TAVA26
TARTU LIGHT BIENNIAL 22.-24.10.2026
Tartu Light Biennial, or Tartu Light TAVA26, is a comprehensive, international, and interdisciplinary flagship event for contemporary light art and lighting design. It enriches both public spaces and exhibition halls, encourages the reduction of light pollution, fosters sustainable solutions for biodiversity, and transforms Tartu into a radiant, thought-provoking Capital of Light during dark autumn evenings.
The main events of TAVA26 will take place at the University of Tartu Botanical Garden on 22–24 October 2026. However, the preceding workshop week (16–21 October 2026), the Finnish light artists' exhibition "Light of Shadow" at the Pallas Gallery (21 October–21 November 2026), and several satellite exhibitions (such as exhibitions by Evelyn Grzinich and Estonian glass artists at the Botanical Garden, 21 October–19 November) transform TAVA into a month-long festival.
The main program of TAVA26 consists of architectural lighting workshops, outdoor installations, concerts ja indoor exhibitions. In addition, we collaborate with Tartu's cultural institutions and businesses, whose activities can be found in TAVA's side program.
The TAVA26 light axis begins at the University of Tartu Botanical Garden, moves to Thalia Cinema, and continues to the Pallas Gallery, the Natural History Museum, and up to Toome Hill, to the ruins of the Dome Church.
MAIN CONCEPT
ANTIMATTER
At the beginning of time, immediately after the Big Bang, matter and antimatter were born in equal amounts. Theoretically, the cosmos should be a balanced mixture of the two, yet observations indicate that our universe consists almost exclusively of matter. This fundamental asymmetry is one of the greatest mysteries of modern physics.
Metafoorselt võib antiainet vaadelda kui jõudu, mis seab kahtluse alla väljakujunenud maailmakirjelduse. See pakub võimaluse binaarse mõtlemise lagunemiseks: mustvalge maailmapilt kaotab oma teravad piirid, tehes ruumi nüansirikkale ja mitmekesisele reaalsusele. Kui füüsikas viib mateeria ja antiaine kohtumine annihileerumiseni ja energia vabanemiseni, siis kultuurilises plaanis tähistavad need kokkupõrked arengut.
TAVA26
Programme
01
LIGHT INSTALLATIONS
View the installations
02
CONCERTS
Watch concerts
03
EXHIBITIONS
See exhibitions
04
WORKSHOPS
Check out workshops
05
SIDE PROGRAM
See side programme
TICKET PRICE
Choose a suitable evening on Fienta. Come and be a part of a world of light, where autumn nature, wondrous light art, lighting design, and good music come together.
Single admission to the Light Biennale area at the Botanical Garden on an evening of your choice.
10€
Discounted ticket for a member of a large family (with a Family Card)
8€
For preschool-aged children and the accompanying person of a visitor with special needs
FREE
3-day ticket
25€
ARCHIVE
Tava highlights
COLLABORATION
JOIN US
TAVA is a unique opportunity to connect your brand with an international light art festival. Join as a sponsor, partner, or volunteer.
