Looking Back at TB26 Music Edition - Things That Matter
- May 3
- 3 min read
Tallinn Bearty 2026 Music edition is nicely wrapped up. It is done and gave everyone joy and healing the music and companionship can only do. It left us feeling both filled with pride and energy to share love for days in end.
What made this edition special
First as extention says - the music. The days filled filled with expectation not just for our carefully crafted classical concert but similarily the evenings in the club, looking at the atmosphere and happenings on the dancefloor, till early hours. Music connected us tightly.
Secondly, the community that Bearty family is and always will be. Being together across all events from relaxing opening in the pool, to community talks on topics, and lifting each other up at musical moments. Weekend simply provided best balance to soak in joy, thoughts and ideas that matter, and art of music. What stood out the most was not the program but everyone who was present and came to enjoy themselves in that particular time and place, with open hearts and hands (I only wish someone could count all the hugs that we given that weekend!).
Most memorable moments
One of the absolute highlights of the whole weekend has to be Salon D'Ours - a concerto, with two of our musical guest Ulrich Burdack and Przemek Winnicki. Ulrich singing handpicked classical masterpieces along with I Will Survive and Thank You For The Music, and Przemek playing his favorites on the piano in a way that left many wonder how is something like that humanly possible (that fingerwork!). That all allowing everyone attening to feel true power of human connection with art is the tool, radiating healing powers in free flow of creativity and connectedness. Those moments in Valge Saal, the main concert hall of the House of Blackheads/Tallinn Philharmonic, left most in the audience teary eyed few times in the course of whole 90minute performance, led with full warmth of heart by Ulrich, making it so easy to feel cosy as a salon concert should be - very communicative and warm hearted.
Additionally, we need to say that POP.OP Studio 54 and Bearanoid! The Original club nights were total blast. Because our homage to the original sparkly icon of any fun party with disco music and queer abundance in atmosphere was a night to remember because our third-time DJ LCB (Luke) gave his well knitted set, a journey we remember.
Also, because another third-time DJ with us Richie4Fingers (Peter) didn't leave any details of the night to a chance. Adding to that an overwhelmingly positive feedback to Saturday's host club Uus Laine and their bar-wizzardly staff that everyone became to love again and again that night.
Equally integral parts of the whole experience in 2026 were the opening pool-party, closing farewell brunch, and the city itself - Tallinn, that old lovely conglomerate of future memories for anyone, presented the shiny sunny approachable nature and hopefully left everyone feeling eager for next visits.
Community talks
Tallinn Bearty has always lifted the thinking and intelligence of every member of bear community, academic or just life-affirmingly curious, with daytime conversations and open lectures. This year's look at bear brotherhood's history and sources of its development by Les Wright, to the panel talk focused on eliminating shallow stereotypes and fears around important issues of HIV and stigmas around it, we had many progressive ideas expressed.
Healing by feeling
Probably one of the most amazing things we should say is this - seems everyone got a doze (possibly heavy) of healing in any and every sense. We sure felt enriched, pampered, warm, cute, touchy, joyous and cuddly all through the weekend. That cannot happen without everyone bringing some goodness to the table. Each one of you who came and gave your heart, we love you, we need you, and we see you back in Tallinn - next year's edition is about cinematography and all other important would be still present: food, music, brotherhood, inclusivity, tenderness and yes, healing!
Now, enjoy that retrospect we put together, with great thank you and help from our photo and videographer, Dmitri Rappu - rocking great moments captured!
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