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The Tallinn Maritime Days, held this year from 17 to 19 July, saw approximately 50,000 people attend events at Admiraliteedi Inlet, the Lennusadam seaplane port and along the cultural kilometre. The sailors who had come to Tallinn for the three days also appreciated the warm reception they received, and promised to return to the city whenever opportunity allowed. ”I’d heard a lot of good things about Tallinn, and this gave me the perfect chance to find out more about it – and about its port – for myself,” said Karl Zilmer, captain of the Danish vessel George Stage. “It really is great here.” The crew of the Sörlandet, the pride of Norway, constructed in 1927, shared Zilmer’s views.
Around ten historical sailing ships came to Tallinn for the Maritime Days as part of the Tall Ships Races 2009 – the George Stage (Denmark); the Sorlandet and the Christian Radich (Norway); the Grossherzogin Elizabet and the Roald Amundsen (Germany); the Lord Nelson (England); the Eendraht (the Netherlands); and the Kapitan Glowacki and the Frederik Chopin (Poland). Representing Estonia were the Lembit, the Suur Tõll, the Kalev, the Torm, the EVA-316, the Admiral, the Blue Sirius, the Runbjärn and the Lodi.
One of the most popular attractions at the Maritime Days proved to be the jazz area set up near Terminal C at the Port of Tallinn in cooperation with Jazzkaar. The Maritime Gala concert and ‘Seaside Story’ song and dance festival arranged and put on especially for the Maritime Days were also warmly received by those who attended. Another very popular event was the concert given by the Estonian ensemble Väikeste Lõõtspillide Ühing, which drew an enormous crowd to the Lennusadam seaplane port.
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Those who attended events at the seaplane port and at Admiraliteedi Inlet said that they were well pleased with the fish market that had been set up for the Maritime Days. Many suggested in fact that Tallinn should have a proper fish market operating all year round.
The Tallinn Maritime Days 2010 will be held next year from 16 to 18 July, once again at Admiraliteedi Inlet and the Lennusadam seaplane port, and also along Tallinn’s coastal promenade. By 2011, the year in which Tallinn will take on the title of European Capital of Culture, the Maritime Days will form the biggest event on the city’s waterfront. The Tallinn Maritime Days 2009 were a joint undertaking of the City of Tallinn, the Port of Tallinn, the Estonian Maritime Museum, the Estonian Historic Ship Society and the Tallinn 2011 Foundation and were led by the Tallinn 2011 Foundation.
The major sponsors of the event were Viking Line Eesti OÜ and the BLRT Group. Its partners were Estonian Pilot, Hansabuss, the Estonian Maritime Administration, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of the Environment, the Environmental Board, the Environmental Inspectorate, Jazzkaar, the Year of Innovation, the Energy Centre, the Estonian Maritime Academy and its Maritime College, the sailing ship Admiral and City Bike.
Thank you to everyone who attended, supported and helped to organise the event! See you at Tallinn Maritime Days 2010! Ahoy!
For more information, please send an e-mail to merepaevad@tallinn2011.ee or call +372 56 2011 09, Eva Saar.
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