Tartu 2024 will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Estonia’s participation in Eurovision with an exciting concert performance and a joint kiss

On Saturday, May 18, 2024, the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Estonia’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest with an impressive concert performance “Kissing Tartu”, which will end in accordance with spring and holidays – with a symbolic joint kiss in the town hall square. 20 favorite singers will perform at the concert, including the winner of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, Conchita Wurst.

“Kissing Tartu” is one of the central events of Tartu 2024, and its organizers expect thousands of participants to share a kiss. The director of the concert performance, Ain Mäeotsa, has no doubt that the European capital of culture and its guests will witness a very special event, which could completely break the image of cool and reserved Estonians.

In the free concert “Kissing Tartu” well-known and already loved songs from Estonia and “Eurovision”, which tell about Tartu, Estonia and Europe, will be played. The concert artists will include Conchita Wurst, Victor Crohne, Liisi Koikson, Lenna Kuurmaa, Koit Toome, Hanna-Liina Võsa, Jaanika Sillamaa, Ivo Linn, Maarja-Liis Ilus, Ott Lepland, Laura Põldvere, Elina Netšajeva, Birgit Sarrap , Getter Jaani, Elina Born, Robin Juhkental, Alika Milova, Uku Suviste, Juhan Uppin and Stig Rästa. The musical director of the concert performance is Siim Aimla, the choreographer is Alice Alexandridi.

Kati Torp, the creative director of Tartu 2024, invites concertgoers to be open-minded and indulge in the festive mood: “A joint kiss can be either a gently romantic kiss, a friend’s kiss on the cheek, or a loving hug between parents and children. This moment of sincerity and love resonates with one of the themes of the 2024 European Capital of Culture Tartu – awareness of sexuality.”

Kati Torpa also points out that Conchita’s participation in this event is symbolic for several reasons: “The LGBT+ topic is important for Estonia. We want everyone to have the opportunity to visit Kissing Tartu, being themselves and not hiding their true self. Every person has the right to live and to love. In addition, Conchita comes from Upper Austria – its city Badišle shares the status of the European capital of culture this year.”

During the concert, a short film will be shown about two young scientists who, with healthy humor and a light smile, are trying to solve the mystery of the kissing pandemic that has affected Tartu. Actors Maarja Johanna Mägi and Kaarel Pogga will play the roles of scientists.

The purpose of the “Kissing Tartu” concert performance is to promote public awareness of sexual health. The event is part of an ambitious project dedicated to sexual education, the central event of which will be on May 17 – the “First Kiss” conference.

The organizers of “Kissing Tartu” invite visitors to the event to be open, showing humanity and respect for those around them, regardless of their nationality, race, age, gender and world views. The concert performance in Tartu Town Hall will start on May 18 at 21.30, entrance – free of charge.

About Tartu 2024

Tartu 2024 is this year’s biggest event in Estonia – a quarter of the country’s population is involved in its organization. The artistic concept and guiding principle of the European Capital of Culture program is “Arts of Survival”. These are knowledge, skills and values ​​that will help to live better in the future, with a focus on sustainability, co-creation, local uniqueness, science and technology. More than 1,000 events will take place within the program during the year.