Let a Thousand Community Days Bloom

With the first real weeks of spring weather finally upon Estonia, community festivals around the country bring out normally reserved Estonian familiies to acquaint themselves with their neighbors and spend educational and fun weekends outdoors.

In the university city of Tartu, a weeklong festival celebrating the turn-of-the-century wooden suburb of Karlova is concluding right now with a day-long celebration titled "Karlova Day". A park in front of the Tartu University Physics buliding has been turned into a fairground, with events ranging from linedancing to photo-orienteering taking place throughout the evening. In addition, the most authentic examples of Karlova architecture will be decorated with prizes, several shops will turn into cafes for the evening and most galleries, as well as the Tartu Art College will be open for visitation. 

The community festival will conclude tomorrow morning with a family morning and concert.

Meanwhile, Tallinn's own wooden suburb – Kalamaja – is also hosting a community weekend. A fairground, not unlike the one at Karlova is hosting concerts throughout the day, while a number of workshops around the fairground provide entertainment and education for all members of the family. The alternative feel of the neighborhood is confirmed by the bike repair shop open throughout the weekend, several contemporary art exhibits, and a fair trade fair taking place Sunday morning.

The best known of Tallinn's active communities, the New World, which has hosted artsy festivals to great interest from people across the capital, has not yet announced whether they will be continuining the tradition this year.

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