Car-Free Avenue will be returning this summer with an even richer cultural programme and new activities
Tartu City Government Press Release
27 April / This summer, the section of Vabaduse Puiestee located in downtown Tartu will once again become car-free. With an even richer cultural programme and new exciting activities, Car-Free Avenue will be held this year from 9 July through 8 August.
‘Car-Free Avenue was one of the highlights of last summer. We decided to bring it back this year, so that Tartu’s residents and visitors could have a good time in the heart of the city. This year, Car-Free Avenue will also be expanded to the adjacent park, with the themes running through the month-long event being the urban space and the environment’, said Mayor Urmas Klaas.
The goal of Car-Free Avenue is to attract people to Tartu’s city centre to spend time safely, offering them an exciting cultural programme and activities that enliven the urban space.
Maris Peebo, programme manager for Car-Free Avenue, said that in the summer an even bigger water feature, along with a carousel, flower, food, and handicraft markets will be awaiting visitors. In the park you will find art and picnic tables, a skateboard park and a stationary summer stage, where the Tartu 2024 team is inviting musicians and DJs to perform. Those who wish can use the self-driving bus on Vabaduse Boulevard to reach Car-Free Avenue or the institutions located downtown.
‘There will be other ways to entertain yourself, in addition to the diverse concert programme. We are waiting for people to play tennis, learn sign language, and seniors to take part in their very own evenings filled with dancing, and music lovers to attend the Sunday wind music concerts, said Peebo.
This year, there are a number of solutions planned that invite us to think about the topic of the environment. Among other things, the soon-to-be-completed guide to environmentally friendly events in the City of Tartu will be implemented for the first time. An analysis of the direct environmental impacts of the event will be carried out later.
The organisers will be constantly monitoring the spread of the virus and use it as a basis for planning the programme. As was the case last year, activities and catering shall be organised in such a way that people are able to attend while remaining dispersed, and the area will include the possibility for visitors to wash their hands. Security guards help to prevent large gatherings.
As was the case last year, Vabaduse Puiestee will be closed to vehicles from the Kaubamaja (Department Store) car park to Kaarsild Bridge. The Tartu Turg (Market Hall) and the Department Store car parks will remain open. The detour for cars will be via Narva mnt. Information regarding traffic management will reach Waze and Google Maps through the Tark Tee app.
Car-Free Avenue is being organized by the Tartu City Government, Tiigi Society House and the Tartu 2024 Foundation, together with many good cooperation partners.
Over the one month period in 2020, more than 150,000 people visited Car-Free Avenue, which took place for the first time, and more than 200 events, performances, conversations, meetings, mini-concerts and workshops were held.
https://www.instagram.com/carfreeavenue/
Last changed 27.04.2021
