Tallinn kicked off its year as European Capital of Culture on New Year’s Eve with a spectacular concert and firework display. Turku followed a fortnight later with an equally spectacular celebration along the River Aura.
Being European Capital of Culture is not, on the global scale of things, a high-profile achievement. But it is not to be lightly undertaken. Each city has laid on a large number and variety of cultural events (Tallinn’s organising foundation claims something is happening every day of the year), and doing so requires huge efforts and large budgets. Turku arranged for a budget of €55 million, to be spent in 2008-12. The Estonian and Tallinn governments each promised 50 million kroon (€3.2 million), and then, when the economic crisis bit hard, reduced their contributions to 20 and 10 million koon respectively. Those involved doubtless had nightmares about a repetition of Vilnius’s problems in 2009, when project cancellations, delays and the collapse of the national airline undermined its programme. The European Union was upset, but came up with its promised €35 million.
However, the cities’ programmes are up and running and one can only wish them success. Tallinn’s theme is ‘Stories of the Seashore’; Turku’s is ‘Turku on Fire’; both in practice centre on the cities’ close relationship with the sea. Estonia is, coincidentally, celebrating 20 years of independence in 2011 and joined the eurozone on 1 January, adding two extra dimensions to its programme.
Turku has converted the Logomo ‑ the former railway engineering works on the riverside ‑ into a huge cultural venue in time for the year’s events. Tallinn is converting the former Seaplane Harbour (a former Soviet military establishment) into the Estonian Maritime Museum, which will open in June.
