Viljandi - a Summer City

In the year 2003 Viljandi celebrates its 720 anniversary. In 1238 town was mentioned for the first time, and due to its location at the crossroads of trade routes it became a member of Hanseatic League in the 14^th century.

The most famous event in town will be the Folk Music Festival. 11th festival takes place in July 24-27, 2003. There will be about 500 perfomers from Estonia and abroad and total expected audience will be over 10 000. For Estonians it is already impossible to imagine their summer without Folk Music Festival. The quiet small town changes totally during those days. Numerous concerts take place all over the town and you can hear a beautiful sound of different instruments and singers everywhere. The music instrument fairs, workshops and dance parties are also a traditional part of the festival.

Another annual tradition. Viljandi Old Music Festival takes place in July and brings an old music to the concert halls, churches and streets.

Days of the Hanseatic League together with handicraft fair, exhibitions and perfomances on the Hanseatic scene have been organized in Viljandi since 1991. Sport programmes, cultural events and activities for children have always been a part of the Hansa Days. 12th Viljandi Hanseatic Days take place on the 29th of May till 1 st of June. At the same time Mulgi Fair which shall present local economic life will be organised. All kind of enterprises are welcome to this fair to introduse their products and services.

Song concerts and dance festivals are natural part of the summer season in Viljandi. The castle ruins, lake in the primeval valley, cultural events as well as sport events. Running race around Lake Viljandi is the most famous sport competition. The first race around the lake took place in 1928. The race takes place on the 1 st of May and participants have to cover the distance of 12 kilometres. If you are already here, you can feel that here is something what makes you to come back again!