The 2025 Draama Festival brought to Tartu an international delegation of nearly 40 theatre curators, who were treated to local flavours as part of the Tartu County Food Region programme. Organized by the Estonian Theatre Agency, the showcase festival gathered curators from more than 17 countries, strengthening the international visibility of Estonian theatre and enhancing Tartu’s reputation as a cultural city.
The curated food package highlighted the region’s tastes. The menu featured an open-faced sandwich on traditional black bread with egg butter and smoked ham prepared by Torditoimetus, accompanied by a blueberry-yoghurt smoothie. To drink, guests were offered A. Le Coq’s traditional lemonade – a favourite of Tartu residents for generations.
Local cuisine added a unique flavour to the festival programme, showing how Tartu’s culture and gastronomy complement one another. In 2025, this is especially significant as Tartu County holds the title of Estonia’s Food Region, and the “Year of Flavours” programme is helping raise awareness of the region while strengthening its position as a culinary and food tourism destination. This continues the legacy of Tartu 2024 European Capital of Culture by spotlighting local stories, skills, and tastes that keep visitors coming back to Tartu.