- 2011, the year of Tallinn being the European Capital of Culture, is a great occasion not only for Tallinn but also for all Estonia, said Mikko Fritze, the initial planning phase director of Foundation Tallinn 2011, at last weeks SCCE Business Breakfast arranged in cooperation with AmCham Estonia. The main theme of Tallinn 2011 is ‘Stories of the Seashore' and it will encapsulate Estonia's history and Tallinn's physical location next to the sea.

The idea of the European Capital of Culture was launched in 1985 and as the concept was a great success from the beginning its scope was extended, and since 2005 two cities are named the European Capitals of Culture during the same year. In 2011 Tallinn will share the title with Åbo/Turku.

- The European Capital of Culture in Tallinn will be opened on New Year's Eve 2010 with a grand show by the sea and celebrations in different Tallinn city districts, told Mikko Fritze. The main theme throughout 2011 - Stories of the Seashore - is divided in three subparts; Stories of Singing Together, Stories of the Living Old City, and Stories of Dreams and Surprises.

The Tallinn 2011 program will include Festivals, the Tallinn Maritime Days, Sports, The 11th Youth Song and Dance Celebrations, Music/Opera, Language/Literature, Art, Performing Arts and Film.

A first booklet on the cultural program is available online for download at www.tallinn2011.ee/?id=258. More information on Tallinn 2011 is also available at www.tallinn2011.ee as well as at Facebook and YouTube; www.facebook.com/tallinn.kultuuripealinn, www.youtube.com/2011Tallinn.

On behalf of the SCCE Council I would like to thank Mikko Fritze for an interesting and straight-forward presentation. My thanks also go to Reval Hotel Olümpia for a nice Business Breakfast set up and to Daria Sivovol at AmCham Estonia for a good cooperation in arranging our joint Business Breakfast.

Sincerely,

Kristiina Sikk
SCCE Ombudsman