Baltics - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia

[piffey]

I'm going to Vilnius for Danius Svente (Song Festival) celebrating the 100 years of their first declaration of sovereignty. I've been working on a personal project of Lithuanians and the communities they built after fleeing the Soviets -- maintaining their culture through traditional songs and folk dancing. After that's over I plan to visit the rest of the Baltics.

So far my plan is Vilnius to Riga to Tallinn, but could easily branch off in any direction. Any photographers with experience in those countries with suggestions of things that cannot be missed? Any locals with insider tips of photographing in or around those cities? Any suggestions on where to purchase film in case I run out (I shoot primarily film since I love printmaking in the darkroom and it gives me both analog and digital options still)? I'm also hoping to make a day trip to the Lithuania Photography Museum in Siaulai (https://www.muziejai.lt/Muziejus.en.asp?Db_kodas=3038&meniu=0) which looks interesting. Any similar galleries or museums worth checking out in that rough itinerary?

 

[himself]

sounds like a good trip, and there's plenty to photograph in and around Riga, depending on what you'd like to photograph that is : )

the Latvian Museum of Photography in Riga is definitely worth visiting, but when I visited they mentioned they might be moving the gallery, so worth checking their current location. Plenty of old equipment and a short history of photography in Latvia. They also host contemporary photography exhibitions, and I guess you could find out what they'll be showing on their page. There's also a camera/photography shop called Baltijas Foto Service in the city (quite central) that sells plenty film (next door there's an Indian restaurant that makes excellent masala tea too : ) ).

 

[darkosaric]

if you were never in Helsinki - there is a farry from Tallinn, fast and not too expensive - you can add it in the list.

 

[darkosaric]

ferry

 

[mooseontheloose]

I spent a little bit of time in Tallinn a couple years ago, but other than the old town can't recommend much as I wasn't there very long. I don't know if this will interest you, but it's definitely a place I want to visit when I finally get a chance to go to Lithuania: the hill of crosses. It's been around since the mid-19th century, was continually destroyed by the Soviets (but kept coming back due to the determination of the locals) and is now gaining popularity as a place to visit.