City of Tartu

🎄 Christmas Time in Tartu is Truly Magical ✨ Tartu transforms into a vibrant Christmas City each year, offering a unique blend of festive activities, enchanting performances, and winter delights. From the heart of the city at the Town Hall Square to cozy pavilions and sparkling light displays, the Christmas City welcomes everyone to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit. The program features live music, theatrical light shows, and heartwarming traditions. Families can meet Santa Claus, enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, and explore creative workshops. Ice skating enthusiasts will find joy at the rink, while food lovers can savor seasonal treats in environmentally friendly packaging at the charming Christmas cafés. A highlight of the season is the intertwining of folklore and science in captivating light productions inspired by astronomy and Estonian mythology. Visitors can also discover the wonders of space at innovative exhibitions created by local observatories, universities, and artists. Rooted in sustainability, Tartu's Christmas celebrations aim to reduce environmental impact, ensuring a greener future for all. With something for everyone, the Christmas City invites you to experience the warmth, wonder, and joy of the season. Wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with magic, warmth, and happiness! ❄️ #CityofTartu #ChristmasTime #TravelDestination

Building Bridges in Innovation: Tartu and Gangwon Join Forces City of Tartu, in collaboration with the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency (EIS) and Gangwon Province from South Korea, has initiated a significant partnership to strengthen innovation and technological development. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed, focusing on cooperation in biotechnology, sustainable technology, and ICT. The partnership aims to combine the strengths of the involved regions and organizations to drive economic growth and advance global technological innovation. Gangwon Province, recognized for its high-tech industries, and Tartu, Estonia's center for knowledge and research, seek to enhance economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for their communities. Gangwon representatives see this collaboration as a vital step in positioning the province as a global leader in future industries, emphasizing the importance of cross-border innovation. The Estonian Business and Innovation Agency highlights the value of sharing expertise and best practices, enabling businesses to gain new opportunities and foster solutions to global challenges. Tartu City Government views this as an opportunity to strengthen its research and business ecosystem by establishing new international connections. The MoU outlines key areas for collaboration, including support for market entry, knowledge sharing, joint research initiatives, and pilot projects. This three-year partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation and progress. Together, Tartu and Gangwon are paving the way for a future defined by collaboration and technological advancements. #Innovation #Collaboration #CityofTartu #Sustainability

🌟 Tartu: A Micromobility Success Story City of Tartu is setting new standards in urban mobility! 🚲 Recently featured in Zag Daily, Tartu’s journey showcases how a mid-sized city can lead the way in sustainable transportation, innovation, and community-driven progress. The article highlights several key achievements: 🚴♀️ The bike-sharing system, seamlessly integrated into the city’s transport network, has become a vital part of daily life, reducing car dependency and supporting sustainable travel. 🛤️ An extensive network of cycling-friendly infrastructure, ensuring safety, accessibility, and convenience for all users. 🌍 A clear focus on sustainability, with micromobility playing a central role in Tartu’s long-term environmental and urban development strategies. These efforts are about more than just transport—they’re about creating a more livable city. By reducing emissions, promoting public health, and enhancing the overall quality of life, Tartu has become a role model for cities worldwide. This success wouldn’t have been possible without strong collaboration between the city, innovative partners, and an engaged community that values progress and sustainability. Together, we’re proving that with thoughtful planning, smart investments, and collective action, we can transform urban spaces into greener, more connected, and people-centered environments. Let’s keep inspiring others to prioritize solutions that benefit people and the planet! 📸 Mana Kaasik, Kert Kõivik #CityofTartu #Micromobility #Sustainability #Innovation #UrbanMobility

🌿 Congratulations to Tartu Toy Museum for being awarded the Green Museum title! 🌿 Tartu Toy Museum has become the 10th museum in Estonia to receive this prestigious recognition, which is awarded by the Estonian Association for Environmental Management. The title acknowledges museums that are committed to adopting environmentally friendly practices in their daily operations. The museum has long been dedicated to promoting sustainability, not only through its operations but also through its educational programs and exhibitions. From reusing display materials and toys to teaching children about the importance of nature and mutual care, the museum continues to make a meaningful impact. One example of their commitment is the new children's production "A City with a Green Heart", now part of the Theatre House program, which raises awareness about urban nature and ecological literacy. This season's museum workshops, such as "Survival Skills" and "Fix-It," focus on developing environmental competencies and inspiring visitors of all ages to think about the world around them. The Green Museum certification is managed by the Estonian Association for Environmental Management in collaboration with the Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn Centre and ICOM Estonia. Tartu is proud to celebrate the Toy Museum's ongoing efforts to create a greener, more sustainable world. 🌍 #CityofTartu #GreenMuseum #Sustainability #EnvironmentalAwareness

Driving Innovation: Tartu's Autonomous Culture Bus Pilot Project 🚍 The City of Tartu has successfully concluded a groundbreaking four-month pilot project, integrating an autonomous culture bus into public spaces. The bus operated on a fixed route between the Tartu City Museum and the Estonian National Museum, transporting nearly 2,000 passengers and covering over 3,400 kilometers, mostly autonomously. This innovative initiative focused on: ✅ Enhancing passenger safety with advanced sensor technology ✅ Testing smart city infrastructure for real-world use ✅ Gathering insights into public acceptance of autonomous mobility Tartu’s compact size and collaborative spirit made it the perfect testbed for this ambitious project, involving businesses, researchers, and citizens. The results were even presented on the international stage at the Smart City Expo in Barcelona, highlighting Tartu’s role as a forward-thinking innovation hub. 🌍 Tartu continues to lead the way in embracing future technologies, proving that even a small city can make a big impact. Let’s keep driving towards a smarter, safer, and more connected future! 💡 📸 Evelin Lumi #CityofTartu #SmartCity #AutonomousVehicles #Tartu2024 #FutureOfMobility

🎥 Tartu Film Fund Receives Prestigious European Award 🎉 In late November, at the European Commission’s SME Assembly in Budapest, the best entrepreneurship promoters in Europe were celebrated. Among them, Tartu Film Fund stood out by winning the Grand Prize in the category “Improving the Business Environment and Supporting the Internationalization of Businesses” at the European Enterprise Promotion Awards. This highly esteemed competition recognizes exceptional initiatives and best practices that inspire others across Europe to create similar projects. The Tartu Film Fund’s innovative efforts to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and enhance the regional business environment were deemed exemplary, earning it the top spot among 442 candidates from 29 countries. The Grand Prize is a milestone that highlights the importance of ongoing efforts in making Southern Estonia and Tartu more attractive for creative industries and businesses, both locally and internationally. Since its founding in 2015, the Tartu Film Fund has supported over 50 audiovisual productions, showcasing the unique stories, landscapes, and talent of Southern Estonia on screens worldwide. From internationally acclaimed documentaries like Anna Hints' "Savvusanna sõsarad" to co-productions like Henrik Ruben Genz’s "Erna on sõjas" and the Cannes-premiered "Sannapäiv", the fund continues to strengthen Tartu’s reputation as a film-friendly region. The fund’s contribution to over 50 films has brought Tartu and Southern Estonia to global audiences and showcased the power of regional collaboration. This recognition inspires further efforts to share local stories on the world stage. Congratulations to the Tartu Film Fund and everyone who has contributed to this success! #CityofTartu #TartuFilmFund #ImprovingBusiness

Characters of Tartu: Meet Kertu Vuks, Tartu's Head of Urban Design Department.

Tartu Has Outstanding Chefs! We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible success of two talented chefs from Tartu, whose achievements have brought pride to our city: 🥇 Hugo Komp from Tartu Rakenduslik Kolledž (Tartu Vocational College) has been named Young Chef of the Year 2024! This prestigious title was awarded during the “Maitsev Eesti” festival, where young chefs competed by crafting dishes inspired by the Saaremaa region, including a main course featuring Muhu lamb and a vegan dessert. Hugo’s creativity and skill earned him the top spot, and his journey will now take him to Lyon, France, for a two-month culinary program. 🥉 Karl Pajussaar, also from Tartu, secured third place in the Chef of the Year 2024 competition, which highlights Estonia’s top culinary talents. Competing against experienced professionals, Karl showcased his exceptional skills and dedication to gastronomy, earning well-deserved recognition. Both competitions, organized by the Estonian Chefs’ Association, celebrate the country’s finest chefs and their innovative approaches to using local ingredients. These events not only showcase Estonia’s culinary potential but also inspire the next generation of chefs to achieve excellence. Congratulations to Hugo and Karl for their outstanding accomplishments! Their success reflects the vibrant culinary culture of our city and the passionate mentors who guide them. Tartu is proud to support such talented individuals in their pursuit of culinary excellence! #CityofTartu #OutstandingChefs #ChefOfTheYear2024 #YoungChefOfTheYear2024 #CulinaryExcellence

Introducing the Siuru Cultural Center Brand! We are thrilled to unveil the brand identity for Siuru Cultural Center, which provides both visual and verbal guidelines to represent and communicate the essence of this exciting new concept. The brand was developed by the BOND Brand Consultancy. According to Bond’s Creative Director Nils Kajander: "Working on this project was not just a great privilege and an inspiring endeavor but also a creative process at its finest – an idea and approach that evolved and flourished through collaboration with the client. The end result is something to be proud of, showcasing how Tartu’s level is truly on par with the world." The core idea of the brand is that Siuru is, first and foremost, a platform for culture – a pillar that supports diverse interpretations and experiences for its many audiences. Ultimately, it’s the visitors who give Siuru its true meaning. The centerpiece of Siuru's identity is the logo, inspired by the rhythmic columns of the building’s architecture. Its soft, rounded forms make it friendly and inviting. The dynamic modular logotype is based on a typeface created by Aimur Takk of Newfound Type, which draws on research into a collection of wooden letters from the Tartu Printing Museum. The modular design reflects the multifaceted nature of Siuru, allowing the logotype to be deconstructed into symbols, such as a representation of the mythical bird Siuru and other creative motifs. These modular elements also provide a rich basis for icons, wayfinding systems, and other visual materials for the cultural center. The result of this collaboration is a comprehensive brand book, featuring guidelines for the logo, typography, colors, layout systems, and storytelling elements to bring the Siuru brand to life. As Siuru’s Director Aavo Kokk puts it: "Siuru is already taking flight. On December 5th, we’ll open a month-long exhibition at Pallas Gallery, showcasing all the submissions from the Siuru architecture competition. On March 13th, together with the Estonian Literary Museum, we’ll host the conference ‘Sing, Sing, Little Bird… Siuru in Our Cultural History’ in Tartu. And there’s much more to come. That’s why we need the tools now to make Siuru’s essence visible to all." Although the Siuru Cultural Center does not yet exist as a physical space, its creation is already well underway – the development of the building and its brand identity are progressing hand in hand, paving the way for a unique cultural hub in Tartu. Stay tuned for what’s next as the Siuru Cultural Center spreads its wings and takes shape! 🕊

♻️ Promoting Sustainable Architecture and Circular Economy in Tartu! At the 2024 Timber Building Awards, Tartu received recognition for its eco-friendly architecture projects, such as the EKA shelter “AVA” in Annelinn and the innovative bike pavilions made from reused materials. These projects are part of City of Tartu's broader commitment to sustainable urban development and circular practices. "AVA," created by first-year EKA architecture students, provides a new community space in Annelinn while highlighting the unique urban qualities of the neighborhood. Designed with input from residents, it combines function with community spirit, encouraging relaxation and interaction. Meanwhile, Tartu’s bike pavilions are part of an ongoing circular renovation project aiming to incorporate reused materials in urban renovations, reducing environmental impact and construction waste. By 2030, as part of the EU mission to create 100 climate-neutral cities, Tartu aims to implement these sustainable practices on a larger scale, reusing materials from demolition and construction projects city-wide. 🌱 The awards were presented by the Estonian Forest and Wood Industries Association. 📸 Evelin Lumi, Tiina Pitk #CityofTartu #CircularEconomy #SustainableCity