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Foreign relations

Information about the City Council and the City Government
Raekoda, 51003 Tartu
+372 1789

Twin cities
Partner cities
Foreign Representations
Participation in the international organisations

Twin cities of Tartu

Tampere

Universities, theatres, companies and organisations in both cities had enjoyed cooperative relations prior to the first meeting of the official delegations of Tartu and Tampere in October 1990. The official cooperation agreement between the cities was signed on 22 September 1992. During recent years the creative industry and the development of public services have been the focus of cooperation. Special attention is also being given to smart-city projects.

Take a closer look

Tampere. Photo: Atacan Ergin
Tampere. Photo: Atacan Ergin

Turku

Tartu signed its first cooperation document with Turku on 21 June 1996. Villa Tammekann, situated in Tartu, was restored in cooperation between the University of Tartu and the University of Turku as well as the City of Tartu and the City of Turku. The villa mainly serves as the University of Turku’s place of representation and accommodation in Tartu. Turku was the European Capital of Culture in 2011.

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Turku. Photo: Ilkka Hemmila
Turku. Photo: Ilkka Hemmila

Hämeenlinna

Hämeenlinna has been Tartu’s partner city in the Nordic Chain since 1991. The Nordic Chain network consists of six cities, including Tartu. All of them come together every two years in one of the six cities.

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Hämeenlinna. Photo: Sofia Vahtokari
Hämeenlinna. Photo: Sofia Vahtokari

Uppsala

Friendly relations and cooperation between Tartu and Uppsala formally started with an agreement signed in 1988.

In the 2000s, cooperation centred on acquiring EU experience, joint projects, cooperation among Nordic sister cities and sharing Tartu’s e-Governance experiences with Uppsala.

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Uppsala. Photo: Paulina Bengtsson
Uppsala. Photo: Paulina Bengtsson

Veszprém

Tartu and Veszprém were initially linked from 1969-1975.

In 1971 the two cities signed an agreement to further enhance ties between them. Communication broke off in 1975, but the two cities rekindled their relationship in 1990 in Veszprém. Veszprém will be the European Capital of Culture in 2023.

Take a closer look

Veszprém
Veszprém

Kaunas

On 4 May 1993, Tartu and Kaunas signed a memorandum of good intent in the Lithuanian city.

They have worked very effectively together on youth work and cultural exchanges; young artists have engaged in joint projects; and the cities have exchanged experience regarding the organisation of international Hanseatic days. Kaunas will be the European Capital of Culture in 2022.

Take a closer look

Kaunas. Photo: Kazys Mikalauskas
Kaunas. Photo: Kazys Mikalauskas

Frederiksberg

On 18 July 1996, the City of Tartu and the Municipality of Frederiksberg signed a protocol of cooperation.

The two are connected via the Nordic Chain.

The network includes six cities: Bærum in Norway, Frederiksberg in Denmark, Hafnarfjörður in Iceland, Hämeenlinna in Finland, Uppsala in Sweden and Tartu in Estonia.

Take a closer look

Frederiksberg
Frederiksberg

Zutphen and Deventer

On 13 June 1990 the City of Tartu and the cities of Zutphen and Deventer signed a five-year cooperation agreement to enhance partnership and friendship.

In 2004 Tartu City Government and Tartu City Council reviewed the city’s cooperation with these partner cities and decided to declare Zutphen and Deventer official twin cities.

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Zutphen
Zutphen

Hafnarfjörður

Tartu and Hafnarfjörður were brought together as members of the Nordic Chain network. Every two years, representatives from each city meet at the Nordic Chain convention.

Hafnarfjörður is part of the Hanseatic League.

Take a closer look

Hafnarfjörður
Hafnarfjörður

Bærum

Tartu and Bærum are partners in the Nordic Chain network. The two have shared valuable experience regarding voluntary work, youth work, architecture, building and social aid.

Take a closer look

Bærum. Photo: Juni Folge
Bærum. Photo: Juni Folge

Lüneburg

A cooperation agreement was signed between the cities of Tartu and Lüneburg on 22 August 1993.

Lüneburg has been funding the restoration of St John's Church in Tartu for a number of years and has also contributed funds and experience to help create the Domus Dorpantensis foundation.

The cities are both members of the Hanseatic League.

Take a closer look

Lüneburg. Photo: Torsten Päschel.
Lüneburg. Photo: Torsten Päschel.

Ferrara

Tartu and Ferrara signed a protocol of cooperation on 17 March 1998.

Over time, the two cities have joined forces in various youth and cultural projects.

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Ferrara
Ferrara

Salisbury

A declaration of friendship between the cities of Tartu and Salisbury was signed on 21 May 1999.

Professor Richard Hoffman from Salisbury University has taught students at the University of Tartu as a visiting scholar.

Take a closer look

Salisbury. Photo: Rein Lindmäe
Salisbury. Photo: Rein Lindmäe

Rīga

Tartu and Rīga signed a declaration of cooperation on 14 March 2005.

The two cities have worked together on projects spanning culture, sports, tourism, marketing, entrepreneurship, health and welfare.

Take a closer look

Rīga. Photo: Nora Krevņeva
Rīga. Photo: Nora Krevņeva

Last changed 27.11.2023

Partner cities of Tartu

Aegina

Aegina and Tartu signed a declaration of cooperation on 2 June 2006.

Dimitris Kappos, a chef from Aegina, has attended the Twin Towns' National Cuisine Days in Tartu on multiple occasions, showcasing Greek dishes at the Entri restaurant.

City of Aegina

 

Aegina. Photo: Katerina Kamperi
Aegina. Photo: Katerina Kamperi

Siena

Tartu and Siena signed a declaration of friendship and partnership on 9 April 2010.

The cities have exchanged experience and worked together in the fields of health care, youth work, entrepreneurship, tourism and public administration.

Chefs from Siena have taken part in the Twin Towns' National Cuisine Days in Tartu.

The University of Tartu and the University of Siena both belong to the international Coimbra Group of universities based in Portugal.

City of Siena

 

Siena
Siena

Ningbo

On 11 April 2011 the cities of Tartu and Ningbo signed a declaration of friendship and partnership.

Mutual communication between the cities is frequent in spite of the distance between them. At the beginning of each year, a delegation from Ningbo visits Tartu to provide an overview of major events taking place in the Chinese city.

A delegation from Tartu, including a number of entrepreneurs and representatives from the University of Tartu, has also been to Ningbo to investigate opportunities there.

City of Ningbo

Ningbo
Ningbo

Gaziantep

Tartu and Gaziantep first came into contact in 2007 when both cities took part in an event forming part of the child-friendly cities project.

On 31 January 2014 they signed a declaration of friendship and cooperation.

Tartu Toy Museum was one of the sources of inspiration for the Turkish city when it set up its own toy museum.

Just like Tartu, Gaziantep is a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and has been awarded the title of City of Gastronomy.

City of Gaziantep

Gaziantep
Gaziantep

Kutaisi

Tartu and Kutaisi signed a memorandum of cooperation on 31 May 2017, to support, among other things, the economic and regional development of both cities, create cooperative relationships between institutions of higher education in Tartu and Kutaisi, and to share experiences in the field of e-governance.

City of Kutaisi

Kutaisi
Kutaisi

Last changed 11.04.2022

Foreign Representations in Tartu

Costa Rica

Honorary Consul Mr. Gunnar Kraft
Sõpruse pst 2
50050 Tartu
Tel. (+372) 730 7300
Fax (+372) 730 7301
[email protected]

LITHUANIA

Honorary Consul Mrs. Birute Klaas-Lang
Jakobi 2 IV floor
51004 Tartu
Tel. (+372) 737 5225, Mob. (+372) 506 9749
[email protected]
Website

HUNGARY

Honorary Consul Mr. István Bán
University of Tartu
Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics
Jakobi 2–422 (Finno-Ugric Library)
51014 Tartu
Tel. (+372) 608 5301, Mob. (+372) 506 9642
[email protected]
Website

SWEDEN

Honorary Consul Mr. Madis Kanarbik
Rüütli 1
51007 Tartu
Mob. (+372) 504 6570
Fax (+372) 744 1241
[email protected]
Website

FINLAND

Honorary Consul Mr. Verni Loodmaa
Hotel Pallas
Riia 4
51004 Tartu
Mob. (+372) 503 4722
[email protected]
Website

Peru

Honorary Consul Mr. Ricardo Elías Mateo Durand
Anne 75–18
50704 Tartu
Tel. (+372) 748 4724, Mob. (+372) 505 6365
[email protected]
Website

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet at the opening of the Swedish Honorary Consulate in Tartu on 22 November 2006.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet at the opening of the Swedish Honorary Consulate in Tartu on 22 November 2006.

Cultural Representations in Tartu

finnish institute in estonia

Tartu office
Ülikooli 11
51003 Tartu
Tel. (+372) 742 7319
Office hours:
12.00-18.00 Mon-Thu
10.00-16.00 Fri
[email protected]
Website

Tartu Institute of German Culture

Kastani 1
50409 Tartu
Tel. (+372) 742 2639
Office hours:
10.00-17.00 Mon-Fri
Library:
12.00-17.00 Tue
[email protected]
Website

Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia

Tartu branch
Raekoja plats 8
51004 Tartu
Tel. (+372) 504 6570
[email protected]
Website

Tampere HOUSE

Jaani 4
51007 Tartu
Tel. (+372) 738 6300
Fax (+372) 738 6301
[email protected]
Website

Tartu-Lüneburg Society

Narva mnt 104 (St Peter’s Church)
50303 Tartu
[email protected]
Facebook

 

Representations of Tartu abroad

Information Centre of the city of Tartu in Tampere (Tampere-Tartu Society)

Kulttuurikeskus Laikku
Keskustori 4
33101 Tampere
Tel. +358 44 2419 9636
[email protected]
Website

The Brussels Office of the Association of Municipalities of Estonia and the Association of Estonian Cities

Contact:
Representative of the Brussels Office of the Association of Municipalities of Estonia
European House of Cities, Municipalities and Regions
Square de Meeûs 1
4th floor
B-1000 Brussels
Belgium
Tel. +32 2 21 38 220
[email protected]
Website
 

Last changed 30.09.2024

The Union of Baltic Cities (UBC)
Website

The ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI)
Website

The European Social Network (ESN)
Website

The Lighting Urban Community International (LUCI)
Website

L’Union internationale des transports publics (UITP)
Website

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)
Website

City league The Hanse
Website

The Nordic Chain

The Xarxa FP
Website

 

 

Tartu has paid a lot of attention to the modernisation of the urban lighting system.
Tartu has paid a lot of attention to the modernisation of the urban lighting system.

Last changed 07.12.2020