Eksperimenta! Challenging Creativity
April 26 – June 14, 2011
Tallinn, Estonia
E! Portuguese exposition. Mariana Santos, Melodie & Marta Almeida.
Information for school excursions
If you would like to…
– get inspired by creativity
– see how school students from different countries interpret contemporary art and the surrounding space
– dine in the funky seaside Café while marvelling the view
– enjoy a play in a theatre made of straws
– wander in the streets of the medieval Tallinn Old Town
…then Eksperimenta! welcomes you in May and June in the European Capital of Culture Tallinn 2011!
The Contemporary Art Triennial for School Students Eksperimenta! invites teachers, students, school officials from Europe to participate in the intriguing exhibition of Eksperimenta! and the vibrant events of the European Capital of Culture Tallinn 2011 programme. The following information provides you with useful tips for planning the trip.
ABOUT EKSPERIMENTA!
E! Portuguese exposition. Rui Almeida.
The Contemporary Art Triennial for School Students Eksperimenta! (E!) is a unique and first ever international event which brings art education out from school walls and presents contemporary art made by 14-19-year-olds. Tallinn is the European Capital of Culture in 2011, E! is one of the major events of the Tallinn 2011 program.
Located in the halls of the famous Song Festival Grounds, where Estonian Singing Revolution took place 20 years ago, E! represents a similar breakthrough, this time through education. Eksperimenta! triennial takes place from April 26 to June 14, 2011 encompassing more than 2000 m2 exposition space at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds, the Maarjamäe Palace and the surrounding urban space.
The theme of Eksperimenta! is “Space”. The exhibition consists of national expositions of 13 countries: Canada, Portugal, Germany, Slovenia, Turkey, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Russia, South Korea, Ireland and Iceland. The expositions of E! are the result of cooperation between professional artists and pre-professional young authors.
We welcome all school students and teachers from Europe to attend Eksperimenta! and visit Tallinn in May – June 2011. The late spring/early summer weather and the famous seaside location of the Song Festival Grounds make Eksperimenta! an attractive destination for school excursions.
OPENING HOURS AND FEES
There is no entrance fee for visiting the indoor exhibition in the Song Festival Grounds and the outdoor expositions.
There is €1.5 single ticket and €1 single ticket for student groups (group size starting from 10 persons) to visit the Eksperimenta! expositions in the Maarjamäe Palace.
The E! discount ticket also provides entrance to the Estonian History Museum exhibition „Will to Be Free. 90 years of the Republic of Estonia“, located in the Maarjamäe Palace. The exhibition gives the most comprehensive overview about the history of Republic of Estonia. The 20th century is a century of freedom for Estonia and the main theme of the exhibition is the idea of freedom – on the personal and on the political level. The exhibition is arranged into four topics, which open the different levels of self-being – “Power and government”, “Spiritual power”, “Fighting and resistance” and “Good life”. Besides plentiful photo-material, one can see unique items and historical materials: rare movies, audio-visual programs and interactive details. The explanatory texts are in Estonian, English and Russian.
Exhibition in the Song Festival Grounds is open Tue-Sun 11:00-19:00
Exhibitions in the Maarjamäe Palace are open Wed-Sun 10:00-17:00
THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN TALLINN
Opening of the Culture Capital year. Photo: Jelena Rudi
While in Tallinn, we highly recommend to take part of other exciting events offered by the European Capital of Culture Tallinn 2011 programme. Please see the highlights of the programme in the Appendix 1. Something exciting will be happening in Tallinn every day in 2011!
For all the listed events see the Culture Calendar http://kalender.tallinn2011.ee/en
For more art events and exhibitions, please see: http://www.kunstikeskus.ee/new/ktk/info/art_this_week.htm
HOW TO GET TO TALLINN?
By plane
Tallinn is only 2 to 3 flying hours away from Europe’s biggest cities. Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport is located just at the border of the city.
From the airport
By bus
Bus No. 2 on the route MÕIGU – REISISADAM. The airport’s bus stop is located in front of the arrivals terminal. In the city centre the bus stops next to Viru Keskus at A. Laikmaa street. You can purchase bus tickets from the bus driver or from the R-Kiosk in the terminal. The busride from the airport to the city centre takes about 20 minutes.
By taxi
Taxis are waiting in front of the arrivals terminal. Tallinn Airport is located 4 km from the city centre, an estimated taxi fare to the city centre is €10.
By ferry
Ferries from Helsinki to Tallinn:
Tallink http://www.tallinksilja.com/en/
Viking Line http://www.vikingline.fi/index.asp?lang=en
Eckerö Line http://www.eckeroline.fi/en/default.aspx
Lindaline http://www.lindaline.fi/en/
The ticket fares to Tallinn vary from €20 – €40, be sure to check the discount offers for groups and students.
Ships from Stockholm to Tallinn:
Tallink http://www.tallinksilja.com/en/
By coach
There is frequent coach connection between Tallinn, the main cities of the neighbouring countries and other European countries.
Main coach operators Eurolines (http://www.luxexpress.eu/lang/) and
Ecolines (http://www.ecolines.net/index.php?l=2) …offer approximately 10% discount to students and groups.
By train
Moscow – Tallinn line is operated by http://www.gorail.ee/?lang=en
WHERE TO STAY?
There are plenty hotels and hostels in Tallinn with varying prize range. We have highlighted some:
Hotels
We recommend the Tallink hotels, which are located in the harbour district and in the city centre:
Tallink Express Hotel: http://hotels.tallink.com/en/mainMenu/exprHotel/default.htm
Tallink City Hotel: http://hotels.tallink.com/en/mainMenu/cityHotel/default.htm
Please contact us for the Eksperimenta! discount code, which you can use when booking in the Tallink Express Hotel (the discount price per room is €30) or the Tallink City Hotel (the discount price per room is €45).
Hostels
Old House (http://www.oldhouse.ee/ ) offers a special price for Eksperimenta! visitors if staying 3 or more nights: single room – 24 €, twin/double room – 35,2 €, triple room -51,2 €, quadruple room – 67,2 € and dormitory bed 12 € per night.
Oldtown Backpackers (http://www.tallinnbackpackers.com/our-hostels/tallinnoldtownhostel/) offers a special group price for Eksperimenta! visitors – 10 € per person per night.
For further information and booking, please contact [email protected]
Information about other hotels and youth hostels in Tallinn is available at: http://visitestonia.com/en/holiday-accommodation/hotels-guesthouses
WHERE TO EAT?
Refreshments will be available in E! cafe. Photo: Lauri Laan
The Eksperimenta! Café in the Song Festival Grounds offers healthy meals and fresh seasonal tastes from the Northern kitchen with the average price of €4 per meal. It is the best choice for taking a break to enjoy a refreshing drink or a delicious milkshake, while exploring the various expositions.
An approximate price for meal in Tallinn city centre is ca €5 – €10. See the list of restaurants and cafes in Tallinn:
http://www.tourism.tallinn.ee/fpage/goodtime/wining_dining
A BREAK FROM THE CITY
For those who wish to explore the beautiful nature of Estonia, we recommend to take a day break from the city and visit one of the national parks in Estonia. For example, the Lahemaa National Park, which is the largest and oldest national park in Estonia, with swamp forests, bogs, hiking trails, numerous birds and animals and a unique open-air geology museum. Lahemaa National Park is located in the Northern Estonian coastal landscape, ca 70 km from Tallinn.
See more: http://www.visitestonia.com/en/holiday-destinations/national-parks/lahemaa
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Visa
Citizens from EU, USA, New Zealand, Canada or Australia do not need a visa to enter Estonia and you also do not need one, if you are travelling with a Schengen visa. If you do need a visa, make sure you get it before you come. Check the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website if you are in any doubt: http://www.vm.ee/?q=en/node/53
Currency
Since the 1st of January 2011 the Estonian official currency is EURO.
Weather
The weather in May-June can be many-faced: sunny, rainy, cloudy, temperature can range from 5 – 25 C. Please check: www.weather.ee for current forecast before your travel.
USEFUL LINKS
Estonian Tourist Board http://www.visitestonia.com/en
The official Tallinn tourism web page http://www.tourism.tallinn.ee/
European Capital of Culture Tallinn 2011 http://www.tallinn2011.ee/eng
The Tallinn Song Festival Grounds http://www.lauluvaljak.ee/eng
Estonian History Museum http://www.ajaloomuuseum.ee/index.php?id=7
Further information:
Kerli Kehman
Eksperimenta! communications manager
(+372) 52 04 541
[email protected]
www.eksperimenta.net