On Friday evening, the opening ceremony of the 2024 European Capital of Culture in Tartu took place on the banks of the Emajogi River. Estonian President Aral Kalis, who spoke at the opening ceremony, said the event shows the world that culture can be created even in small places.
Tartu 2024 organizers expect at least one million people to visit the city and southern Estonia throughout the year. President Aral Kalis wants Tartu and other cities in southern Estonia to show the world that culture can be created not only in big cities like Vienna or Paris, but also in small places.
“I believe we can do it. Tartu is the cultural center of Estonia and Europe,” President Kallis said.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, the President said: “Today is an important day when we gather in Tartu to discuss the essence of culture. There aren’t many opportunities.”
“In this lies the uniqueness of our land, our people, our nature.Culture serves to embody our distinct identity, and like an invisible thread, it connects us. “Culture has helped us through difficult times and preserved the norms of our essence,” he said. he continued.
President Kallis then emphasized the importance of frequent discussions about culture, especially for a small country like Estonia.
“This is precisely why the eyes of Europe are on Estonia today, focusing on Tartu,” he said, adding that “Tartu has stood as the center of Estonian culture and spirit throughout the ages.” .
“I hope that the spirit of the people we carry resonates powerfully throughout the year in Tartu as the cultural capital, both here in my hometown and throughout Estonia,” he said.
The President concluded by wishing everyone a “year filled with rich cultural experiences.”
You can watch the Tartu 2024 full-throttle ceremony again by clicking on the image link at the top of this article.
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