Pärnu, the host of the next great common festivities, held an
important place in the Hanseatic League. Our city lies by the sea and at the mouth of Pärnu River, in Hansa times Pärnu was a port of transit.
Goods travelling from west to east included wines, woollen cloth
for making clothes, handicraft. One of the most important goods at
those times was salt. Goods travelling from east to west included
wax, expensive furs, timber. Exotic merchandise also attracted the
residents of Pärnu: they offered Hansa merchants grain and flax in
exchange for their goods.
Documents recording this lively trading activity can still be found
in the City Archive. The merchants of those times were not merely
salesmen: they also contributed to cultural exchange. People copied
each other’s clothing styles, books and works of arts were
distributed, and the customs and traditions of each other were learned.
Hanseday today
30th International Hansa Convention in Pärnu (Estonia)
24-27 June 2010
Pärnu - a city at the Baltic Sea - can be regarded as the Nordic
pearl. It is a city that will soon celebrate 760 years of its first
mention in history. Its first era of prosperity was during the 14th and 15th centuries when Pärnu was member of the Hanseatic League and an
important commercial port
In the vicinity of Pärnu there is a place that marks the spot of
the first human habitation in the Estonian territory. The first
Estonian language newspaper was published in Pärnu and it was in
Pärnu that the independence of the Republic of Estonia was
proclaimed in 1918.
So, our home town, the Hanseatic City of Pärnu has an exciting
history, a lively present and, as we all hope, a very special and
joyful future.
Next year you will all have an opportunity to get to know our city
and we hope to see many visitors from different Hanseatic Cities..
Each summer, the Pärnu Hanseatic Days take place with numerous
concerts, dance performances and theatricals. A special medieval
marketplace is set up where hundreds of craftsmen gather to
manufacture and sell their goods. Workshops are provided for those
interested.
A major cultural festival will take place in 2010 - namely the 30th International Hansa Convention will be organised by the City of
Pärnu. Delegations from Hanseatic towns all around Europe
will convene. In cultural context every Hanseatic City has its own
special place and our citizens are looking forward to meeting you
all
Getting to Pärnu
People travelling to Pärnu come to Estonia mostly via Tallinn
(Estonia) or Riga (Latvia). Both Tallinn and Riga have connections
by air, sea and/or rail with the rest of the world. There are
regular bus services connecting Pärnu with both Riga and Tallinn
(Highway E67 - Via Baltica; 130 km from Tallinn to Pärnu; 190 km
from Riga to Pärnu). The Pärnu Airport services charter flights.
Accomodation
Pärnu is also a well-known resort, it boasts having spas and a
variety of accommodation for about 4000 visitors.
