Although highly illuminated in many respects, cities are innately mysterious; explanations of what each one defines in singular adjectives (majestic, dynamic, modern) can be misleading and rarely do justice to the underlying complexities they present. When you fly over a city in the thick of night, and look down from your cabin window, all you see for miles is a collection of brightly burning lights, shining bravely, in the midst of dark avenues and cloaked parks. In one’s imagination this how a city presents itself.

There are facts, dates, figures- population, historical and geographical resonance, economic and political prevalence- which give reference to a city’s status within the wider world.  The international community look at these illuminations as indicators into a country’s vitality and worth. Yet, fundamentally, the vitality lies in the darkness, and although it touches and interacts with the light, it will never be truly exposed by it. To understand what lurks underneath, you must be engulfed by it yourself.

Literature has, and will remain, a key tool in allowing someone to do this. A text, which may manifest itself in the form of a novel, poem, film or piece of music, can give profound insight into the cultures and sub cultures that inhabit a city. Tallinn, the 2011 European Capital of Culture, has always had a distinct voice in relating its citizen’s experiences through the form of literature, thus turning it into cultural and artistic artefact to be relayed for generations to come.  In doing so it offers a unique vantage point into narratives of Tallinn culture as well as Estonian/Baltic culture that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Thus, as part of the Tallinn 2011 events, it is fitting a literature festival will be hosted that uses the city itself as a platform to delve into the eclectic range of narratives and discussions that have originated from its parks, buildings and monuments.

In accordance, guided literary walks around parts of Tallinn (the Zoo, Old  Town, Nõmme) will allow spectators to marvel at the cities literary history alongside a knowledge commentator.  Young audiences will also benefit with talks from a range of children’s authors in a series of events entitled ‘Mornings with Children’s Authors’. Writers such as Leelo Tungal and Tiia Toomet will be in attendance.  Estonia’s zeitgeist writers will also be represented in the ‘Young Estonia III’ event, in which they have the opportunity to speak about how contemporary Estonia has defined their prose and poetry. In attendance will be gifted new writers such as Tiia Toomet and Kaur Riismaa. Other highlights include Rock’n’Roll and Literature, in which Estonian musicians and critics explore the relationship between the two art forms, and The Cassette Generation, in which poets working during the communist epoch discuss their  literary contributions during this times.
For more information: www.headread.ee.