FESTIVAL
What is tava?
"The darker it gets, the brighter and clearer the power of light becomes."
Elo Liiv, TAVA chief curator
Tartu Architectural Lighting and Light Art Festival TAVA, also known as Tartu Light, is a comprehensive, international festival that brings together different fields of light and lighting art.
The festival takes place every other year, and TAVA26 is the fifth edition. The main program consists of workshops, outdoor installations, concerts, and exhibitions that bring together different generations.
Together, Tartu is transformed into a World of Light. Like an inviting beacon during the darkest time in the Nordics, it attracts culture enthusiasts to Southern Estonia.
ARCHIVE
Tava highlights
THE UGLIEST PLACE IN TARTU
Lighting Design Workshop
The workshop is part of the TAVA26 Light Biennial and is based on Katja Muttilainen’s light art concept “The Ugliest Place in the City.”
The concept of the workshop is at once civic, social, and sociological. City residents will vote to select the ugliest place in Tartu, which will then be transformed through lighting during the TAVA26 Light Biennial.
A site-specific lighting solution—rooted in the history of the “ugly place”—will be developed together with workshop participants. Through light, they will be able to comment on the public space around us, raising awareness among residents and sparking curiosity.
"Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit..."
Katja Muttilainen, lighting design teacher, artist, curator
TAVA26
Programme
01
LIGHT INSTALLATIONS
International and local artists bring light to the Botanical Garden and Toomemägi. Three evenings. Three hours. Darkness comes to life.
Watch installations
02
CONCERTS
Opening concert “Loojõel” in the Botanical Garden, and closing concert “OOPUS” — a meeting of music and light in nature.
Watch concerts
03
EXHIBITIONS
“Inherited Light” — a generational exhibition on light and heritage by the Sculptors’ Union and the Pallas University of Applied Sciences.
Watch exhibitions
04
WORKSHOPS
The IALD lighting design workshop with international masters. An educational program for everyone who wants to explore light art in depth.
Watch workshops
05
SHORT FILM
“Metsik lõuna” short films in urban space — a survival arts documentary program projected onto buildings and open fields in Tartu.
Watch shortfilms
06
SIDE PROGRAM
An additional program created in collaboration with Tartu cultural institutions and businesses, illuminating the entire city.
Watch side programm
COLLABORATION
Be part of it
TAVA is a unique opportunity to connect your brand with an international light art festival. Join as a sponsor, partner, or volunteer.