For a town its size, Pärnu has a lot happening on the cultural front – particularly in summer when festivals cater to the thousands of visitors that flock here.
Mai Cinema
Address : H-4, Papiniidu 50,
tel. (+372) 511 01 00,
email: mai.kino@neti.ee,
website : www.maikino.ee.
Pärnu’s only active cinema has one screen and shows a mix of cultural and Hollywood films.
Tickets are a mere 35 to 65kr.
Open . Closed Mon.
Art galleries
City Gallery (Linnagalerii)
Address : B-1, Aida 4, in the Pärnu Concert Hall,
tel. (+372) 445 58 88/(+372) 443 64 33,
email : info@linnagalerii.ee,
website : linnagalerii.parnu.ee.
A single room inside the modern concert hall, but it nevertheless manages to hold some impressive exhibitions. Drop by to see what Estonia’s newest generation of artists is up to.
May 11 – June 12: Tarrvi Laamann;
June 17 – July 17: Exhibitions “Meie Leidikud†and “Pearls of Pärnuâ€;
July 20 – Aug 21: Roman Koržov (Russia), Rima Maroun (Lebanon);
Aug 26 – Sept 25: Anne Rudanovski, Avo Ermel.
See website for further exhibitons.
Open 10:00 – 18:00, Sat 10:00 – 16:00. Closed Sun.
Museum of New Art (Chaplin Centre)
Address : B-3, Esplanaadi 10,
tel. (+372) 443 07 72,
email : chaplin@chaplin.ee,
website : www.chaplin.ee.
Originally named for the famous silent film star Charlie Chaplin, this cultural centre in a former
Communist Party headquarters is a large, cutting-edge venue teeming with activity. Apart from being home to the Pärnu New Art Museum itself, the centre includes a lobby internet café, video and CD room, foreign language library and art shop.
Through May: Estonian Painters Association annual exhibition;
June through August: 17th International nude art show “Man & Womanâ€;
July 11 – 25: 24rd Pärnu International Documentary and Anthropology Film Festival.
Open 09:00 – 21:00.
Pärnu Artists’ House Gallery
Address : B-3, Nikolai 27,
tel. (+372) 443 64 33,
email : info@linnagalerii.ee,
website : linnagalerii.parnu.ee.
Several artists’ studios and a gallery make their home in this 1930s house.
April 27 – May 22: Johnny Amore (Germany);
May 25 – June 19: Kuzja Zverev;
June 22 – July 17: Pusa;
July 20 – Aug 21: Nelya Koržova (Russia);
Aug 24 – Sept 18: Janno Bergmann.
Open 12:00 – 18:00, Sat 12:00 – 16:00. Closed Mon, Sun.
Punane Torn Art Gallery
Address : B-2, Hommiku 11
tel. (+372) 443 46 11
email : soojyri@gmail.com,
website :www.punanetorn.ee
Part of the Maarja-Magdaleena Guild, the gallery room in the historic Red Tower hosts intriguing exhibitions by Estonian artists.
Look for new offerings every three weeks or so.
Open 10:00 – 17:00. Closed Mon.
Theatre Gallery
Address : A-2, Keskväljak 1,
tel. (+372) 442 06 67,
email : teater@endla.ee,
website :www.endla.ee.
The same downtown building that houses the town’s largest drama theatre is also home to an art exhibition space. Works are displayed in one large hall, which is only open to theatre visitors when performances are on, as well as in some of the corridors.
May 17 – June 01: Pärnu Art House students exhibition;
Through July Piret Vapajeva.
Theatres/Concert halls
Eliisabeti Church
Address : B-2, Nikolai 22,
tel. (+372) 443 13 81,
email: parnu.eliisabeti@eelk.ee,
website : www.eliisabet.ee.
This historic, 18th-century church is also one of Pärnu’s favoured concert venues, and the interior makes it an unforgettable place to hear music.
Endla Theatre
Address : A-2, Keskväljak 1,
tel. (+372) 442 06 66,
email : teater@endla.ee,
website :www.endla.ee
The town’s renowned and respected theatre, Endla is a prime venue for all kinds of cultural happenings. The theatre also houses a popular café and an art gallery.
Ticket office open Mon – Sat 12:00 – 19:00, Sun 1 hour before show.
Nooruse Maja Cultural Centre
Address : E-2, Roheline 1b,
tel. (+372) 445 00 70/(+372) 514 37 26,
email : info@noorusemaja.ee,
website : www.noorusemaja.ee
The centre is home to a number of groups – everything from Estonian folk troupes to American-style country line dancers.
Pärnu Concert Hall
Address : B-1, Aida 4,
tel. (+372) 445 58 10/(+372) 445 58 00,
email : pkm@concert.ee,
website : www.concert.ee/parnu.
By far the town’s largest event venue, this ultra-modern structure on the banks of the river was built in late 2002 and has already hosted many internationally-known acts.
Open 10.00 – 19.00, Sat 10.00 – 16.00. Sunday 1 hour before the concert.