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Tallin was the venue for the week-long festival of
Union Internationale du Cinéma non-professionnel / Film+Video
Where?
Tallin, capital of the independent and democratic Republic of Estonia, hosted this marvellous gathering of amateur movie enthusiasts. Since medieval times the city has been one of the crossroads of Europe. It is a working port on the Baltic sea, yet its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage sight. Estonia regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Events took place in the National Library in the centre of the city from Friday 3rd August to Saturday 11th August 2001. As well as the excellent programmes of films from member countries, entertainment from top choirs and orchestras, a regular video diary of events and lots of good company ... there were organised outings to:
Poltsamaa, the wine-making capital of the region, which included a guided tour of a Lutheran church and an organ recital, an open-air banquet in the quadrangle of a ruined castle with medieval music, juggler, acrobat, blacksmith, craft workers, potters and sample wine; followed by a visit to a historical mansion with combined music-room and observatory ... and a barn-dance style dinner with local dancing.
The outskirts of Tallin, including the Song Festival Arena where the nation expressed its resentment of the occupying power and its joy at liberation. We passed near the site for next year's European Song Contest and finished the afternoon at a park where examples of houses and farm-buildings from all over Estonia had been gathered for display. There followed another jolly dinner in the park's log-cabin-style inn.
A walking tour of the medieval old town of Tallin with excellent local guides.
UNICA 2001 was hosted by Eesti Filmiamatooride Liit (Estonian Film Amateurs Union) headed by Mr. Jaak Jarvine
To find out more about Tallinn take a look at the official web site (English version) and especially the photo gallery with gorgeous pictures. (Ignore warnings about needing special fonts!)