Strikken helps and Lights the Sky in Estonia
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This is tied into research being conducted by the University of Tartu, including a three-month study on the prevalence of coronavirus among both symptomatic and asymptomatic people. At least 16,000 residents - based on a random statistical sample - will be interviewed and invited to be tested for coronavirus.
The transportation programme to help collect the samples was initiated by Strikken’s long-time partner Rally Estonia, to get the materials quickly and safely to Synlab which is the main testing laboratory in Tallinn. Speedy test results and data from the study will assist the government in an effective response and relevant public health guidance.
Roadside test centres have been set up in Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, Kuressaare, Viljandi, Narva and Kohtla-Järve and Rally Estonia event organiser Tarmo Hõbe encouraged volunteers to sign up and help. Strikken’s owner Taisto Raamat and his team were very happy to be part of this. Rally volunteers have been delivering about 35 per cent of the tests completed nationwide in March and April.
On the creative front, Strikken has also taken part the international lighting actions and artwork creations including #LightTheSky in support of essential workers during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Founded by Taisto in 2000 - initially as a one-person operation with six PAR cans – Strikken has grown and developed into a leading full production company providing lighting, audio, video, staging, rigging and design services for a range of events.
The 20th anniversary year would normally be one for celebration, but as for rental companies worldwide, it has been the toughest year to date due to Covid-19.
2019 was a busy year - in April alone they serviced 44 events, which was down to two this year – both TV shows without audiences. And in May 2019,over 70 events were on the calendar.
Last year they also made a substantial investment in Robe moving lights with the purchase of 12 MegaPointes and 48 LEDBeam 150s, supplied by Robe’s Estonian distributor E&T Valgus.
Recent events using the new Robe kit have included the Centenary Gala for Estonian Volleyball at the Saku Suurhall Arena in Tallinn, with lighting designed by Raiko ‘Little Trouble’ Saadjärv; New Year’s Eve 2019 / 2020 in Tallinn’s Freedom Square lit by Mihkel ‘Big Trouble’ Västrik and the Denim Dream 25th Birthday Gala again at the Saku Suurhall Arena.
Since the lockdown, for their own contribution to the first #LightTheSky action, Strikken used 18 Pointes and 18 LEDBeam 150s which were arranged in a heart shape in the yard outside their warehouse. The design was spontaneous and created collectively by all their crew.
