International Tartu Early Music Festival ORIENT et OCCIDENT

Festival ORIENT et OCCIDENT has been held annually since 1996. The Festival has focused on early European and Oriental musical cultures. During the Middle Ages, the most important influence on European culture was exerted by the Arabic world. Yet, even farther links can easily be discerned, offering researchers most interesting material and thrill of discovery. Historical events and facts which we use to shape our knowledge and outlook are, of course, important. Still, they should not become an aim in themselves. There is much that can never be conclusively proved-hence it is important to develop a wider understanding of both the historical and the contemporary world. Different cultures offer us a wealth of useful knowledge, be it their particular techniques of playing an instrument or their set of methods for teaching music in general.
Festival Orient et Occident is an interdisciplinary event bringing together concerts, performances, exhibitions, lectures, study sessions and master classes. Among other things, it has always featured the Festival Club with its distinctive ambience. The aim of the Festival has been to create an artistic whole, which has led to many spontaneous joint sessions. We hope it will stay this way in the future.