RUA 2026: Pärnu & municipalities

The letters are illustrated by the participating artists

Graphic design by Mirell Šmidt

RUA 2026: Pärnu & surrounding municipalities

For the 9th edition, RUA set out to the official summer capital of Estonia - Pärnu! Together with 11 international artists, the city of Pärnu together with surrounding municipalities Tõstamaa, Paikuse and Jõõpre, received a beautiful variety of 10 different wall paintings - all paintings in a unique style, reflecting the creativity of the artist! The festival took place from the 25th to the 30th of May!

For the Pärnu edition, the festival family consisted of 11 artists from ten different countries. The final result brought smiles to the audiences through a heartwarming palette of different ideas and styles. As the tradition goes, the festival welcomed a Finnish female artist as well as an artist from Ukraine; also multiple schools and a local carecenter for the elderly got a wall painting.

The week spent together proved once again that good things happen through collaboration, motivation and kindness. The volunteers Greete, Kati-Eliise, Epp, Kayleigh, Koen, Otto and Johan made sure all artists got help with their walls if needed; locals like Mati from Jõõpre and Jaanus from Tõstamaa were always there if needed and local craftswomen showed their kindness by making little gifts to everyone involved. City administrators and partners throughout the preparation process Gertrud and Janno were always there and sacrificed many extra working hours to make the festival happen. As an outcome, locals and visitors have heartwarming artworks in their living environments now for years to come!

Artists and locations of the artworks:
Lonac (HR) - Jõõpre Community and Carecenter, Jõõpre village
Luke Carter (UK) - Pärnu Ülejõe School, Pärnu
Rame13 (IT) - Paikuse Sports Center and School, Paikuse village
Mira (FI) - Kitse 10, Pärnu.
Kunytsia Lisova (UA) - Kindergarten and library, Varbla mnt 24, Tõstamaa
Sens Area (ES) - Oja 35a substation, Pärnu
Paatrice Marchand (FR) - Pärnu Päikese School for disabled children, Rõugu 8a
Luisa Harjak (EE) - Papli 34 substation, Pärnu
Christian de Souza (DK) - Kooli 10/2, Pärnu
JustSasko (DE) - Metsa 1, Pärnu

Media coverage: Street Art Cities, AK News, Pärnu Postimees

Sponsors:
Pärnu city, Sadolin Eesti, Fere OÜ, Pärnu County Association, Spanish Embassy, French Institute, Cultural Endowment of Estonia.

Partners: Tõstamaa Käsitöökeskus, Vaas & Vaas, Ingel Drinks, We Print, Ramirent, Hotel Vesiroos, Bum-Bum pub, Pärnumaa Vocational Education Centre, Pajoprint, 1autorent, Metsä Wood Eesti AS, Pärnu Karl Bilder.

Photos: Tõiv Jõul