JUNE | FEATURE
Green light
In Estonia, where the impacts of
Covid-19 have been limited, events are
beginning to return. Access meets the
organisers of Tallin Music Week to find
out more
By most measurements, Estonia
is having a good Covid-19
crisis. The country, which is
situated just south of Finland in the
north-eastern part of Europe, has seen
1,794 cases of the virus and just 64
deaths (accurate as of 22 May). It has
not recorded more than ten new cases
in a single day since the beginning of
May, and as a result its live industry is
beginning to reopen.
The Estonian government has
allowed public events with restricted
access from July, which has given
the green light to Tallin Music Week
(TMW). TMW is a music and culture
festival that will run from 26-30 August
in the Estonian capital. It comprises a
variety of events and performances in
different venues, including a three-day
music programme, a conference at the
Estonian academy of Arts, and free city
festival events.
Programme Curator Ingrid Kohtla
says the event will still be taking a
number of precautions, despite the
relatively low spread of the virus in
Estonia. “[TMW events] can be adjusted
to the current restrictions of 1,000
people maximum capacity at outdoor
and 500 maximum at indoor events,”
she says.
Kohlta says that the Estonian
government is currently producing
official guidelines for events, and that
the team is ready to make adjustments
for these as necessary. “We will remodel
the programme in accordance with
the more specific official government
regulations and rules expected to be
issued soon.”
Among the precautions being
taken by TMW are the monitoring
of audiences, performers and
staff numbers in all event areas,
ensuring contactless venue entry
and eliminating queues wherever
possible. “Being an international event,
TMW also takes into account health
and travel regulations abroad, which
will invariably mean restrictions to
performers and delegates from certain
countries and regions,” says Kohlta.
The TMW team hopes to get around
these travel issues by moving some
parts of the event online. Kohlta says:
“Covid-19 has created the perfect storm
for digital acceleration. It's time to test
its post-lockdown possibilities further
via virtual or hybrid solutions for
networking and conference panels.”
Director of Tallin Music Week
Helen Sildna says she hopes the event
can sound a positive note after a
difficult summer, while remaining
safe for attendees. “This season will
give the entire cultural and events
sector an opportunity to be smart and
responsible, and to prove that we are
able to provide value and new quality
even in challenging circumstances,” she
says. “It’s essential to inject optimism
to artists, the whole sector and our
audience.”
“It’s essential to inject optimism to artists, the
whole sector and our audience.”
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