On Saturday, April 2nd 2022, we are inviting everybody with a thirst for knowledge to the upcoming TEDxTartu conference. This will be the eleventh event in the series, which will this year take place at Science Centre AHHAA.
The topic of TEDxTartu 2022 is "In the web" (in Estonian "Võrgus").
This time we’ll be exploring the webs we create in our everyday lives. Whether online or offline, we are constantly in a sphere of influence - a web of different people, ideas, opinions, and motions. In a culture so closely intertwined, all of what we do, think, want, and feel is bringing us closer or pushing us further from each other. TEDxTartu 2022 conference is connecting ideas and bringing you a fresh outlook on how to survive in the web that is our world today.
The event will be in Estonian. More information can be found on our website: www.tedxtartu.com. Follow us on other social media platforms as well:
Facebook: tedxtartu
Instagram: @tedxtartu
Twitter: @TEDxTartu
TEDxTartu is a full-day event curated by TEDxTartu organizers consisting entirely of volunteers. Our goal is to bring together bright minds to give talks that are idea-focused, and on a wide range of subjects, to foster learning, inspiration, and wonder – and provoke conversations on that matter.
Speakers
Speakers may not be confirmed. Check event website for more information.
Erki Kaikkonen
Storyteller
Erki Kaikkonen is a storyteller, professional life-researcher, and communication and mental health coach to whom learning plays an integral part of his life. The call to learn what interests him the most has been an important driver of his multi-faceted education. He has also followed this sentiment firmly, describing his education as an academic drift. He has studied at almost every Estonian state university and abroad, so he has extensive knowledge in social sciences, semiotics, communication, and pedagogy. Erki was active in several youth organizations, having been, for example, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Eesti Noorteühenduse Liit and the Head and Organiser of the Estonian ETNO Camp. As a storyteller, he emphasizes the role of stories and narratives in the human experience. To understand what is happening in life, Erki attaches the most significance to the existence and openness of different perspectives. His motto is – never stay put, always keep moving!Florian Marcus
Political scientist
Florian Marcus is a German political scientist who has lived, studied and worked in three different countries, including Estonia. He holds two Master’s degrees in the fields of political science, security studies and international relations from University College London and the University of Tartu. For three years, Florian Marcus served as a Digital Transformation Adviser at the e-Estonia Briefing Centre to raise awareness regarding e-government solutions with decision-makers around the world. In 2022 he joined the digital society consultancy firm Proud Engineers to help build a more digital future by advising governments and large corporations with their challenges on the way. Although we live in one of the most technologically developed countries in the world, there are still things to bear in mind when it comes to governing our digital state. As he has said it himself: “Digitalisation is a tool and, as with every other tool, there are right and wrong ways to wield it.”Haldi Välimäe
Musician
Haldi Välimäe is a young musician and songwriter who has taken it as her mission to preserve Estonian acoustic music culture. Her debut album “Raba” was released when Haldi was only 16 years old in collaboration with Vaiko Eplik and Jakob Juhkam. A song from the debut album with the same name was also performed at the XX Dance Festival “Minu arm” back in 2019. Last summer, Haldi put out her second album, “Taevalaed”, with the debut song “Suudlus” that brought her together with the winner of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest’s winner, Portugal’s singer-songwriter Salvador Sobral. As it happened, the two performed last year in Alexela’s Concert Hall together, singing the song both in Portuguese and Estonian. The author of the melody is none other than Salvador’s sister, Luisa Sobral, and the Estonian lyrics are written by Haldi herself. Haldi also is known to give exciting solo performances all over Estonia and was a radio presenter for the radio series “Fantaasia” at Klassikaraadio.Inga Lunge
Actress
Inga Lunge is an actress, coach and speech pathologist. Inga encourages people to do things that charge them with positive energy. When in the past we’ve seen Inga performing on different Estonian stages and TV screens, lately we’re starting to see her talking more about the art of speech and motivation. What charges Inga with positive energy? Inga cherishes her time with family, but as an avid fisherman she also knows to appreciate time for herself. Inga enjoys being at her country house and writing. Her book “Ma kirjutan sulle” about mental steps we take in silence. Inga is also the author of a children’s book called “Nupukas Nora” and is a member of the Estonian Actors Union.Jaan Aru
Neuroscientist
Jaan Aru is an Estonian neuroscientist and the associate professor of computational neuroscience and AI at Tartu University. He obtained his Master’s degree in the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt. Lucky for us, he is not shy in sharing his knowledge and research with the public. He has also been nationally recognized for his work in research popularisation. Since 2019 Jaan is also a member of The Estonian Young Academy of Sciences (EYAS). It is also not his first time giving a TEDx speech. Jaan’s heart (or maybe his brain) belongs to his family and neuroscience. He has said that for a scientist, work and rest are often akin to each other and time with family is a driving force for him.Karin Bachmann
Landscape Arhitect
Karin Bachmann is a landscape architect whose passion is protecting biodiversity in our public spaces. She has a postgraduate degree in landscape architecture and a Master’s degree in Urbanism. She is currently doing her doctorate degree in architecture and urban planning at Estonian Academy of Arts. As Karin describes nature as something very colorful and full of possibilities. Her love for nature can also be seen in her work for the non-profit organisation Loomus, where she raises awareness about animal rights. It should also be said that Karin’s job isn’t only paperwork-related, but sometimes she is driving her lawn tractor. With her colleagues she is leading Tartu 2024’s “Curated biodiversity” project, with the goal to rebuild the bond between people and nature, making others see the importance of working together. Karin is also a member of The Estonian Association of Architects and Estonian Landscape Architects' Union and one of the founders of KINO landscape architecture.Martin Junna
Improviser
Martin Junna is the improv theatre Ruutu10’s improviser, mentor and one of the leaders. Martin’s experience is a good example of how a hobby can become a career: his path to improv started with an interest for improvisation, but seeing he wanted to become better at it, he started taking it much more serious. After an intense improv course in Chicago, much self-improvement and endless hours of practice sessions, Ruutu10’s improv comedy theatre (first named Improkraatia) is filling people with laughter, giving performances and workshops all over Estonia. Martin is an Estonian Aviation Academy graduate, having studied communication and navigation systems. We have then reason to feel very lucky that Martin’s improv career has been as sucessful as it has been. But you never know! Martin has recently started drawing...Piret Aus
Cultural Organizer
Piret Aus is a freelance cultural organizer and folk musician who for 20 years worked as a professor of cultural organization at Viljandi Culture Academy. It is important for Piret that culture be accessible for everyone. Stemming from that, Piret also works as an accessibility specialist and helps create descriptive translations. One of her most noteworthy contributions were to the Estonian song and dance festival where she made sure to have accessibility solutions for people with disabilities. A fierce advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, she has been acknowledged both on a local and national level. Piret is described as happy-go-lucky cultural organizer, who doesn’t give up and stands for those who can’t stand for themselves. Did you know that Piret is also one of the founders of Viljandi Folk Music Festival? Two of her passions are actually her longtime friend - the accordion - and a newfound love - the karmoska.Silver Sepp
Fantasy Instrumentalist
Silver Sepp is an Estonian musician, songwriter, troubadour, and fantasy instrumentalist Silver Sepp. Silver has proven time and time again that anything can become music: with just a bit of imagination you can start hearing lovely nuanced sounds all around you. With that, he has brought out wonderful sounds from bikes, a nail violin, a water-filled bowl and even a PVC-tube straight from a construction site. We made Silver an offer to come and create music inspired by our conference’s main topic “in the net” - with, as is typical for Silver, unpredictable and innovative instruments. To our great pleasure he accepted our invitation and has created a piece specifically for our conference. Quite obviously we are very excited!Organizing team
