Estonian-French Erasmus+ exchanges: a thriving partnership

From 13 April until the end of May, we at the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy were again proud to be part of a bilateral Estonian-French exchange under the “Technicians Without Frontiers” collaboration agreement. This third volume of the Erasmus+ blended traineeship programme offered four of our students a unique opportunity to gain experience in French performing arts institutions. At the same time, their French counterparts were welcomed into Estonian theatres. 

Every spring, for a month, three students from our Performing Arts technical specialisations (either a video designer, light designer, prop designer or technical producer) and one sound engineering student can gain work experience in a French company dedicated to performing arts. This year, three students were welcomed in Paris at le Sax, Théâtre de la Commune and La Ferme du Buisson, and one for the first time in Lyon, at PLF EVENTS to immerse themselves into the richness of French (working) culture. 

Meanwhile, from CFPTS (Centre de Formation Professionnelle aux Techniques du Spectacle), a French stage manager, mentored by René Liivamägi, was doing her traineeship at the Tartu Uus Teater (a first-time collaboration!), helping to prepare stagings also in Narva and Tallinn. For the third year in a row, Eesti Noorsooteater (Estonian Theatre for Young Audiences) was the traineeship centre for French video and sound managers, further strengthening the collaborative ties with the help of the mentor, Mait Visnapuu. 

The virtual component made the French and the Estonians work together online 

In addition to this exchange, all the Estonian and French apprentices participated in several web meetings led by an Estonian instructor, the Academy’s very own Performing Arts lecturer, Taavet Jansen. Based on the MAX MSP environment, these remote sessions offered an additional window of opportunity for the Estonian-French apprentices who worked together to build the foundations of a small stage space. These virtual meetings were also the first of their kind, opening new prospects for cross-border collaboration. 

Fruitful visits for the supervisors 

From 6 to 11 May, some members of the CFPTS team travelled to Estonia to meet the apprentices and their mentors. In Viljandi, they had the chance to attend the artistic workshop performances by four groups of the Academy’s students. These presentations coincidentally highlighted a methodology and teaching approach similar to those used at CFPTS during group workshops. 

The French team then visited the Estonian apprentices in Tartu and Tallinn to see how well they had integrated into the company and to have professional discussions with the technical teams at the various locations. 

Prospects 

The Estonian-French programme was reviewed in June 2024, identifying new ways of strengthening these exchanges. However, the first thing to note was that all the participants described the trip as deeply enriching, beyond acquiring technical skills. They spoke of discovering various working methods and encountering perceptions and approaches to work that were very different but, above all, very inspiring. 

The dates for next year’s exchange have already been set. It will run from 13 April to 11 May 2025, a period that should coincide with the international visual theatre festival Tallinn Treff, which has been hosting more than 20 productions from around 15 countries since 2007, offering what we hope will be a unique opportunity for the French apprentices to take part in this event.