This September in Tallinn, the international MA programme in Contemporary Physical Performance Making (CPPM) at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT) presents the second edition of the solo performance festival LÄBU. Performances will take place at the EAMT black box, Kanuti Gildi SAAL, Püha Vaimu SAAL, and in a private apartment. Tickets go on sale on 19 August via Piletikeskus.

The festival will premiere 16 original solo works created by 16 CPPM students from 13 countries: Zhenyan Ding (China), Elar Vahter (Estonia), Leah Gayer (Germany/United Kingdom), Edward Skaines (Australia), Maarja Tosin (Estonia), Jeson Joy (India), Clarisse Degeneffe (Belgium), Daniel Ortiz Amézquita (Colombia), Ana Trif (Romania), Charis Tapin (United Kingdom), Avery Gerhardt (United States), Juuli Hyttinen (Finland), Dita Lūriņa (Latvia), Anette Pärn (Estonia), Oskar Moore (Latvia), Maria Papachristodoulou (Greece).

“These solo works are not polished productions that have toured for years but urgent first experiments—raw, uncompromising, and brimming with discovery. They have taken shape during the first semester of CPPM studies, made specifically for this festival and inspired by encounters with a range of directors, choreographers, and performance artists who worked with CPPM students this term: Lloyd Newson (DV8 Physical Theatre), Wim Vandekeybus & Maria Kolegova (Ultima Vez), Grzegorz Bral (Song of the Goat), Ivana Jozic (Troubleyn Jan Fabre), Stacy Makishi, Marco Donnarumma, Henry McGrath (Eden’s Cave), Sasha Pepelyaev, Giacomo Veronesi, and Sandra Küpper. Their artistic provocations, creative processes, and working methods have inspired, tested, and shaken these young artists—now they step before the public with their first creative trials in the format of a solo performance,” explains Jüri Nael, Leading Professor of Contemporary Performance and CPPM programme coordinator at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.

The themes of the solos reflect the world the artists inhabit and the questions that can’t be ignored. Audiences will encounter works exploring identity and migration, grief and care, masculinity and vulnerability, language and translation, illness and resilience, ritual and myth, ecology and power. Some solos turn inward, drawing the viewer close to the performer’s personal experience; others look outward, inviting reflection on shared social structures and assumptions. All are united by the courage to act and to take the next step on the path of authorship.

Festival schedule and tickets are available via Piletikeskus