Glasperlenspiel Music Festival
July 8th – 13th, 2026
St. John’s church (Jaani kirik) – Jaani Str. 5, Tartu, Estonia
Art exhibitions (July 8th – 31st, 2026)
It has already become a tradition that live-painting takes place at the Glasperlenspiel concerts, and during the festival week, the initial blank white canvases are transformed into artworks, that will decorate the church walls until the end of July. In previous years, the painters have been Liis Koger, Heleliis Hõim, Mark Kostabi, Anna Litvinova, Tarrvi Laamann, Mirjam Hinn, and Navitrolla. Let’s see through whose brushstrokes the opuses performed at the concerts and the magical vibrations they create will be captured this time… In any case, the paintings will remain as an exhibition on the walls of the church until the end of July, but those who wish, can acquire the painting of their choice at the auction at the end of the festival.
ERP’s only collaboration with Robin Nõgisto, who was still young at the time, took place about a dozen years ago, when he participated in the production of the DVD In the Mystical Land of Kaydara as a video artist, but this time in a completely new context.
Robin Nõgisto is one of the most unique artists of his generation on the Estonian contemporary art scene. Nõgisto, who graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2017, manages to stay in balance on the narrow border between institutional and subculture with the skill of a tightrope walker. His unique pop-psychedelic style is unmistakably recognizable – detailed compositions, often in neon tones, where symbols of pop art are intertwined with nightmarish figures as if from another world. Beneath the iridescent layer of surface, one can sometimes sense a social critique that condemns immoderate global consumption. In addition to canvases, the artist’s trademark has become monumental murals, as well as activities in the sphere of video art, which are characterised by a certain rock-like or even punk-like power. All in all, Robin Nõgisto is a top professional with the image of a “bad boy”, who has been embraced by puritanical art critics, museum collections and contemporary pop art freaks alike.
Nõgisto has been nominated for the AkzoNobel Art Prize three times and in 2024 he received this coveted award. Her solo exhibition in Paris was selected for the 2024 Olympic Games’ cultural programme Olympiade Culturelle.
See full festival program
Organizers:
Peeter Vähi – artistic director
Tiina Jokinen – executive director
Kadri Kiis – producer, accountant
Mart Kivisild – design
Olavi Sööt – co-producer, video, logistics
Reno Hekkonens – marketing director, PR
Johannes Vähi – co-producer, webmaster, sound engineering, logistics
Rebeca Birk – social media
Special thanks: Tartu City Government, Urmas Klaas, Triin Käpp, Jana Raud, Ministry of Culture of Estonia, Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Heino Eller Music College, Kadri Leivategija, Tõnis Tamm, Canon and Overall, St John’s church, Kaupo Kiis, Kristel Leppik, volunteers
