TubIN Festival
28 September – 4 October 2026
Tartu, Tallinn, Alatskivi

Artistic Director Mihhail Gerts

Now in its sixth year, the festival dedicated to the works of Eduard Tubin explores a fundamental question for us all: who am I?

Tubin offers an answer through one of his most personal works, the Symphony No. 5, which features in this year’s programme. Written during his early years in exile while the composer was de facto stateless, the piece can be viewed as his true identity card. This is the only time in his symphonic cycle where, during such a dramatic period, he turned to Estonian folk music. Tubin masterfully constructed the work around the melodies of the song “Meil aiaäärne tänavas” (The lane by our garden) and the chorale “Öö lõpeb tääl” (The night ends here).

Drawing vitality and intellectual strength from national heritage—and feeling one’s roots with particular clarity during life’s most challenging moments—illustrates the profound significance folk music held for the composer. As an integral part of his self-definition throughout his creative journey, this theme serves as the thread connecting all of this year’s festival events. From the runic songs of Tubin’s birthplace to the ballet “Kratt”, we invite guests on a shared journey to explore the components of the composer’s identity and perhaps their own.

– Mihhail Gerts