This year, the HeadRead literary festival takes place between 28 and 30 May, i.e. across three days instead of the nearly week-long run due to the pandemic. The festival programme has been streamlined accordingly. Another new move means that out of safety concerns, all events take place outdoors, around Tallinn, and to limit the size of groups, all events require prior registration by emailing retk@headread.ee. All festival events are free.
The festival is opened on Friday 28 May at 15.00 at the Tammsaare Park, where an exhibition of photographs by Dmitri Kotjuh of the festival’s international guests through the years is on display. Organisers Krista Kaer and Jan Kaus will speak, and Igor Kotjuh will talk to photographer Dmitri Kotjuh. On Sunday 30 May, guided tours with festival organisers are held to share their impressions of the authors on display. The exhibition will be mounted at the end of this week and will remain open until 10 June.
Friday also includes a sea-themed poetry programme by Adam Cullen and Øyvind Rangøy in Noblessner, and Kriszta Tóth’s programme on Hungarian folk tales in the courtyard of the Hungarian Institute.
On Saturday 29 May, you can listen to Jan Kaus’ lecture/musing on parks and gardens in literature at the Kalamaja Park. The same day, literary walks around the Old Town will be held with Elle-Mari Talivee and Josef Kats (in Russian).
On Sunday 30 May in the courtyard of the Vabamu Museum, literary scholar Eneken Laanes and historian David Vseviov will discuss literature as a prisoner of the past. Literary walks in the Old Town will also continue.
For the first time, the festival is holding a literary hide-and-seek game “Find a writer”. On all three days, you can look for renowned writers around Tallinn, and ask them for books and autographs. Participating authors include Maarja Kangro, Indrek Koff, Eda Ahi, Kadri Hinrikus, Ilmar Tomusk, Jaanus Vaiksoo, P. I. Filimonov and Jüri Kolk, with possible additions to the lineup. Full details and the newest updates about the festival are available on the festival website and Facebook page.
See you at the festival!
