courts of the festival will use reusable tableware. Guests can also find a trash-diving attraction as part of the green programme, which involves cleaning the bottom of the Noblessner aquatorium.

A thoroughly renovated sea promenade together with a gorgeous maritime-themed sculpture awaits visitors at the Noblessner harbour campus. The sculpture “Lessner’s Screw” is an authentic ship propeller manufactured at the Alstom Power Elblag factory out of bronze. Nothing like it can be found anywhere else in Estonia or its neighbouring countries. The screw is nearly 7.5 metres across and weighs 33 tonnes, symbolising the 106-year-long period of ship manufacturing at Noblessner.

As part of the Year of Movement, the maritime days are offering sporting activities for guests. Taking place in Pirita is the open water swimming challenge; at Lennusadam, the Ghetto Games. Additionally, guests can challenge themselves with mini-orienteering on the Lennusadam territory.

As is tradition, the festival features a separate children’s programme for smaller visitors. Taking place during the three festival days are various entertaining activities for children. For example, the yearly Premia children’s race is being watched closely by the Prügihunt and pirates, and the Laulupesa kids, OmaTsirkus and Kolm Põrsakest are performing.

The Tallinn Maritime Days began in 2008, when the City of Tallinn, the Tallinn Harbour, the Estonian Maritime Museum and the Estonian Historical Ship Association joined forces for the first time to give city residents access to the sea.

The maritime days programme can be found here: https://www.tallinnamerepaevad.ee/programm.