Siuru Cultural Centre is planned to open its doors in Tartu in 2030 and is set to emerge as one of the Baltic region’s most versatile cultural and conference venues. What makes Siuru unique is its concept. While similar cultural centres that combine event and exhibition spaces can be found across Europe, bringing together a conference centre, a city library and an art museum in one building in the very heart of the city is still a relatively rare solution. With the Siuru Cultural Centre, Tartu will gain a venue where conferences take place right in the city centre, in a building shared with everyday cultural life. This closeness allows organizers to connect the formal programme with Tartu’s vibrant and diverse cultural offerings, giving delegates the chance to experience what is uniquely Tartu – whether through an exhibition visit, a film screening, or a concert – and creating a conference experience where they are not separated from the city, but become an integral part of it.
The heart of Siuru’s event facilities is on the ground floor, home to the large hall, the small hall, and a rehearsal hall. The large hall can accommodate around 400 guests in a banquet setup, approximately 850 with a traditional stage layout and up to 900 participants in tiered seating. In reception format or for concerts, the space can host up to 1,500 guests. The 850 m² hall can also be divided into two separate spaces. The small hall seats 160 people and features projection surfaces on three walls, creating strong visual opportunities for presentations and hybrid events. The rehearsal hall can host around 120 participants. All three halls open into a spacious atrium that connects the conference area with the library and the art museum, offering a natural meeting place for breaks and networking.
One key advantage for event organizers is flexibility: the tiered seating in the large hall can be removed and the space reconfigured in about 30 minutes, allowing organizers to adapt quickly to different event formats. Thanks to the large hall’s ability to be divided into two, the ground floor effectively provides four separate halls, each equipped with soundproof walls. This enables up to four parallel sessions, presentations, or workshops, providing maximum flexibility for conferences and events. In addition to the main halls, the building offers a wide range of additional spaces for conferences and seminars. The library includes around 20 different types of collaboration rooms – such as a recording room and storytelling room – suitable for small meetings as well as workshops and discussions for 20–30 participants.
On the fourth floor, two cinemas operated by Elektriteater are set to offer 150 and 50 seats, respectively. Complementary spaces include areas for live music and a small stage, adding versatility to conference programming. The building also features a rooftop terrace with tribune seating for up to 200 guests, offering opportunities for film screenings, special events, and savoring warm summer evenings along the Emajõgi riverbank.
Catering solutions at Siuru are designed to be highly flexible. On the first floor, a self-service café-bistro will provide quick and convenient options, while the upper floor features a fine dining restaurant capable of serving larger groups. Both venues offer around 70 seats each (approximately 140 in total), with the possibility to expand capacity as needed. Additionally, four private dining rooms on the upper floor are available for smaller groups. The center does not impose exclusive catering rights, giving organizers the freedom to select catering partners that best suit their event format.
Siuru follows the “Open Stage” principle, with event halls professionally managed by the centes’s own team of technicians, producers, and event coordinators. The team collaborates closely with organizers throughout planning and delivery, ensuring conferences run smoothly both technically and programmatically, and that the best solutions emerge through cooperation. Conference bookings at Siuru are scheduled to open roughly one year before the center’ s grand opening, giving organizers ample time to plan their events in this unique city-center location.
The name Siuru is inspired by the mythical Siurulind mentioned in the Estonian national epic Kalevipoeg. Siurulind, the daughter of the god Taara, is described in ways that leave it unclear whether she was a bird, a maiden, or both at once. Sent by Taara to observe the world, Siurulind has also been interpreted as a bluebird – symbolizing dreams and inspiration. This rich symbolism lies at the heart of the Siuru Cultural Centre: a place where creative energy takes flight, transforming into new ideas through the synergy of local and international encounters.
More information: For detailed information regarding the Siuru Cultural Centre, conference and event organisers are welcome to contact the Director of Siuru Cultural Centre: Aavo Kokk (aavo.kokk@tartu.ee, https://www.tartu.ee/et/siuru)
For matters related to conferences and business tourism, please contact the Business and Conference Tourism Specialist: Maigi Lokko (maigi.lokko@visittartu.com, +372 5429 0508, www.visittartu.com)