Eventful history 

1993

On May 15, 1993, the Society of Young Musicians was established in Viljandi, and the first PÄRIMUSA day, focusing on traditional music, took place. The event brought together 200 attendees.

1994

The traditional music festival takes place under a new name: Viljandi Folk Music Festival. Postimees comments: “Three days that amazed the world.” The event attracts 5,000 attendees.

1995

The festival gains momentum and extends to four days.

1996

Head of the festival, Ando Kiviberg receives the annual award from the Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s Folklore Fund for organizing the Viljandi Folk Music Festival. The audience grows to 10,000, and the festival also receives the Viljandi City Cultural Award

1997

Two students from the folk music department, Krista Sildoja and Tuulikki Bartosik, are sent to the ETHNO camp in Falun, Sweden, in early July. Encouraged by the festival and the new camp experience, the first folk music camp, Noorte Moosekantide Pillimängupäevad, is held in Viljandi from July 20–24.

1998

The head of the festival is awarded the city’s honor medal and is named Viljandi City Person of the Year. The organizing Society of Young Musicians receives the Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s annual award.

2000

In January, the NGO Viljandi Folk Music Festival is established. Founders include the Viljandi City Government, the Viljandi County Association of Municipalities, the Development Fund of the Viljandi Culture College, and seven individuals associated with the Folk Music Department of the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy. The festival becomes a member of the European Forum of Worldwide Music Festivals (EFWMF) that same year.

2001

Head of the festival Ando Kiviberg is awarded the Order of the White Star, Class V.

2002

The world music festival "MAA ja ILM" takes place for the first time in winter. Initially held in Tartu and Tallinn, it later becomes a tradition in Tartu only.

2003

The Forum of Worldwide Music Festivals’ annual meeting is held in Viljandi and Tallinn, with 30 member organizations from 14 countries attending. The first Folk Music Harvest Party is introduced. The Viljandi Folk Music Festival’s organizing team receives the National Cultural Award. Festival program director Piret Aus is awarded the Viljandi City Cultural Award. The Viljandi Folk Music Festival is named the most successful tourism attraction in Southern Estonia.

2004

On December 27, the NGO Viljandi Folk Music Festival is renamed the Estonian Traditional Music Center (EPMK). A spring concert raises support for the construction of the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy’s music building.

2005

A spring concert is held on Tallinn Day at the Town Hall Square, and donations are collected for the DVD “Aja kõlad.” 74 school concerts are organized, and ticket sales for the summer festival exceed 20,000 for the first time. EPMK receives the Postimees Readers’ Cultural Engine Award.

2006/2007

The season features 99 school concerts. The "MAA ja ILM" festival extends to two days, and a spring concert tour introduces newer traditional music. Anu Taul releases a second album of Mulgi songs. Two full-time performers are hired at the center.

2007

The 15th Viljandi Folk Music Festival focuses more on runic songs and other ancient song traditions and singers. The construction of the Traditional Music Center begins.

2008

On March 28, the new home of the Estonian Traditional Music Center is opened in the Viljandi Castle Hills. The building hosts year-round concerts and also becomes the venue for the August Pulst Study Center and the Traditional Music Library.

2009

A busy year! On January 10, the Estonian Traditional Music Center receives the Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s annual award for a determined and successful opening season of the Traditional Music Center in Viljandi. On April 29, the first Estonian Folk Music Awards, later known as the Ethnokulp, are presented, led by Aimar Ventsel and Radio 2. On May 15, the first nationwide music student competition takes place at the Traditional Music Center, organized by the August Pulst Study Center. On October 30, the Estonian Traditional Music Center hosts a grand traditional music gala concert at the Estonia Concert Hall in Tallinn, concluding the events dedicated to August Pulst’s 120th birthday. On November 13, the dance performance "Tantsumasin" (choreographed by Silver Sepp) premieres in the main hall of the Traditional Music Center and is later nominated for the Best Production category at the Estonian Theatre Awards.

2010

At the beginning of the year, the August Pulst Study Center receives the Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s Folklore Fund Award for teaching and promoting traditional music. During the Folk Music Harvest Party, on October 1-2, Viljandi hosts the annual meeting of the European Forum of Worldwide Music Festivals (EFWMF) delegates for the second time.

2016

Alongside the ETHNO Estonia camps, the Estonian Traditional Music Center starts organizing a separate Children’s ETHNO camp, inviting participants aged 7 to 16. The camp’s work culminates in a summer folk music festival concert with the Estonian ETHNO.

2017

The first Young Folk Band Competition takes place, welcoming youth ensembles up to 20 years old with at least two traditional music pieces in their repertoire. The competition is patronized by Sandra Vabarna of the band Trad.Attack!, who emphasizes its importance and sustainability: “The competition will definitely take place next year as well, and we support its continuation. We need young talent to maintain and advance the popularity and heritage of folk music. We want our country’s unique music to captivate larger stages and audiences worldwide.”

2018

The first Best Solo Musician Competition is held, modeled after the Swedish Riksspelman competition. Its aim is to popularize authentic traditional music and highlight and develop solo instrumental skills. The competition is open to all Estonian musicians, who compete individually with any instrument. Participation in the Best Solo Musician Competition signifies quality, and the winner’s title is the highest recognition for a folk musician.

2020

The COVID-19 pandemic shakes the world. Estonia is under emergency conditions, and community and event management are restricted. For the first time, the Viljandi Folk Music Festival is canceled, but not entirely! PÄRIMUSA 2.0 takes place!