On June 1st, the city-wide Tartu Children's Protection Day “Dare to be You!” took place, encouraging young people to engage in activities that make them feel most like themselves. For those who had not yet found a hobby they liked or simply wanted to try something new, the long-standing Children's Protection Day program offered diverse activities. For example, it was possible to participate in Brain Games' outdoor games workshop, explore police and rescue vehicles, try weightlifting at the SK Jõud Junior area, learn football skills at the JK Tammeka and FC Helios area, inquire about study and work opportunities from the Unemployment Insurance Fund, and get acquainted with the centre's services at the Tartu Youth Work Centre tent, among many other things.
Next to Tartu Kaubamaja, there was a stage whose program was created by young people from the Tartu 2024 Extended youth program, from the project LOOMEEN. The stage program was put together by young and talented artists, giving some of them the opportunity to make their very first public appearance. Performing on stage were, for example, Villem Kreem, JJ-Street Tartu, bands Rike and Triangel, Lana Models, Fa-Diees and many others. At 7:00 PM, Estonia's Eurovision star Stefan performed, and his concert was attended by a couple of thousand city residents. The eventful day concluded with the premiere of the Natura Obscura video installation and performances by Kauro Tafitšuk and Katerina Agafonova.
The main partner of Tartu Children's Day was European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024, in cooperation with youth projects LOOMEEN, Extended Exchange, and Natura Obscura. The event was supported by the City of Tartu and Tartu Kaubamaja, and sponsored by A. Le Coq, Brain Games, Emajõe Lodjaselts, Escape Tartu, Kommipomm, and Külm jäätis.







