I’m a massive fan of the Secret Mexican Society and all they’ve brought to the Tallinn scene – as a devotee of spicy foods, I know I’ll always find the goods wherever they are, whatever they organise. Likewise, Paavli Kultuurivabrik is one of my favourite venues, as it’s really more an events campus, with space enough for diverse entertainments and introverts’ seclusion. So when these two come together, as happened twice in May, you’ll find me a very happy ticketholder.
The evening of 10 May brought the first Lucha Libre event in Estonia – I am delighted to learn there is a European circuit for the famed and fabulous style of professional wrestling. Briefly, for the unfamiliar, masked wrestlers perform daring moves with high drama and clear rules: cheer the heroes and boo the villains, the difference between the two is obvious. It wasn’t the only thing to look forward to that evening, however – taking advantage of the space, there were also food vendors and a pre-show in one of the smaller buildings as they prepped the big hall. The film, documentary Los Exóticos, is about the rise of a third style of fighter beyond the faces (técnicos) and heels (rudos): the exóticos breaking rules around good, evil, and gender, making the most of the opportunities that professional wrestling offers for personal expression and growth. The documentary’s a real journey, and is supported at Paavli by an exhibition hanging on the entry hall’s walls as we enter for the main event.
The wrestling matches are an explosive joy to the sold-out crowd, the ring providing both elevated views and amplified impacts as bodies fly between and beyond the ropes. Our técnicos are greeting with roaring cheers, our rudos with thunderous boos. Each move is punctuated by gasps and shouts from the crowd, as well as grunts and groans onstage. The performers, men and women from around the world, include a homegrown hero, a towering Estonian fellow who calls Kalev to mind. It is a magical experience, and I genuinely hope that Tallinn becomes a regular stop on the aforementioned circuit.
Two weeks later I’m back at Paavli and ready to load up on good food and great music at LatinoFest 4.0, the annual celebration of Latin American culture and communities in Estonia. I arrive early, as I usually do when food’s on offer, and have to admire again how much work has been put into improving Paavli as a venue, over the past year in particular. In the two weeks since I was last there, a refreshed outdoor bar on the patio has joined the enclosed porch downstairs as excellent, weather-proofed upgrades. On today’s agenda is another screening of Los Exóticos, an expanded food court, an awesome cast of DJs spinning outside throughout the day, shop stalls and craft workshops and an exhibition on experiencing Mexico, from students of an Intro to Virtual Reality course at Tallinn University. I wasn’t able to stay the full day (the summer event season has arrived, even if the weather hasn’t), but enjoyed a lovely afternoon and several meals.
Both events are presented as part of Iberofest, which runs for a few more days. The Secret Mexican Society can be found across platforms and wherever there’s good music, food and fun in Tallinn.
Author: Laurie
Laurie likes alliteration, ambiance, and lists with three things.
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