On August 29, Tallinn will celebrate Baltic Sea Day with a series of activities near Linnahall, including clean-up efforts, workshops, and a discussion on the state of the Baltic Sea. The day will culminate in the opening concert of the Linnaruumifestival (Urban Space Festival) and a special performance titled "How to Look at the Sea." Additionally, Põhja-Tallinn District and World Cleanup Estonia are organizing a major cleanup event and environmental hike at Pikakari Beach and the Paljassaare Peninsula.

According to Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski, the Baltic Sea has historically been integral to Tallinn’s identity, playing a significant role in the city’s development. "The Baltic Sea has given us much, and it is our duty to care for its well-being. Everyone can do something small to protect the Baltic Sea, whether it’s disposing of litter properly, participating in clean-up efforts, or taking steps to reduce household chemicals or pharmaceutical waste entering the sea," Ossinovski emphasized.

The Baltic Sea Day events at Linnahall will begin with a clean-up operation at 15:00, and participants are encouraged to register by August 26. The waste collected from the seashore will be sorted and sent to the Paljassaare Waste Station for recycling.

For families and children, there will be various environmental education workshops next to Linnahall. The TalTech Institute of Marine Systems will showcase their research on microplastics and benthic fauna. "Prügihunt" will teach waste sorting and recycling, while the Estonian Maritime Museum will offer craft activities and meet-the-expert sessions with marine archaeologists. The Estonian Museum of Natural History will feature a flash exhibit on Baltic Sea species, and the Finnish Embassy will present the circular economy exhibition "Greener Choices." Participants can also take part in a quiz with Finnish-themed prizes. Tallinn Central Library will be on hand with books available from a cargo bike.

At 17:00, there will be a panel discussion titled "Looking Into the Baltic Sea," featuring TalTech researcher and marine ecologist Mariliis Kõuts, Ministry of Climate maritime advisor Eda Andresmaa, marine biologist and Estonian Maritime Museum education curator Helene Uppin, and Sirje Sildever, head of the Marine Ecology Laboratory at TalTech's Institute of Marine Systems. The discussion will be moderated by Heidi Hanso.

At 18:00, the Linnaruumifestival’s (Urban Space Festival) opening concert will begin, featuring the Tallinn Police Orchestra's swing band and soloists.

The day will conclude with a performative observation by the Institute of Meetings & Non-Meetings titled "How to Look at the Sea?," which shifts the focus away from Tallinn's postcard silhouette and immerses the audience in the sea. What do we truly see when we look at the sea, and what does the sea see when it looks back at us? The observation will be guided by Jan Kaus, Oliver Issak, Mirtel Pohla, and Jan Teevet.

On the same day, World Cleanup Estonia, in collaboration with the Põhja-Tallinn District, will organize a large cleanup campaign and environmental hike at Pikakari Beach and the Paljassaare Peninsula. The cleanup will begin at 13:00, followed by the hike at 15:00.

Baltic Sea Day is an annual event aimed at raising awareness about the history, culture, and environment of our home sea. Last year, when Tallinn was the European Green Capital, the city organized the "Save Our Sea" campaign, which included over 90 cleanup and environmental awareness events in 45 municipalities around the Baltic Sea, as well as several awareness campaigns.

For more details on the Baltic Sea Day schedule, click here.

Photos: European Green Capital Office