The largest design festival in the Baltics opens its doors in the industrially infused Krulli Quarter. Attracting over 10,000 visitors from Estonia and abroad, the week-long Tallinn Design Festival showcases the achievements of Estonian and international designers and initiates discussions on design’s position in today's society. The international festival is based on four pillars: debates and exhibitions on the future of design for professionals and students; community-engaging events; a rich satellite programme; and design commerce .
This year's festival will again feature design industry’s top event: the Estonian Design Awards Gala, where the winners of the best product design BRUNO will be announced. BRUNO nominees’ exhibition is also part of the programme. Among the many other exhibitions and events from Estonia and abroad, the programme includes conferences, design talks and PechaKucha lectures, children's programme and several workshops. Many visitors will be attracted by the Estonian design and architecture schools showcase, the Arts Thread Global Design Graduate Show, the poster exhibition of the Haapsalu Graphic Design Festival, and the product and material-focused exhibitions.
One of the main events of the festival, the DOM sustainable fashion and clothing design show will bring the story of local brands to the stage in the form of a conceptual performance. The festival weekend will see the opening of the hugely popular Design Street design market, and from Monday there will be the chance to visit the INTERIOR+ mini-fair. The festival will have over 25 satellites - museums, galleries and design studios - which will host tours, talks, masterclasses and other exciting events across the city.
Each year, Tallinn Design Festival concentrates on the most important themes in the design scene. The aim this year is to demonstrate how creativity and design can be employed to create a better physical and social environment. The focus is on small and deserted places that can be renewed and revitalised via creative design thinking. A dedicated conference will bring together architects, urban planners, designers and enthusiasts who share a common interest in creating sustainable, liveable and aesthetically pleasing environments. Discussions and workshops will consider a range of topics from urban design strategies to the unique challenges and opportunities offered by remote and small-scale communities.
Delegations of designers, urbanists, researchers from nine countries will visit Tallinn to present examples of transformations that have been implemented in peripheries thanks to the four-year EU project ("SMOTIES - Creative Works for Small and Remote Places"). The results of the project and methodology will be published in a book, which will be presented at the festival. One of the festival satellites is in Joaveski, where the Estonian design team has carried out a series of innovations on the site of an old paper mill. Back in Tallinn the international conference will feature inspiring presentations by sustainable development experts Cameron Sinclair (USA), Stephan Clambaneva (USA), Spyros Bofylatos (UK) and speakers from ten countries.
Most of the events are free of charge for visitors. In case of a fee or a requirement for registration, the information is available online for each event. The festival area is wheelchair accessible.
Memories from 2021 here.
Memories from 2020 here.
Memories from 2019 here.
Memories from 2018 here.
Memories from 2017 here.
Memories from 2016 here.
The Republic of Estonia has been an independent state since 1918, shortly interrupted by the half a century long Soviet occupation following the World War II. Estonia restored its independence in 1991, known as The Singing Revolution that was inspired by the more than century-old song festival tradition.
Today's Estonia is a thriving and forward-looking member state of EU and NATO, where you can vote online and start your own business in less than half an hour. Many have done so already, including the founders of Skype and Wise.
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