The Collegium Educationis Revaliae (Old Town Educational College) is widely regarded as one of Estonia’s most important breeding grounds for the intellectual community. The stage productions of its theatre school graduates have become a natural – indeed indispensable – part of the HeadRead literary festival.
Under the guidance of the legendary actor and musician Tõnis Rätsep (b. 1947), young enthusiasts of poetry, music and theatre come together to present an impressive selection of fine literature, interspersed with musical performances. This year’s programme once again offers a wide-ranging selection, including both classics and contemporary authors, works originally written in Estonian as well as those translated into Estonian, and both serious and lighter tones.
As a small teaser: the young performers begin with Oskar Luts and conclude with Anna Haava; along the way they turn to Tammsaare and at one point to Lauri Räpp, while also weaving in a Seto folk song and even Frédéric Chopin. Taking the stage are Taavi Johannes, Herman Korp, Eva Kreem, Oskar Varik Kuldkepp, Lisete Lainas, Mairo Libba, Hugo Malmsten, Hans Henrik Miikre, Birgit Moks, Kristjan Mustonen, Romi Leen Niimann, Johannes Paist, Birk Parvelt, Mia Dolores Pavelson, Roosi Rütman and Loore Tilk.