"Surrealism 100. Prague, Tartu, and Other Stories..." is opened until September. | Photo: Mikk Otsar. Tartu 2024
Estonian National Museum Celebrates Summer And Plans for the Autumn
Thursday, 04. jul 2024
The Estonian National Museum is anything but an ordinary museum.
Today, the treasured heritage keeper has grown into one of Estonia's most important cultural centres, drawing history and architectural enthusiasts, art lovers, and adventure seekers. Few are left unimpressed by the constantly changing exhibitions and year-round educational and cultural programmes. As we step into the second half of the year, the glorious summer is still going, but autumn is not far away either. Therefore, let’s find out what ERM will surprise you with in the near future.For two more months, ENM will showcase Czech and Estonian surrealism at the exhibition "Surrealism 100. Prague, Tartu, and Other Stories...". The unusual blend of the two countries' often shocking works enlivens the imagination while occasionally raising an eyebrow. If you choose, you can examine what you see in depth, or take advantage of the opportunity to approach art without bias and notice the emotions that develop in yourself. A painting from this exhibition can even be seen in Mikael Gabriel and Nublu's music video "Yao Ming". The exhibition, which is part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 main programme, will be open until 8 September.
When you are captivated by the white summer nights, it is time to ponder "Who claims the night?". The exhibition of the same name examines how people have experienced Estonian urban nights in the past and present. The exhibition conveys the emotions of euphoric raves and karaoke nights as well as the medieval city rules and the living conditions of night workers.
The exhibition goes hand in hand with the electronic music festival and conference "unda". The festival honors the vitality of communal dancefloor spaces through global club music and live performances, emphasizing the cultural significance of gathering together and the act of dancing. The event occurs during the Autumn equinox, from 19-22 September, representing the balance between day and night, light and dark, movement and stillness.
Everyone has come across stamps, and some even own a stamp album. When Margus Vaikre rediscovered his childhood stamp album, he began creating a new dream album inspired by it. After all, the age of the Internet and online auctions provides even more options for this. The process of collecting extended his horizons and deepened his understanding of stamps, history, and stamp art. This is how the exhibition "Margus Vaikre's Stamp Carpets. Gourmet Stamp" was born. The exhibition is free to enter and runs from 28 June to 25 August, 2024.
On 20 August, classical music enthusiasts are welcomed to the concert "Usk. Lootus. Armastus" ("Faith. Hope. Love"). The Maarjamaa Philharmonic's concert is inspired by Estonia's people, landscape, and the strong emotions it evokes. Audiences with diverse musical preferences are welcome to listen and enjoy.
This year, the European Capital of Culture successfully established itself in the ENM. On 2 November, the world-famous Japanese composer and artist Ryoji Ikeda's solo exhibition will be opened, plunging headfirst into the world of science. Ikeda comes to Estonia stronger than ever before, creating two entirely new works for the exhibition: an audiovisual installation based on scientific data from the Estonian Biocentre and a sound installation made in collaboration with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. There has never been anything like this at ENM, and we are eagerly anticipating it.
This autumn, we are particularly fond of science and encourage everyone interested in the topic of sustainability to join us between 30 October and 2 November. The international conference "Sustainability in Practice: DIY Repair, Reuse, and Innovation" will focus on sustainability in everyday life. 83 performers from more than 15 countries from Europe and beyond will join in Tartu to shine light on repair, reuse, and everyday invention both historically and currently. Ticket sales are currently underway, and you can also participate online.
Continuing with conferences, the International Committee for Exhibition Exchange (ICOM Exhibitions) will hold its annual conference "Momentum: Exhibitions and Memory" at the ENM from 29 September to 2 October. The 2024 conference will provide a space for big conversations, expansive questions, and new ideas. Each day will have a grounding theme and will start with a moderated conversation with interesting keynote speakers. Daily themes will include: Memory and the Future; the Intersection of Memory, Innovation and Exhibitions, and How do Exhibitions Shape Memory? Momentum will also feature the ever-popular Traveling Exhibition Marketplace along with series of traveling exhibition workshops, sessions, behind-the-scenes tours and possible post-conference day in Tallinn organised by ICOM Estonia
The Estonian National Museum is brimming with intriguing exhibitions, events, and, most importantly, people. We want everyone, from the youngest visitor to the most seasoned museumgoer, to find something to their liking here. It's worth coming and telling us how things are going!