8 August 2026 | 14:30-16:00

Arvamusfestival, Paide, Estonia (Paide Vallimägi)

We live in a time of endless networking. Conferences, LinkedIn connections, startup events, self-promotion, and carefully managed professional identities. People meet constantly, and yet many still feel professionally isolated, disconnected, and tired of interactions that remain surface-level.

At the same time, some of the strongest professional relationships, collaborations and even friendships emerge in completely different environments: intense collaborative experiences where people actually have to build something together.

Why?

Because building together changes the dynamic entirely.

You rarely remember the person you exchanged LinkedIn contacts with over wine at a networking event. But you do remember the people you struggled with at 2 AM trying to fix a broken prototype before a deadline.

At some point during these experiences, people usually stop trying to appear impressive and simply become human with each other. Developers work with artists. Scientists work with designers. Students challenge CEOs. People from completely different backgrounds suddenly find common language through action rather than small talk.

And yet, formats like hackathons are regularly criticised. They are intense, chaotic and exhausting. Too little time, too little sleep, too many ideas, too much stress. Some people leave energised, others overwhelmed. Critics argue that these environments romanticise pressure, unhealthy work culture and temporary emotional highs.

Still, despite all the criticism, these formats continue to survive - and continue to pull people back in.

What is it about shared creation and collective problem-solving that creates trust so unusually fast? Why do these environments often create stronger and more meaningful relationships than carefully curated networking spaces? And why is it increasingly difficult for adults to build meaningful new friendships and professional relationships outside environments where people genuinely rely on each other?

Join the Discussion

This year, Garage48 is proud to contribute to the Arvamusfestival program by organising a discussion that explores one of the most important yet often overlooked questions of our time:

How do people build meaningful connections in adulthood?

The discussion will explore collaboration not only as a tool for innovation, but also as a social experience. At a time when many interactions have become increasingly transactional, performative and online, collaborative environments remain one of the few places where strangers can quickly become teammates, co-founders, future collaborators or even close friends.

The discussion is inspired by nearly two decades of experience organising Garage48 hackathons and innovation programs across different countries and communities.

Because perhaps meaningful connections are not created through talking alone.

Perhaps they emerge through shared challenges, unfinished ideas, collective risk-taking and the strange optimism that appears when people attempt difficult things together.

Speakers will be announced soon. Stay tuned for programme updates.

About Arvamusfestival

Arvamusfestival (Opinion Festival) is Estonia's largest platform for public discussions and civic dialogue.

It is a place to discuss, debate, listen and be surprised. Every year, the festival brings together people from all walks of life to exchange ideas, challenge perspectives and explore the issues shaping Estonia and the wider world.

On 7-8 August 2026, Paide Vallimägi will once again become a meeting place for meaningful conversations, inspiring people and fresh ideas. The festival is free and open to everyone.

Address: Paide Vallimägi (Paide Vallitorn, Ülase, Paide, 72713 Järva Maakond, Eesti)

Support the festival or register for a free festival pass: 

https://fienta.com/et/arvamusfestival-144954

Come for one discussion - stay for a whole festival of ideas.

The full Arvamusfestival programme will be announced on 7 July 2026.