Year 2025 marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of the first known Estonian book. We celebrate this milestone at the Estonian National Museum (ENM) with a grand programme dedicated to books and reading, featuring exhibitions, author events, workshops, reading nooks, and much more. Through a dynamic exhibition schedule, we highlight how the role of books is far from diminished and showcase new ways to consume and interpret literature. The Year of the Estonian Book will start its story in April, during the museum’s anniversary month.
Many other stories will also be told. For example, the story of the Estonia Swedes, a cultural minority with a fascinating history, as well as the tale of creating an ideal world through colours – the story of one of Estonia’s most influential painters, Olev Subbi. But before new beginnings, we gracefully bid farewell to our temporary exhibitions, dearly beloved by our visitors.
Ryoji Ikeda at the Crossroads of Art and Technology
Until 02.03.2025
Ryoji Ikeda is a world-renowned artist known for combining vast amounts of scientific data into contemporary artworks. Originally from Japan and now based in Paris, Ikeda has received widespread acclaim in both art and electronic music circles. The exhibition consists of three installations, two of which were created specifically for the ENM’s space. Ryoji Ikeda's solo exhibition is part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 main programme.
In the audiovisual work “the critical paths”, Ikeda used a tremendous amount of genomic data from the Institute of Genomics at the University of Tartu. Visitors can literally walk through the data flow of human history, tracing back to the dawn of time. The sound installation “vox aeterna” consists of a diverse array of voices, all woven into a powerful composition. The vocal sounds are provided by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, and Ikeda transforms these raw materials into a multi-phonic composition. “data-verse 1/2/3“ demonstrates the immense difference in scale between small elementary particles and the enormity of the universe. The exhibition as a whole invites you to contemplate the human experience between the small and large scales.
Who Claims the Night?
Until 24.02.2025
A recent nominee for the Exhibition of the Year prize in Estonia, it unveils the mysteries of nighttime, from medieval times to the present day. The exhibition delves into themes such as the contrast between historical and modern night, the criminal element and hedonism, nocturnal habits of unconventional individuals, and much more.
Likely the world’s largest exhibition on city nights, that explores nighttime as a realm where not only the physical environment, but also human behaviour, diverges from the norm. The night is liberating and entertaining, yet perilous and unpredictable. Will you claim the night, or will the night claim you?
Olev Subbi’s Ideal Parallel World
22.03–28.09.2025
The exhibition “Olev Subbi. Striving for Perfection” provides a comprehensive overview of the work of one of Estonia’s most prominent painters. Showcasing over 80 paintings from both public and private collections, it highlights the artist’s diverse periods and genres.
Subbi, whose life was as colourful as his art, placed great emphasis on colour and developed a sophisticated, layered painting technique. He explored the balance between colour as a representational tool and its potential as an independent entity. In addition to his fascination with colour, Subbi was drawn to themes of memory, beauty, and space. His depictions of childhood objects can be interpreted as a Platonic quest for an ideal parallel world – a realm where the perfect versions of all phenomena reside.
Those Who Came Ashore and Became Rooted – The Story of Estonia Swedes
25.05.2025–28.06.2026
According to written sources, Swedish-speaking communities have lived on Estonia's islands and coastal areas since the 13th century. World War II scattered the Estonia-Swedes across both sides of the Baltic Sea. Today, the memory of these former inhabitants lives on through the names of farms, churches, and place names, while their culture is rediscovered through community events.
The exhibition “Rannarootslased. Estlandssvenskar. Estonia Swedes” explores the traditional culture and heritage of Estonia Swedes in the 20th century and beyond. It examines what characterised the lives of this unique cultural minority in Estonia, how they shaped their identity, and what has become of their descendants.
Fairy Forest – The Home of Kids’ Imagination
Since its launch last year, the Fairy Forest quickly became a favourite among families with children. Inspired by Estonian fairy tales, this activity landscape offers plenty of opportunities for young children: they can pick mushrooms, put on a theatre show, climb, or simply have fun. The Fairy Forest also hosts fairytale readings, crafting mornings, educational programmes, and birthday celebrations.
In the photos:
Estonian and Swedish fishermen
A fairy forest (By Anu Ansu)
White House (By Olev Subbi)
Ryoji Lkeda – the critical path (By Maanus Kullamaa)
Who claims the Night? (By Anu Ansu)
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