Medieval Days in Tallinn Old Town

Program

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Historical tours and workshops

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Tournament

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The program for the 2025 Medieval Days

Fun on Thursday, July 6

City tours T 6 July

City tours Fri July 7

Tournament Saturday, July 8

FRIDAY, 11 July

The stage and market of the Town Hall Square 10:00-19:00

12:00 Herald’s Greeting to the Townspeople
12:10 Performance by the Olde Hansa Household
13:00 EstPipes Trio on bagpipes
14:00 Early music ensemble Poeta Magica (GER)
15:00 Medieval games for the townspeople
16:00 EstPipes Trio on bagpipes
17:00 A colorful opening procession begins at the Viru Gates, followed by the opening ceremony and performance at Town Hall Square, featuring the participation of Tauri-Viljar Vahesaar, the world champion of slackline walking.

The Medieval Days Opening Procession begins at the start of Viru Street, near the Viru Gates, from where a colorful parade makes its way toward the Town Hall Square. During the opening ceremony, the city’s esteemed lords and ladies will take the stage, the market oath will be proclaimed, and the event will culminate in a breathtaking aerial performance titled “The Illusion of Balance” — a poetic monologue suspended between sky and earth.

Above the medieval city, like a timeless prayer and a confession of physical artistry, an aerial jester takes the stage.
Each movement between heaven and earth is not merely a spectacle, but a delicate compromise between life and gravity.

“The Illusion of Balance” is a poetic slackline performance by world champion Tauri Vahesaar that invites the audience beyond illusion — to see the unseen: what is balance truly made of?

Tauri Vahesaar is one of the world’s top slackliners, holding numerous international titles since 2013, including the 2015 World Championship. His greatest achievements include work as a stunt performer in Hollywood films such as Assassin’s Creed and Wonder Woman 1984. He is a world record holder and the creator of the signature trick known as the Estonian Backflip. Among his most awe-inspiring feats is walking an 800-meter-long slackline suspended high between earth and sky.

Laughter, wonder, and amazement are guaranteed — for young and old alike.
You are warmly welcome!

…and elsewhere

19:00 Ensemble Rondellus “Sabbatum” at Niguliste Museum (Niguliste 3).

Presenting medieval adaptations of the famed rock band Black Sabbath’s music. Held at the Niguliste Museum (Niguliste 3). Admission fee: 15€, tickets available HERE.

About the performers

Poeta Magica (GER, USA) – Experience the Magic of the Moment!
This international ensemble has been a trailblazer in the world of medieval-inspired music since 1992, blending various musical styles to create what they call “medieval world music.”

Poeta Magica has performed across Europe — from Scandinavia and the Baltics to Italy — and has released around ten albums, appeared as guest musicians on numerous CDs and films, and composed music and soundscapes for various cinematic and television productions.

The group first performed in Tallinn twenty years ago and has returned many times since. “Tallinn is the most beautiful place in the world for our music,” they say.

Every concert by Poeta Magica creates an enchanting atmosphere — a lively and magical journey through lands and eras: from Sweden to the Celts, then further south, and from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

Line-up:

  • Kaija Meade – Celtic harp, nyckelharpa, davul, vocals

  • Saga Björling – Vocals, harp

  • Holger Funke – Nyckelharpa, mandocello, bagpipes, vocals

EstPipes Trio is a group of three Estonian bagpipe players — Kadri Allikmäe, Helery Kõrvemaa, and Merili Kask — all with backgrounds from the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy. During the Medieval Days, they will perform tunes from the Estonian bagpipe tradition as well as a few medieval pieces.

All three musicians are members of the ensemble Cätlin Mägi & EstPipes (see the album “The Crowning of the Bagpipe Queen”) and also collaborated on the joint album “Torupillikirjad” (Bagpipe Letters), based on Kadri Allikmäe’s Master’s thesis.

The Estonian bagpipe tradition dates back at least to the Middle Ages, according to historical sources. It’s unknown exactly how the instrument reached Estonia, but one thing is certain: almost every village had its own bagpipe player. The instrument was commonly heard in taverns, fairs, work bees, weddings, and dances. For centuries, it was essentially the only dance instrument for Estonians. Each player made their own instrument, giving every bagpipe its own unique sound. Today, bagpipes are made by specialized craftsmen, and they are designed to be tuned together, making ensemble playing possible. Both men and women now play the Estonian bagpipe.

Line-up:

  • Kadri Allikmäe – Estonian bagpipe

  • Helery Kõrvemaa – Estonian bagpipe

  • Merili Kask – Estonian bagpipe

Rondellus’ Sabbatum (2002) didst awaken great international acclaim and garnered plentiful praise. The ensemble was honoured with the Estonian Music Award in 2003 for Best Classical Music CD.

Through the years since, Rondellus hath performed Sabbatum upon request, both in Estonia and abroad, even as far as the Azores (2009). In the summer of 2025, Rondellus is summoned to present Sabbatum at Finland’s most prestigious medieval music festival, Sastamala Gregoriana. This doth provide a splendid chance to also bring this programme to Tallinn.

Rondellus performs in the following company:

  • Maria Staak: vocals, hurdy-gurdy

  • Eve Kopli: vocals, organetto

  • Johanna-Maria Jaama: fiddle, nyckelharpa

  • Anna-Liisa Eller: psaltery, recorders, bagpipes, percussion

  • Johannes Christopher Staak: vocals, recorders, hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes

  • Robert Staak: lute, percussion

Robert and Maria Staak speak thus:
Arranging the songs of Black Sabbath was, in truth, much akin to our daily craft with medieval manuscripts. First, we chose the songs and from these selected fitting material—chiefly melodies, somewhat harmony, and some guitar riffs. Our aim was not to replicate the originals note for note; indeed, entire sections of some songs were omitted. We treated the distilled essence as if it were a medieval source text.

In some songs, melodies were rendered with rhythmic freedom, following the text much as Gregorian chants are sung. Others adhere to the rhythmic patterns of medieval modes. Instrumental accompaniments were added to suit the moods.

In sum, we strove to follow the style of the 14th century, with exceptions such as Spiral Architect, arranged as a lute song from the 16th century, and A Hard Road, which bears a Renaissance air on the bagpipes.

SATURDAY, 12 July

The stage and market of the Town Hall Square 10:00-19:00

12:00 Kaari Uus on nyckelharpa
12:30 Honoring of the finest masters
13:00 Early music ensemble MAQAM
14:00 Early music ensemble Poeta Magica (GER -USA)
15:00 Kaari Uus on nyckelharpa
15:30 Early dance ensemble Soldans
16:00 Early music ensemble MAQAM
16:30 Early dance ensemble Soldans
17:00 Early music ensemble Poeta Magica (GER -USA)

Elsewhere

12:00-17:00 Sword fighting tournament “Reval Cup 2025” – the finest sword fighters will be determined in an intense competition, with participants from near and far.

Organized by: Historical sword fighting club Nordburg.

16:00 Organ Half-Hour at the Niguliste Museum (Niguliste 3), featuring organist Aivar Sõerd (main organ).
Admission with museum ticket: €15 / €9.
Program includes works by Girolamo Frescobaldi, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, and Dietrich Buxtehude.

Politician Aivar Sõerd completed his Master’s degree in music performance at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in 2018, studying organ under Professor Andres Uibo. He has served as organist at the Church of the Redeemer in Nõmme, and has performed in concerts, music festivals, and the Niguliste Organ Half-Hour series.

About the performers

Kaari Uus is a versatile musician with a passion for both medieval and folk music. Her main instrument is the Swedish “folk fiddle” — the nyckelharpa, which she will also be playing during the Medieval Days. Alongside music, Kaari is also captivated by travel and has often ventured across Europe with her instrument, performing as a street musician. The first records of street performers date back to the 11th century, making this a rather historically fitting practice. In her performance, audiences will hear a variety of pieces from medieval and Renaissance Europe, as well as traditional Swedish folk music composed for the nyckelharpa.

The ensemble MAQAM performs early music from both Europe and the Middle East, blending it with their own improvisations. Their repertoire includes traditional tunes and dances, as well as courtly and spiritual music from Turkey, Italy, Spain, Syria, Iran, and beyond. The concert features instruments such as the Turkish saz, Swedish nyckelharpa, various flutes and whistles, the Lithuanian birbyne, hand drums, the French bagpipe, and others.

The members of the ensemble are:
Kadi Maria Vooglaid,
Johanna-Maria Jaama,
Egon Punnison.

SUNDAY, 13 July

The stage and market of the Town Hall Square 10:00-17:00

12:00 Early music ensemble Poeta Magica (GER -USA)
13:00 Early dance ensemble Fioretto from Wesenberg
14:00 Early music ensemble Poeta Magica (GER -USA)
15:00 Early dance ensemble Fioretto from Wesenberg
16:00 TheOriental Caravan — Mystika Studio & companions.

Elsewhere…

16:00 Early music ensemble Targad Neitsid (Wise Maidens) presents the concert “In the Garden of Love” in the atmospheric Asuurkeraamika Tower (entrance from Tornide Square). TICKET 10€, that can be bought HENCE.

16:00 Organ Half-Hour at the Niguliste Museum (Niguliste 3), featuring organist Gustav-Leo Kivirand (choir organ).
Admission with museum ticket: €15 / €9.

Program:
Perotinus, Heinrich Isaac, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina,
Tomás de Sancta Maria, Girolamo Cavazzoni.

Gustav-Leo Kivirand completed his Master’s degree in organ performance at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in 2008 under the guidance of Professor Andres Uibo. He currently works as a freelance organist.

More about the performers:

The ancient dance ensemble Fioretto hath been active in Rakvere since the year of our Lord 2012. Under the guidance of Mistress Külli Kressa, they practise the courtly dances of the late Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque eras, mingled with some recorded civic traditions.

The Oriental Caravan — Müstika Studio & companions.
No proper medieval revelry would be complete without the Eastern dancers, who bring forth before the audience dances and songs from diverse cultures, including those of the travelling Roma, also called gypsies. The dance performance hath been crafted by Berit Aicha Kalling of Müstika Studio.

During the days of the Medieval Days, Tallinn can experience a flourishing Hanseatic atmosphere – a medieval market with traders and workshops takes place on the Town Hall Square, and on St Nicholas’ Hill you will find a village of craftsmen and a children’s area with workshops, a knight’s school and many other exciting things.

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