Vanemuine

"Big house" of the Vanemuine

"Little house" of Vanemuine

This article is about the theatre in Tartu. For the mythological character, see Vanemuine (god).

Vanemuine (literal translation from Estonian: Eldermost) is a theatre in Tartu, Estonia. It is the first Estonian language theatre.

History

Vanemuine was founded as the Vanemuine Society (Vanemuise Selts) on 24 June 1865 following the idea of Johann Voldemar Jannsen. In 1869 Vanemuine Society organised the first song festival in Estonia. On 24 June 1870, the fifth anniversary of the society, a play called "The cousin from Saaremaa" ("Saaremaa Onupoeg") by Lydia Koidula was performed, marking the beginning of the Estonian national theatre and the theatre Vanemuine.

The theatre was originally located in a building on Jaama street. This building was destroyed in a fire in 1903. A new building, designed by Finnish architect Armas Lindgren, was opened in 1906 in Aia street (now known as Vanemuise street), which is when the theatre became professional. The opening event was led by Mihkel Lüdig.

In 1944 the building burned down as a result of the Second World War. The theatre subsequently moved to the building of the former Tartu German theatre, which is now a part of Vanemuine known as the "little house". In the former location a new building (with a different design), now known as the "big house", was built and opened in 1967, having a hall with 682 seats. A concert hall (842 seats) was opened in 1970. The little house was destroyed in fire in 1978 and was restored in 1991. The big house was renovated in 2012.

The Vanemuine Theatre is home to a ballet company.

External links

Official website

Coordinates: 58°22′35″N 26°43′27″E / 58.3763412°N 26.724152°E / 58.3763412; 26.724152

Tartu landmarks

Buildings and structures	Emajõe Business Centre University main building Kivisild Raadi Manor St. John's Church St. Paul's Church Supreme Court of Estonia Tartu Cathedral Tartu Old Observatory Town Hall Tigutorn Uppsala House Von Bock House

Precincts	City Centre Supilinn Karlova Tammelinn

Nature and parks	Toomemägi Botanical Gardens Emajõgi Anne Canal Raadi cemetery

Cultural institutions	Vanemuine Estonian National Museum Estonian Literary Museum Estonian Sports Museum Tartu Toy Museum

Science and education	University of Tartu Estonian Biocentre Tartu Observatory Baltic Defence College Estonian Aviation Academy Estonian University of Life Sciences (Estonian Institute of Zoology and Botany) Estonian National Defence College Tartu Art College

Sports	Tamme Stadium

Transportation	Tartu Airport Railway station Bus

Entertainment	AHHAA

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