Estonia's biggest sea and family party the Tallinn Maritime Days will take place this year for the 15th time on 14-16th July. This year's theme is "Meri on, meri jääb", which pays homage to Kihnu Virve, who left a deep mark on Estonian folk music and maritime folklore with her sea songs.
According to Tallinn Deputy Mayor Kaarel Oja, Tallinn Maritime Days is one of the most anticipated summer festivals in Estonia. "For the past 15 years, Maritime Days have played an important role in opening up and developing our city's seafront. This year, we are paying special attention to the area around Linnahalli, which is the last large unregenerate section of our waterfront between Old City Harbour and Noblessner," added Oja.
The Tallinn Maritime Days is a multi-faceted and lively sea festival with years of tradition. Both large and small visitors can take part in the festival life - guest ships arrive in the capital for exploration and bay cruises, sea taxis move between the ports, well-known Estonian artists perform, and there is a busy entertainment and sports program in the ports.
This year, there will be an exciting stage program, versatile maritime pastimes and food will be offered in three ports of the capital - Old City Harbour area, Seaplane Harbour and Noblessner Marina.
The UNESCO City of Music Tallinn offers special musical experiences on Maritime Days. For example, a concert dedicated to the musical heritage of Kihnu Virve will be held in the cruise area of Vanasadama on Sunday, July 16, starting at 2:00 p.m., where Kukerpillid, Untsakad, Järsumäe family ensemble, Tanel Padar, etc. will perform. The concert program will be put together by Virve's grandchildren from the Järsumäe family ensemble together with well-known Estonian musicians, the performance will include a selection of beloved tunes from Virve's hundreds of songs.
Tallinn is the green capital of Europe in 2023, and as part of this, a seaside promenade and a new leisure area will be opened in the cruise area of Old City Harbour. During this year, Tallinn Maritime Days also offer visitors plenty of sports activities: open sea swimming, beach volleys, SUP-board yoga, harbor orientation, etc. On the territory of the harbour, visitors can test themselves in mini-orienteering.
Traditionally, the festival also has a separate children's program for youngeer guests - on the three days of the festival, there are fun activities for children in the harbors of the capital. In addition, there is an annual Premia children's race, which is observed by the Garbage Wolf together with the pirates.
Tallinn Maritime Days will also feature historic and exciting watercraft that organize sea trips for festival visitors. In addition, there will be a sea-themed recording of the Ööülikool.
Estonia's largest maritime and family festival, Tallinn Maritime Days, began in 2008, when the city of Tallinn, the Port of Tallinn, the Estonian Maritime Museum and the Estonian Historical Ships Society joined forces for the first time to create access to the sea for the people of the city.