The Estonian National Museum in Tartu is a place that draws you back again and again. This summer is no exception, with numerous new and exciting exhibitions and events at the ENM. Here, you can explore masterpieces of Eastern and Central European surrealist art, learn about the interesting history of Estonian urban over centuries, and meet animals that prowl in the streets at night. The beloved permanent exhibitions "Encounters" on Estonian cultural history and everyday life and "Echo of the Urals" about Finno-Ugric peoples, are also still open.
This year, the Estonian National Museum will shine a light on city life at night. The exhibition "Who Claims the Night?" examines the glimmer and gloom of Estonian urban nightlife throughout the centuries. During your visit, you can either walk around the medieval streets or lie in bed and sing karaoke.
The nightlife display is complemented until August with "Strange Encounters", an exhibition that explores nocturnal encounters with animals living in the city. Meetings under the cover of darkness frequently have unexpected and surprising outcomes. This exhibition attempts to shift our understanding of the world by asking how a fox, hedgehog, or centipede experiences the darkened streets.
The European Capital of Culture year in Tartu and Southern Estonia brings an additional international atmosphere to ENM. The top events of the year undoubtedly include "Surrealism 100. Prague, Tartu and Other Stories...", which celebrates the 100th anniversary of the surrealist literary and artistic movement with an exhibition of the best Estonian and Czech surrealist art. Furthermore, Polish illustrator Joanna Concejo's delicate works and Italian photographer Luca Berti's documentary project "In the Footsteps of Photographer Johannes Pääsuke" about Estonian people, landscapes, and architecture. Portuguese jewellery will be on display as well.
During the second part of the year, the museum’s focus shifts to Japan , the birthplace of Tsuyoshi Tane, one of the architects of the remarkable museum building. Ryoji Ikeda, a world-renowned Japanese composer and artist, will have a solo exhibition in November. Ikeda, famous for his audiovisual performances and installations, creates two new works for ENM: an audiovisual display based on research data from the Institute of Genomics at the University of Tartu, and a sound installation in collaboration with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir.
ENM’s collections have over one million items, but only a fraction of them ever make it to the exhibition hall. To balance out the influx of art, the exhibition “From a Fire-stick to the Spotlight” will showcase interesting lamps, candle chandeliers and other lighting related items found in the vast collection. ENM will also be decorated with carpets made from old stamps, inspired by Margus Vaikre's enthusiasm for history.
It is enjoyable to visit ENM alone or with the entire family. In addition to a family day in June, the family room, which welcomes the museum's youngest visitors and their companions, has opened its doors. It's also worth noting that the entry to the ENM is cheaper on the second Sunday of each month!
You can spend days here delving deep into the fascinating lives of the people who call this land their home. The Estonian National Museum eagerly awaits you!
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