Workshops
Access to the workshops is on a first-come, first-served basis, until all spots are filled. Latecomers will not be admitted.FRIDAY, 24.07
Discover the soul of Nadsanie with HrayBery (Poland/Ukraine)
FRI 24.07 at 12.30, Chamber Hall of Traditional Music Centre
Come and experience the authentic sound of the Nadsanie region! This isn't your typical sit-and-listen lecture, but a journey back to a time when music was the heartbeat of the village. The band members share the stories and unique melodies that made this borderland culture so distinct: “The name of our band, HrayBery, literally means "Grab and Play," and that is exactly the spirit we want to share with you. We'll be showing archival photos to set the scene and talking about the old wedding traditions that kept these tunes alive for generations. We are bringing along our instruments so that anyone who feels the spark can step up and try them out. Come listen to the history and help us bring the spirit of Nadsanie back to life!”
The workshop is in English.
FRI 24.07 at 14.30, Chamber Hall of Traditional Music Centre
Gangar fiddler, Mattias Thedens presents and teaches tunes from different regions of Norway, and tells about Norwegian music and dance traditions. This workshop is open for musicians and dancers of all ages and skill levels, bring a recording device!
The workshop is in English.
FRI 24.07 at 16.30, Chamber Hall of Traditional Music Centre
Manhu, an ensemble from the Shilin Stone Forest region of Yunnan, introduces the traditional instruments and music of the Sani people. In this workshop, you’ll hear and get an up-close look at many instruments: the large and small three-stringed lutes da sanxian and xiao sanxian, the chaz, also known as moon lute, the hulusheng, made from a gourd and bamboo pipes, the three-string bowed instrument sanhu, Sani bamboo flutes, the Jew’s harp, and even the surprising leaf instrument. The musicians of Manhu demonstrate how these instruments are woven into dance, song, pastoral life, memory, and community celebrations. The workshop is ideal for anyone interested in rare folk instruments, living musical traditions, and the sounds of Yunnan’s mountain villages.
The workshop is in English.
SATURDAY, 25.07
The story of an instrument / Sofia Joons (Estonian Swedish)
SAT 25.07 at 12.30, Chamber Hall of Traditional Music Centre
When the Enggrön family from Suur-Pakri island left Estonia in 1944, they took with them a three-row diatonic accordion purchased in St. Petersburg in the early 1900s. Known as a Petersburskij instrument, it is now kept in Stockholm and belongs to Endel Enggrön, son of Robert Enggrön, who was a highly regarded musician on the Pakri Islands before the Second World War. In this worskhop, we take a closer look at the repertoire played on this very instrument in both Estonia and Sweden, and listen to recordings preserved from the early 1950s. We will also discuss which musical culture the instrument became part of after the war, and how the Pakri musical tradition has survived to the present day.
SAT 25.07 at 14.30, Chamber Hall of Traditional Music Centre
Performance lecture with Groupa based on the series of 5 Kind of Folk albums.
The workshop is in English.
SAT 25.07 at 16.30, Chamber Hall of Traditional Music Centre
Step into the vibrant world of Romani dance and rhythm! Learn basic solo dance moves, feel the energy of traditional movement, and join an uplifting session filled with live music, Hungarian water jug percussion, guitar, and singing. A joyful, interactive experience full of rhythm, culture, and fun for everyone.
The workshop is in English.
SUNDAY, 26.07
Well, slap me sideways! Extraordinary stories in words and music / Tarmo Noormaa, Brett Hiiob, Mari Meentalo, Hanna-Miina Allingu
SUN 26.07 at 12.30, Chamber Hall of Traditional Music Centre
What happens when traditional music research moves onto the stage?
How do chorale melodies sound on the bagpipe? Who are the singing fiddlers in Estonian tradition? Is it possible to reconstruct the Seto fiddle style from the Seto kannel tradition, and what can we learn from the popularity of the Teppo-type accordion?
“Science on Stage” is a hybrid of concert and TEDx-style lecture, in which master’s students in traditional music at the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy present their practice-based research projects. Their presentations combine musical examples, visual layers, and explanations that reveal the thoughtful work, choices, and research questions often hidden behind the public performance of a single song, style, or playing technique.
This is a concert for anyone interested in the “why” and the “how” – why a tradition sounds the way it does, how music creates meaning, identity, and belonging, and how tradition lives on and transforms today.
SUN 26.07 at 14.30, Chamber Hall of Traditional Music Centre
Annika Mändmaa introduces traditional instruments and sound-making toys she has made herself from natural materials, including the shepherd’s horn, goat horn, kannel, talharpa, bone whistle, clay whistle, buzz bone, cricket, Jew’s harp, and more. You can sing along, dance, and rap (chant rhythmically). Come with your whole family!
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WORKSHOPS TAKING PLACE ON SEVERAL DAYS
Dance School
Green Stage
FRI 24.07 at 14.00 / Vigala Folklooriselts Kiitsharakad
FRI 24.07 at 18.00 / Folklooriklubi Maatasa
SAT 25.07 at 14.00 / Sõrvemaa Sõrmitsejad
SAT 25.07 at 18.00 / Emajõe Tantsuklubi
SUN 26.07 at 14.00 / Soveldaja pillirühm
To help you dance with confidence and keep the steps straight at the Dance House, Dance School is here to guide you. Talented musicians, singers, and dancers will demonstrate how Estonian villagers and townsfolk once danced. The instructors are the Vigala Folklooriselts Kiitsharakad, who have chosen dance tunes that can be played on the väikekannel. They will also play singing games from their home region of Vigala. Folklooriklubi Maatasa teaches both traditional dances from Southern Estonia and favorite dances learned from friends in the Baltic and Nordic countries, and of course there will also be some of the dance club’s beloved crowd-pleasers. Sõrvemaa Sõrmitsejad introduce dances and circle games from Saaremaa, ranging from the old familiar ones to a few more modern examples. In addition, Emajõe Tantsuklubi teaches some of the best dances from Estonian dance clubs, along with alternative versions from elsewhere in Europe. With Soveldaja Pillirühm, the participants can learn both well-known and rarer dances, and also play a few singing games.
Basketball court at Lake Viljandi beach
FRI 24.07 at 10.00
SAT 25.07 at 10.00
SUN 26.07 at 10.00
The best way to start your morning is to listen to the music in the best possible way – through dancing! Mia Marta Ruus and friends ask you to join them on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning to dance on the basketball court at Lake Viljandi beach so you can start the day well, letting traditional music into your bones and lifting your mood!
We dance old social dances and spice it up with a few waltzes, polkas, flat foot waltzes and rheinländers. Bring a friend or come alone, you’ll find a dancing partner on the court!
Baby singing and playing group / Kreete Viira
Sakala Centre
FRI 24.07 at 11.00
SAT 25.07 at 11.00
SUN 26.07 at 11.00
Target audience: children aged 0–2 with their parents
Traditional music teacher Kreete Viira invites mothers and fathers to bring their babies to the group where they play age-appropriate games, singing games and sing songs which you can memorise and repeat at home to promote the love of traditional culture in your children.
Sakala Centre
FRI 24.07 at 12.00
SAT 25.07 at 12.00
SUN 26.07 at 12.00
Target audience: children aged 3–6 with their parents
Kreete Viira teaches children and their families age-appropriate games, singing games and songs. Children are welcome to attend with their parents, so that later on, you can play these games at home yourself.
Men’s singing session
Lokaal SaharaViljandi (Posti 6)
Target audience: men of all ages, no women allowed.
FRI 24.07 at 11.00 / Margus Põldsepp. Estonian men's songs in wars
SAT 25.07 at 11.00 / Men’s singing sessions at Viljandi Folk – 25 years of tradition!
In July 2001, the Viljandi Folk Music Festival hosted its first men’s singing session. The tradition was started by the legendary folk music enthusiast Ain Sarv (1948–2005), and the singing sessions have since become an eagerly awaited annual custom, almost a mandatory secret gathering where men can twirl their moustaches. Over the years, the sessions have inspired countless male singers for whom folk songs are a natural part of life. Let us mark the occasion and remember Ain’s songs. The singing will be led by Ain’s sons Jaan, Ants, and Jaak Sarv, with festival head Ando Kiviberg also paying tribute to men’s singing.
SUN 26.07 at 11.00 / Lauri Õunapuu
Bring along your favourite songs to share with others!
Theatre TEMUFI hall (Tartu 9)
FRI 24.07 at 11.00 / Marion Selgall
SAT 25.07 at 11.00 / Janika Oras
SUN 26.07 at 11.00 / Kristiina Ehin
Target audience: women of all ages, no men allowed.
Women have preserved our traditional singing culture throughout centuries. The folklore archive is filled with songs from our female ancestors, where they talk about their thoughts and feelings. Which of these songs speak to the women of today? Which songs will the women of today leave to their children? We invite all women to join us on three festival mornings to sing about what you’re thinking and feeling. Bring your favourite songs with you so you can share with the others.