From 4 to 7 June, FestiSkills project will have an observation event in Viljnadi in Estonia, which will bring together cultural and creative event organizers, community leaders and experts.
Over the four days, they participanst will learn about the practices of organizing cultural events in Viljandi and explore how community-based festivals and events can support stronger collaboration, volunteer involvement and community resilience. The program focuses on learning through experience. Participants will visit the Estonian Traditional Music Center, where they will learn about the center’s activities and community projects, participate in workshops and discuss topics such as youth engagement, international networks and event organization. They will also explore how the city and the community work together to organize major events.
As an important part of the program, guests will also participate in the opening ceremony of the Viljandi Hanseatic Days, where they will observe the organization of the event, visitor movement, visual identity and the role of volunteers. The experiences gathered during the observation will be analyzed together in workshops, where topics such as the volunteer system, visitor experience, accessibility and sustainability of events will be discussed. In addition to practical tasks, participants will also be able to try out creative solutions – for example, creating event teaser videos and image stories and mapping visitor personas.
The program offers an opportunity to learn, share experiences and make new international contacts. The aim of the FestiSkills Hunters observation event is to support the development of the skills of cultural and community event organizers and to highlight how festivals and creative initiatives can strengthen community cohesion and cooperation. Viljandi, with its active cultural life and strong sense of community, offers an inspiring environment for this.
The lead partner of the project is the Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation and the Finnish partner is The Black & White Theatre Association. The project is funded by the Central Baltic Programme 2021–2027. The project duration is May 2025 to August 2026. More information about the project https://ctc.ee/activities-and-projects/running/festiskills-hunters
Contact: Ederi Ojasoo, project manager ederi.ojasoo@gmail.com