International Summer Barrel Organ Days open in Tartu

The ninth International Summer Barrel Organ Days have opened in Tartu. For three days, the city's streets will be filled with music, and festival visitors will have a chance to learn about the history of the old instruments.

Once a symbol of street music, barrel organs today are heard mostly at festivals. The Tartu event, now in its ninth year, attracts musicians from across Europe.

Participant Krista Honhauser came from Germany. Her interest in the unusual instrument began about 40 years ago, when she was working at a tourist office in Berlin. She was asked to invite organ grinders from around the world to Berlin. Three years later, she realized these were kind, friendly and happy people, and decided to become one herself. She left her job and became an organ grinder.

Festival participants Pikku-Markku Tuominen and Markku Karvonen from Finland brought German-made barrel organs to Tartu. One was built in the early 2000s, the other in the 1970s. Tuominen said his organ was played by two professional blind street musicians, one performing in Helsinki and the other in the small town of Hämeenlinna. Karvonen bought his barrel organ when he turned 50; as he noted, many people buy a motorcycle at that age, but he bought an organ.

This year, the festival has gathered more than 20 organ grinders from seven countries. Organizer Ingrid Kalev described the barrel organ as a small but precious part of culture that brings joy to both listeners and musicians. The oldest organ at this year's festival came from Germany and is 149 years old. There is also an old Estonian barrel organ, discovered during the restoration of a manor house, restored, and now able to be seen and heard.

The Summer Barrel Organ Days will continue until August 2, with concerts and performances at various venues across Tartu.