Tartu Illustration Festival 2025

Tartu Illustration Festival (TIF) is back!

Join us on October 4th at Aparaaditehas, Tartu for a one-day celebration of illustration, creativity and storytelling.

The festival brings together illustrators, graphic designers and artists from Estonia and abroad.

There will be workshops, presentations, talks and an illustration fair.

This year marks our first-ever theme year – and it's all about book illustrations!

Whether it's zines, poetry books, or children's literature, we're diving deep into the art of visual storytelling.

On the day of the festival, on October 4th, in addition to the illustrators' market in the Armastuse hall, several workshops and presentations will take place. In the workshops, visitors can learn and discover zine creation as well as, for example, riso printing or character drawing. We are collaborating with Aparaaditehas, Kogo Gallery, TYPA Center, and Plantarium Café, who are kindly opening their doors to be filled with festival culture, creativity, and art.

TIF 2025 programme

11.00–17.00 ･ ILLUSTRATORS FAIR ･ Armastuse saal

Workshops

10.00–13.00 ･ Zine workshop: Senses of Memory with Jana Ribkina and Betija Jakaite. (ENG) ･ TYPA centre

10.30–12.00 ･ Character design with Liisi Grünberg ･ Plantarium

11.00–12.45 ･ Art straight from the kitchen with NOPE Creative ･ Kolm Tilli greenhouse

12.00–15.00 ･ Riso & Folklore: Postcards from the bog with Regina Vitányi (ENG) ･ Armastuse saal (sold out)

13.00–15.00 ･ Letterpress postcard printing with TYPA ･ Kolm Tilli greenhouse

13.00–16.00 ･ Speed dating: writer and illustrator ･ Krabi x Gaffer

14.00–16.00 ･ Atmospheres with colour with Emmi Jormalainen (ENG) ･ Aparaaditehas rooftop terrace

15.00–17.00 ･ Stencil on Paper with Reda Tomingas (ENG) ･ Plantarium

Talks and discussions

11.00–11.45 ･ Paper in print with Pabrik Stuudio (EE) ･ Kogo gallery

12.00–13.00 ･ Artist talk: Emmi Jormalainen (ENG) ･ Kogo gallery

14.00–15.00 ･ Estonian illustration in Bologna with Ulla Saar and Marja-Liisa Plats (EE) ･ Kogo gallery

16.00–17.00 ･ Discussion with Heiki Ernits (EE) ･ Kogo gallery

18.00–19.30 ･ Panel discussion about book design: From cover to binding (EE) ･ Plantarium

Exhibitions

All day ･ TIF mini exhibition ･ Aparaaditehas tunnel gallery

11.00–17.00 ･ SUVA sock competition voting ･ Armastuse saal

15.00 ･ Introduction to Estonian and Latvian zines. Stina Leek and SABRS festival ･ KETT gallery

16.00 ･ 57 708 days of significant Estonian poetry. Poetry book exhibition opening ･ Plantarium

Bonus events

11.00–17.00 ･ DJ Kertu Laherand ･ Armastuse saal

11.00–17.00 ･ NOPE ice cream bar ･ Aparaaditehas courtyard

11.00–17.00 ･ TIF lottery wheel ･ Armastuse saal

14.30–15.30 ･ Tour in TYPA paper and print arts centre

Tickets to the workshops can be purchased via Fienta.ee.

The illustration fair, talks and discussions are free of entry.

The event is supported by the Estonian Cultural Endowment for Literature and the City of Tartu.

The first festival came to life thanks to Aparaaditehas Open Culture Platform 2024.

This years awesome visual has been drawn by illustrator Kristina Tort.

The event is free to visit and is suitable for everyone.

See you at #TIF2025!