Baltoscandal is over for now. Nearly 5,000 visitors attended the theatre performances, festival club, book presentation, cinema, and Rakvere market. Thank you to all the artists, festival guests, and team members! May the moments, experiences, and joy we shared endure. We look forward to seeing you again in Rakvere in two years!
Photo gallery from the festival can be viewed here.
International performing arts festival Baltoscandal was opened in Rakvere on July 3rd. At the opening of one of the oldest and largest theater festivals in the Baltic States, the Minister of Culture Heidy Purga, Deputy Mayor of Rakvere Laur Kaljuvee, festival director Velvo Väli and artistic director Priit Raud spoke with welcoming words. This year's festival has a jubilee atmosphere, celebrating 30 years since the first Baltoscandal in the city of Rakvere. The opening performance of the festival "Järelsuve koor" ("Post-summer Choir") was given by the actors of the 31st class that just graduated from the EMTA School of Performing Arts. At the heart of the performance directed by Johhan Rosenberg is a choir that embodies the intermingling of cultures, the thirst for a new breath and the movement of protest. During the next five days, the Baltoscandal festival will feature the best theater in Estonia and the world, which offers an intensive cross-section of productions with a special theatrical language. 13 productions from 10 countries will be shown, and the audience will also be able to take part in a cinema program and a book presentation. The Baltoscandal festival takes place in Rakvere from 3rd to 7th of July. The festival presents innovative and non-mainstream forms of theater that are a benchmark in the entire field of performing arts. The festival is organized by Rakvere Theater and its artistic director is Priit Raud.
The Baltoscandal festival, which will be held for the 18th time this summer, has always included a festival club, where visitors can meet and discuss the last play they saw, doing it until early hours of the morning, accompanied by music. This year's festival club programme has been put together by Rakvere Theatre`s actor Rainer Elhi.
The festival club is open from 3rd to 6th of July from 11 pm in Rakvere Theater. On different evenings, DJs will perform, both from Rakvere Theater and the 31st class of the EAMT School of Performing Arts and surprise performers. There will be also two concerts.
At midnight on July 5th, White Girl will perform at the festival club. She is the alter ego of performance artist Elina Masing, who has gained fame on the alternative music scene in recent years. The artist's performances are performatively captivating and avant-garde. The musician's journey began as part of the band 5HORSES, and in 2020 he released his debut single "Tra pls" as a solo artist, which has collected over 40,000 listens to date. In recent years, the White Girl has been on tour with the duo Putan Club in Central Europe and has performed in dozens of cities. Elina Masing has directed collaborations with, for example, Kanuti Gildi SAAL and Tartu Elektriteater.
On the last night of the festival, July 6 at 1 o'clock, Mihkel Kuusk will give a live concert. As a solo artist, he plays with the sound of electropop music, using his voice, synthesizers and acoustic instruments (organ, drums). He creates a performative audiovisual whole on stage, where, in addition to music, space also plays a role.
Next Baltoscandal will take place 3rd-7th of July 2024.
Baltoscandal festival passes are sold out, individual tickets are on sale at Piletimaailm.
Festival pass will give access to all shows and events with tickets during the festival. If the same show is played on different times during the festival, then the time choice for the pass owners will be made by organizers.
Biannual festival Baltoscandal takes place 18th time and its the oldest international theatre festival in the Baltic countries. This year it is also 30 years since the festival has been held in Rakvere. Its artistic director is Priit Raud and it is organised by Rakvere Theatre.