News

On Tuesday, November 18, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, the third Music Estonia-led music industry day, SPOT, will take place at the Traditional Music Center in Viljandi. The aim of the day is to bring together local Viljandi music industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts to discuss the impact of music on the local culture, community, and the broader economy. Together, they will look at where the Estonian music sector as a whole is heading and what Viljandi’s role is in shaping it.

In Viljandi, the discussion will cover the careers of local artists, the Viljandi Folk Music Festival, as well as other festivals and community initiatives. At the heart of the discussion is Viljandi as an active student city, from which world-touring musicians have emerged. Throughout the day, several local initiatives and development directions that support Viljandi’s ambitions and international growth will be presented.

According to Tarmo Noormaa, the head of the Estonian Traditional Music Center, Viljandi is an excellent example of how cooperation in the music sector and community energy meet. “Events like SPOT help to strengthen Viljandi’s position as a music city – a place where creativity, education, and entrepreneurship intertwine, and new opportunities arise for both artists and organizers.”

Ave Demelemester, CEO of Music Estonia, adds: “With this SPOT series, we have reached our final destination in Viljandi – a city that widely nourishes our cultural management and provides a home for both established and new venues and music businesses. It is important to continue this synergy and to think together about activities that support it.”

During the day, there will be several presentations and panel discussions with representatives of companies and organizations operating in Viljandi. For example, we will discuss with the leaders of Viljandi’s concert venues such as Kati Velner from Sakala Center, Margit Kuhi from the Traditional Music Center, Mari Meentalo and Johannes Ahun from the new studio and venue MYRA, and Martti Muda from the Conservatory. We will talk about the life and times of festivals with August Skjoldby, the organizer of the Viljandi Guitar Festival, and Tarmo Noormaa, the head of the Traditional Music Festival. We will also hear about the journey of musicians who grew up and operate in Viljandi, such as artists Eleryn Tiit and Simone Minn.

“Viljandi is a fantastic city for creative people. The pace of life, the environment, and the local communities support the making of art and music. At the SPOT music industry day, we will meet with local musicians, find out who the organizers are, and the crucial support organizations for artists that help find outlets for their music. We will discuss how their cooperation works, what the challenges are, and what we should focus on more,” added August Skjoldby, the project manager for SPOT Viljandi.

Doors open with coffee at 1:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased from the Fienta platform.

Speakers will include (the list of participants is growing):

• August Skjoldby (Viljandi Guitar Festival)

• Ave Demelemester (Music Estonia)

• Eleryn Tiit (musician)

• Greten Lehtmaa (Greator Productions / Curly Strings manager)

• Henrik Ehte (Funk Embassy / Selektor Studio)

• Johannes Ahun (MYRA)

• Kati Velner (Sakala Center)

• Lisann Raid (Traditional Music Center)

• Mari Meentalo (MYRA)

• Marko Mägi (UT Viljandi Culture Academy, Head of Music Curriculum)

• Martti Muda (Conservatory)

• Simone Minn (musician)

• Tarmo Noormaa (Viljandi Folk / Traditional Music Center)

• Villem Varik (Fundamental)

The list of speakers is being updated and the exact schedule will be announced soon.

The SPOT series is organized by the music industry development center and export office Music Estonia, in partnership with the Viljandi Traditional Music Center. The aim of the seminar days is to extend the coverage of industry topics beyond Tallinn – to cities with an active cultural life that, in turn, form the basis for the functioning of the entire music sector. The SPOT music industry day series took place on September 23 in Pärnu and on October 28 in Tartu. The seminar is co-financed by the European Union.