Tirin – Tartumaa series of food events

11th of May Fish buffet day on the Onion Route➚

If the local Peipsi onion takes place of pride on the autumn buffet day, in the spring, fishing on the shores of the lake Peipsi is in full swing. That is why local residents open buffets in their homes, where at least one main dish is made of fish from Peipsi. On the same day, the Varnja Fish Fair will take place and Kolkja and Varnja harbours will be open as part of the Open Fishing Harbours Day. Buffets are open from 11-17. On the same day, various other activities take place in local tourist sites and businesses – concerts, workshops, exhibitions, etc.

Cash would come handy as in some places you can only pay in cash. You can bring your own food utensils (a cup for water and a fork and spoon) – this way you save the environment.The event takes place in any weather. If the weather is wet, each buffet offers a shelter (shed or tent or something else). However, wear layers so that you are neither hot nor cold. Take a look at the video from last year!

14th of May Let’s meet at the bakery – meatballs and rum cake➚ (only in Estonian)

The Agricultural Museum’s midweek meet-up “Let’s meet at the bakery” is a great opportunity to spend the morning in a jovial company. Together we prepare delicious food and share tips on how to cook in a fun and affordable way. We enjoy the food we prepared and share our thoughts at the common table. After cooking, we will do some crafting. Each gathering has a separate theme for both food and crafts. The workshop is primarily intended for the elderly who miss socialising and doing fun activities together.  

16th of May Spring Fair: from the pot to the stomach and jars➚

The Spring Fair in the magical world of the Pääsupesa promotes a healthy and environmentally friendly lifestyle. There are activities for everyone: you can have fun, make crafts, play music, play sports, enjoy a concert, buy lottery tickets, visit cafes and sales stalls. We offer hot soup we prepared together, which you can consume immediately or take away in a jar. Bring your reusable tableware: a drinking bottle, a plate, a spoon and a jar. Come visit us preferably on foot, by bus or bike. Let’s save nature together and reuse! Pääsupesa residents care and donate 50% of the profit from the fair to the charity organisation Minu Unistuste Päev. The rest of the profit will go to our children – we wish to purchase our own firepit, greenhouse or kitchenette.   

19th of May The opening event of Luke Manor with a cafe day➚ (website only in Estonian)

The summer season of Luke Manor opens with a cafe day on a wonderful Sunday in May. The lottery, musical interludes and various activities for both children and nature lovers will bring variety to the day. In the manor park, different and original cafes of the local area are open, where you can taste delicacies prepared with care and love using the recipes of the local women.    

23rd of June Cake Auction

Every year, Luunja Country Women’s Society holds a cake auction at Luunja Midsummer Celebration. The proceeds of the auction go to charity. 

11th of August The Delicious Food Route➚

Drive about 15 minutes from Tartu and you’re there. Embark on the almost 8 km long food tasting journey in Kastre municipality from Suurekivi crossroads to Sillaotsa school or vice versa. The gates and in some places the doors of the homes open to the home cafes that offer delicious local flavours. There is a selection of both savoury and sweet, as well as soft and crispy delicacies.In some places, you can listen to the music while enjoying your meals, in other places you can chat with the hosts or your children can have fun on the playground. Come and find out what is on offer in home cafes and bring your friends along as well! 

7th of September Buffet day on the Onion Route➚

There are open gardens and courtyards, local food prepared with love and care, enjoyable meetings and a cultural programme. In mid-September, locals open the doors to their lovely homes and offer the food using best recipes handed down from generation to generation. It is a day full of joy, good local food and meet-ups with old friends and interesting local people.Locals open their yards and gardens, they cook and bake, clean and build. Welcoming buffets open their doors from Varnja to Ranna and from Haavakivi village to Nina village. Buffets are open from 11-18, almost all buffets have activities for children and besides tasty flavours, there are things on offer for other senses (exhibitions, performances) as well.  

14th of September Ülenurme Autumn Fair and Livestock Exhibition Tõuloom➚

On the first Saturday of September, the Ülenurme Autumn Fair and the Livestock Exhibition Tõuloom will take place at the Estonian Agricultural Museum featuring the magnificent livestock! You can see various farm animals in the arena, including cattle, horses, sheep, rabbits and quail. The demonstrations of sheep shearing and hand milking will be organised. There is a traditional autumn fair, selling farm food, handicrafts, seedlings and other exciting things. Food lovers can participate in workshops, children can have fun in the children’s area and families can enjoy musical performances from various groups.

14th of September Kavastu Ukha and Fish Festival➚

The Kavastu Uhka and Fish Festival starts with the fish soup cooking competition in the Kavastu manor park. Teams are judged by a professional jury – on serving, appearance and taste among other things. Pre-registered teams of three can participate and the competition is time-limited. The organisers give the competitors a packet of fish and firewood necessary for making a fire. In addition to the fish soup competition, there will be several fishing-themed and aquatic life-introducing workshops for all age groups. Musicians set the mood and get the party going. The unique Kavastu raft is open.  

21st of September Dinner in the Castle – Food Culture on the Onion Route➚

There are five high-quality drinking training dinners, where we introduce the participants to local flavours, both food and wine. As each dinner is new and different, attendees are offered a unique experience every time. The acquired knowledge helps the participants to develop their palates and apply what they learned in their work, for example when developing the menus of their catering company.

30th of September – 5th of October Open dining halls in Elva municipality

For a week, anyone interested can visit the Elva municipality dining halls, where they are offered a school lunch. It brings people closer to school lunches and dispels myths from the old days that said school food was bad. The week of open dining halls culminates with a family day, which brings together local farmers and entrepreneurs who offer their produce to both private individuals and caterers. You can find food-themed activities for both children as well as grown-ups – from workshops to theatre.  

Sept-Nov 2024 Cookery School

The Cookery School series of the Agricultural Museum is a good opportunity to test delicious recipes, share tips and enjoy great food experiences in good company. Cooking enthusiasts of all ages are welcome. At every meeting, we delve into a new and exciting topic. Take a look at photos and video.

Sept-Nov 2024 Let’s meet at the bakery

The Agricultural Museum’s midweek meet-up “Let’s meet at the bakery” is a great opportunity to spend the morning in a jovial company. Together we prepare delicious food and share tips on how to cook in a fun and affordable way. We enjoy the food we prepared and share our thoughts at the common table. After cooking, we will do some crafting. Each gathering has a separate theme for both food and crafts. The workshop is primarily intended for the elderly who miss socialising and doing fun activities together.  

5th of October Nature Barge Cranberry Trip➚

We will start and finish the cranberry trip at the RMK Kantsi campfire site. We will sail downstream along the primeval Emajõgi River going through Suursoo, take a peek into Lake Peipsi and then continue to the unique Praaga village on the mainland, accessible only by water, to pick cranberries, the vitamins for the winter. There is a nature guide on board who will tell you about the ship and the shoreline. We offer tea and coffee on the barge and you can bring your own picnic food. Be sure to bring a basket for berries and wear tall wellies!   

November 2024 Flavours of the Onion Route. From Old Believers’ tea to craft wines

Together with the guide, you will visit five local service providers in one day. In addition to the three local cultures (Russian Old Believers, Estonian peasant culture and Baltic German manor culture), each place offers characteristic food and/or drink and the hosts talk about the local food culture. Guiding is offered according to need and possibility in English or Estonian, service providers speak mostly in English.

22.07.2023 Äksi [Pre]opinion Festival FOOD and ENVIRONMENT➚, take a look at the photos and video

13.08.2023 The Delicious Food Route➚, take a look at the photos and video

2.09.2023 Ülenurme Autumn Fair and Livestock Exhibition Tõuloom➚, take a look at the photos and video

9.09.2023 Kavastu Ukha and Fish Festival➚, take a look at the photos and video

26.09.2023 Let’s meet at the bakery➚

27.-28.09.2023 Cooking workshops: How to prepare more planet-friendly food➚

7.10.2023 Nature Barge Cranberry Trip➚

10.10.2023 South Estonia Food Conference “From Farm to School”➚, take a look at the photos

14.10.2023 The Cookery School➚, take a look at the photos and video

26.10.2023 Dinner in the Castle – Food Culture on the Onion Route➚, take a look at the video 

31.10.2023 Let’s meet at the bakery➚