Tartu, Estonia’s second-largest city, is gearing up for an exceptional year as the European Capital of Culture in 2024. The city’s cultural program, ‘Tartu2024,’ boasts an impressive lineup of over 300 events and activities throughout the year, showcasing a diverse range of cultural experiences. This has not only garnered significant local interest but has also attracted a record-breaking number of international conferences.

The conference season begins in January with sTARTUpday, the largest business festival in the Baltics. With expectations of over 4,400 attendees, the three-day event features an extensive stage program, hands-on seminars, an innovation exhibition area, and various lively side events.

Tartu is set to host conferences by prestigious organizations, including the Science Fiction Research Association, the European Society for Intercultural Theology and Interreligious Studies, the Association of European Printing Museums, the Trans Europe Halles network, Learner Corpus Research, and the International Committee for Exhibitions and Exchange.

Academic events will also play a significant role, with conferences like the FOSS4G Europe Conference, the European Conference on Ecological Restoration, the BBBB conference on Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the International Symposium on Applied Phonetics.

Mayor Urmas Klaas expressed enthusiasm about the increased interest in conferences, stating, “Given the sheer number of prestigious international events coming our way in 2024, we can already call Tartu’s European Capital of Culture efforts a success, even before the year has begun.” He looks forward to welcoming influential entrepreneurs, academics, and creators to showcase the city and its unique charm. This bustling conference schedule reflects Tartu’s growing reputation as a vibrant hub for cultural and intellectual exchange.