Exhibitions 

The Estonian National Museum in Tartu, with its 6000 square metres of exhibition space, is without much competition the biggest in Estonia. Though, it is not the size that matters. 

Most of the exhibition space is dedicated to the permanent exhibition Encounters, expanding upon Estonian cultural history and everyday life, stretching out on a timeline from the present day to the Ice Age.

The second biggest permanent exhibition is Echo of the Urals, providing insight into the lives of the different people speaking Finno-Ugric languages and inhabiting the northern parts of this corner of the world. The exhibition takes visitors through four different seasons, introducing people related to Estonians. 

Both of the permanent exhibitions can be fully explored in English and Russian. Translations to Finnish, Latvian, German and French are provided on text screens at the "Encounters". Please ask for a language card at the information desk. See the video for instructions below.



Exhibitions change yearly in the Temporary Exhibitions Halls. The doors to the glimmer and gloom of Estonian urban life after dark (the exhibition titled "Who Claims the Night?") is opened at the ENM gallery and surrounding areas until February 24, 2025. Our biggest temporay exhibition hall hosts from November 2 the solo exhibition of Ryoji Ikeda, a world-renowned Japanese composer and artist.The exhibition "Surrealism 100. Prague, Tartu, and Other Stories..." was opened here until 8 September.

People, civic associations, and groups that are not involved in museum work or exhibition curating on a daily basis can put together and display their exhibitions in the Do It Yourself hall, which is located in the permanent exhibition "Encounters". Every year, we have a competition to gather ideas, and the 2025 competition will be book-themed.

Smaller exhibitions can be found in the territory of Raadi Manor where the Estonian National Museum is located, as well as at the Heimtali Museum in Viljandimaa, which is a branch of the Estonian National Museum. Travelling and virtual exhibitions will be added to the programme in the future.