VM Fest Mustvee

VM Fest Mustvee is a unique annual sacred music festival held in early August in Mustvee, the capital of the Lake Peipus region. With a history spanning nearly 500 years, Mustvee has been a major centre of culture, education and spirituality in the Lake Peipus region for centuries. The town is unique in having places of worship representing five different Christian denominations: Lutheran, Orthodox, Estonian Apostolic Orthodox (Unity of Faith), Old Believer and Baptist. Thanks to this remarkable diversity, Mustvee is often referred to as the “Jerusalem of Estonia.” The festival represents all five denominations of Mustvee and their musical traditions. Audiences can enjoy outstanding concerts and sacred music events in the town’s churches, culminating in a festive gala concert featuring all the festival performers. The festival brings together professional musicians, soloists and ensembles from Estonia and abroad, presenting the harmony of diverse cultures and musical traditions at the highest artistic level. The festival’s symbol is the fish, an ancient symbol of Jesus Christ. In Greek, the initial letters of the words “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour” form the word ICHTHYS, meaning “fish.” This symbol connects the festival both to its spiritual significance and to the local cultural context, as fish is also a well-known symbol of the Lake Peipus region. The festival’s Artistic Director is composer and conductor Valeri Petrov. The festival has become an important platform for sacred music and intercultural dialogue, bringing together different nationalities, Christian denominations and musical traditions.