Hot Summer ’93
Parties
-
Author and Stage Director
Tiit Palu
-
Set and Costume Designer
Pille Jänes
-
Composer
Astra Irene Susi (Teater Endla)
-
Lighting Designer
Margus Vaigur (Teater Endla)
-
Video Designer
Laura Romanova
-
Producer
Liisa Liksor
-
Stage Manager
Triinu Reigo
Actors
Hendrik Toompere (Eesti Draamateater) ja Luisa Lõhmus
A Story from the Summer of 1993 in Narva
Many people no longer remember the Narva referendum. Yet it has been described as one of the most serious crises in the first years of Estonia’s restored independence.
This production takes the audience back to a time when the Estonian state had been independent for only two years and many questions remained unresolved. In Narva and Sillamäe, a referendum was organised with the aim of granting autonomy to the region. The possibility hung in the air that part of Ida-Virumaa might separate from Estonia or drift into Russia’s sphere of influence.
Then–Prime Minister Mart Laar has called the Narva referendum the most difficult crisis of his time in office. The backdrop included the recent conflicts in Transnistria and Abkhazia, along with fears that something similar could unfold in Estonia. The government appointed young diplomat and political figure Indrek Tarand as its special representative to Narva, tasking him with assessing the situation and attempting to keep the crisis under control.
The story unfolds through the meeting of two people in the present day. Together, they attempt to understand the past through documents, memories, and personal experiences. In this way, major political events intertwine with human choices, doubts, and recollections. Thirty years later, questions of borders, security, and belonging have not disappeared. On the contrary, they resonate around us once again with growing urgency.
“Hot Summer ’93” is a documentary stage drama by Tiit Palu about a time when Estonia’s future could have taken several different paths, and political decisions became inseparable from deeply personal stories.
Please note: Performances in Narva include Russian-language surtitles.
What do you remember about 1993? Or what have you heard about it?
Additional Information
The performance is presented in one act and runs approximately 100 minutes.
The production is accompanied by an informative exhibition, “The Story of the Narva Autonomy Referendum,” located either in the side hall next to Salme Black Box or in the second-floor foyer of Narva Vaba Lava. Doors open 30 minutes before the performance.
Audience Discussions
Selected performances are followed by audience discussions lasting approximately 30–45 minutes. These conversations feature participants in the historical events or people connected to the production, who share their memories and answer questions from the audience.
Audience discussions include:
- 10 April – Indrek Tarand and the cast, moderated by Victoria Punga
- 15 April – Indrek Tarand and individuals mentioned in the production
- 16 April – Peeter Volkonski and Tiit Palu
- 27 April – Aimar Altosaar and Indrek Tarand
Please note that discussion dates and participants may be subject to change.
Acknowledgements
Indrek Tarand, Allan Kaldoja, Aimar Altosaar, Ants Liimets, Jaan Tross, Kristina Kallas, Mart Pung, Peeter Volkonski, Rein Annik, Go Hotel Shnelli, Estonian Depository Library, and the Estonian Open Air Museum.
Supporters
The Cultural Endowment of Estonia, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Defence, the Government Office of Estonia, and the Integration Foundation.
Performances
Gallery
Jelizaveta Gross
Media
-
Indrek Tarand: Ida-Viru maffiaga kohtudes oli tunne, et kohe tõmbab keegi noa välja
Taavi Minnik
Päevaleht -
Tiit Palu toob lavale 1993. aasta äreva suve Ida-Virumaal
Sirle Sommer-Kalda
Põhjarannik -
Hendrik Toompere: "Kuum suvi '93"
Vikerhommik
Vikerraadio -
Narvas jõuab lavale Tiit Palu dokumentaallavastus "Kuum suvi '93"
ERR
ERR -
На сцене Vaba Lava в Нарве – премьера спектакля о Нарвском референдуме 1993 года
ETV+
ETV+ -
ARVUSTUS | Tarandist ja Narvast rääkiv lavastus on suurepärane dramaturgiline näide valdkonnast „imeline ajalugu“
Veiko Märka
Delfi -
Margus Mikomägi: kust tulevad alaealised mõrtsukad ja Eestist kaugenev Narva?
Margus Mikomägi
Maaleht -
Narva triloogia
Andrei Hvostov
Sirp
