The House of the Known Unknowns
On September 2nd, 2024 the Estonian Theatre Agency will open a centre for Estonian dramaturgy at the Tartu German Culture Institute, called the House of Known Unknowns (Äratundmishetkede Maja in Estonian). The centre will operate during the Draama Festival and will remain open until September 7th, 2024.
The House of Known Unknowns allows audiences – both local and foreign – to get to know Estonian drama in depth. An interactive exhibition, created in collaboration between the Estonian Theatre Agency and artist Illimar Vihmar, will be open for the whole week, reflecting the journey of becoming an author and seeking, among other things, the answer to the eternal question of where inspiration comes from. In addition to the exhibits, there is a pop-up library where you can borrow plays from the Tartu City Library’s collection.
The second half of the week, on September 5th and 6th, will see a unique play-reading marathon in the House of Known Unknowns. During the marathon, which will run from morning till evening, actors will read out excerpts from 30 Estonian plays. The marathon will be divided into 10 blocks, each of which will include three plays from a different era, offering an opportunity to discover new connections between the texts and narratives running through Estonian theatre history. The plays have been selected and grouped by dramaturgs Anne-Ly Sova (Endla Teater) and Sven Karja (Teater Vanemuine), and the readings will be directed by eight well-known Estonian theatre artists as well as two foreign performers.
As the entire meta-programme of the Drama Festival will be concentrated in the House of Known Unknowns, the programme will also include book presentations and public discussions, as well as a closing party on September 7th. The Estonian Theatre Agency – the main mediator and promoter of Estonian dramaturgy – celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2024 with the House of Known Unknowns.
The events of the House of Known Unknowns will be in Estonian with English translation.
The project is a part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 main programme.
Timetable
The exhibition of the House of Known Unknowns will be open at the Tartu German Culture Institute from September 2nd to 7th: on September 2nd at 14:00–21:00, September 3rd and 4th at 11:00–21:00, September 5th and 6th at 11:00–22:00, September 7th at 11:00–21:00.
Other events taking place at the house are listed below.
September 2nd
15:00 Book launches: Teatrielu 2023 and the Estonian translation of Postdramatic Theatre by Hans-Thies Lehmann (in Estonian)
September 3rd
16:00 Opening ceremony of Draama Festival and the House of Known Unknowns
17:00 Guided tour at the exhibition (in Estonian)
18:00 Guided tour at the exhibition (in Estonian)
September 4th
11:00 Baltic Drama Forum panel discussion on Baltic dramaturgy (in English)
14:00 Guided tour at the exhibition (in Estonian)
17:00 Book launch: compilation of the best works from the playwriting competition 2023 (in Estonian)
18:30 Reading of Rudo Verner Vallner’s play, developed in the mentoring programme of Estonian Theatre Agency and mentored by Ivar Põllu
September 5th: play-reading marathon*
12:00–13:30 THREE WOMEN – Judith by A. H. Tammsaare, Colonel’s Widow by Juhan Smuul, and The Bridge by Jaan Tätte (directed by Maria Peterson)
Three fictional female characters created by male authors. Tender, strong, enigmatic, independent, passionate, going through fire and water for their truth and justice. Three nuts to crack for the directors and three dream roles for every actress.
14:00–15:30 THREE DEPARTURES – The Faith in Emperor by Henrik Visnapuu, The Colours of Clouds by Jaan Kruusvall, and The Suitcase by Eero Epner and Riina Maidre (directed by Birgit Landberg)
People have left Estonia because of faith, power, love, painful memories. Is the pain of loss greater for those who stay than for those who go? The burden of memories bites and weighs. Empty lands and houses cry out for their habitants.
16:00–17:30 THREE ARRIVALS – Against the Water by Christian Rutoff, Cinderellagame by Paul-Eerik Rummo, and Return to Father by Madis Kõiv (directed by Ivar Põllu)
Significant places call us back irresistibly. Even when everything seems to be finished. Perhaps something is still unfinished, someone is still waiting, the finishing touches still to be drawn? Or are the most important answers to the question of why things are the way they are hiding there?
18:30–20:00 THREE STORIES OF COMING OF AGE – The Idler by Hugo Raudsepp, Phaeton, the Son of the Sun by Mati Unt, and Emesis by Heneliis Notton (directed by David Sandqvist (Finland))
These are not youth stories in the usual sense, but stories about a young person who has fallen into a new, unfamiliar role. Even though one would so much like to go back to a carefree childhood. A dramatic turning point in life, which has always interested playwrights.
20:30–22:00 THREE STORIES OF BRINGING ESTONIAN ART TO EUROPE – The Unattainable Miracle by Eduard Vilde, Parrot Days by Andrus Kivirähk, and Sick Badger by Priit Põldma (directed by Karl Koppelmaa)
Nothing is more effective in boosting the self-esteem of a small nation than a message from the large world about our fitness in the fine arts. We like it as much as a cat likes catnip. What could anyone have against that? Not unless the advertising slogans are attached to a fool’s cap.
September 6th: play-reading marathon*
12:00–13:30 THREE STORIES OF FREEDOM – Werewolf by August Kitzberg, Bridge Over the Sea by Ilmar Külvet, and Same Words, Another Tune by Piret Jaaks (directed by Johan Elm)
Freedom is a human right and a basic need. Freedom means responsibility. Where are you inviting me, asks Margus from Tiina in Kitzberg’s Werewolf. What freedom can we talk about when our country’s freedom has been taken away, ask each other the foreign Estonians during the times of the USSR. Can we still be free when we’ve been without it for so long, Estonians ask during the return of a free Estonia.
14:00–15:30 THREE WRITERS – Koidula: a Play About a Woman Who Wanted To Be Like Other Women by Hella Wuolijoki, The Man Who Cannot Fit on a Stone by Vaino Vahing, and Liivs by Toomas Suuman (directed by Kaili Viidas)
A writer sitting at a desk is not an extraordinary stage scene. But how do you capture the flickering, quivering spirit of the writer on the stage? And yet, Estonian playwrights have succeeded in doing so on several occasions.
16:00–17:30 THREE TALES OF FOUR KINGS – Four Kings by Artur Adson, Four Kings’ Day by Jaan Kaplinski and Kings. A Play From 1343 by Tiit Aleksejev (directed by Liis Aedmaa)
A myth from the 14th century tells how four kings of Estonia gathered in the heart of Estonia during the St. George’s Night uprising to demand justice, only to be treacherously killed. This myth has been echoed in a number of Estonian plays over the ages, building a bridge to its own time. Would we be wiser, stronger, smarter with today’s knowledge?
18:30–20:00 THREE STORIES OF MONEY – God of Mammon by August Kitzberg, St. Susan or The School for Masters by Enn Vetemaa, and “Business As Usual” by Mehis Pihla (directed by Gildas Aleksa (Lithuania))
The subject of money excites us all. It always has. In addition to things, money also buys power and love. Money influences relationships, destinies, ways of thinking. A lot of money at once can take away one’s sanity as well as friends. It’s horrible and comical at the same time. Lots of material for a great drama.
20:30–22:00 THREE STORIES OF LOSING YOURSELF – The Dream of Pärmi Jaak by Johann Woldemar Jannsen, The Lost Son by Egon Rannet, and Out Of Your Depth by Paavo Piik (directed by Elise Metsanurk)
A physically missing person is a tragedy that can also have a happy ending. But when a person is lost to themself, there is nothing to be done. Modern games with identity can be very dangerous, even if they provide valuable material for theatre.
September 7th
12:00 Guided tour at the exhibition (in Estonian)
14:00 Guided tour at the exhibition (in Estonian)
20:00 Guided tour at the exhibition (in Estonian) and closing of the house
September 8th
13:00 Closing discussion of the Baltic Drama Forum (in English)
* The play-reading is in Estonian with English translation. You can access the translation via QR code onsite or receive a printed version.
More events to be announced!