Tallinn Botanic Garden to introduce Greek nature in April

  • 2022-04-05

April in the Tallinn Botanic Garden is dedicated to Greece with which Estonia celebrates 100 years of diplomatic relations this year. During the Greek month, plants of Greek origin are marked with information signs compiled by botanist Urmas Laansoo. On Saturdays, Laansoo is hosting a tour of Greek plants. In the Palm Hall during the whole month visitors have a chance to visit three different exhibitions: an exhibition of the wonderful world of the Greek plant seeds, an exhibition of characteristic vintage posters of the Greek Tourism Organization, and an exhibition of botanical illustrations, made by Niki Goulandris, the founder of the Goulandris Natural History Museum. 

The first exhibition displays samples of Greek flora seeds that were provided by the Balkan Botanic Garden of Kroussia (Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources-Hellenic Agricultural Organization Demeter), as well as the Diomedes Botanic Garden of Athens. The Greek seeds will further enrich the extraordinary variety of the Tallinn Botanic Garden plant collection. Besides the seeds, the exhibition presents the photos of seeds under the microscope.

The second exhibition displays a rare collection of vintage posters made for the promotion of Greek tourism over a period of 100 years, starting from the late twenties. Visitors will make a journey in time through art, as the posters transcend through different artistic styles and social trends. However, one thing remained unchanged between the decades, the breath-taking sceneries as well as the rich cultural heritage that made Greece one of the most popular travel experiences around the world.       

The third exhibition of botanical paintings is part of a collection, made by Niki Goulandris depicting various species of Greek wild flowers and peonies. Niki Goulandris (1929-2019) was a Greek philanthropist and a prolific botanical painter and illustrator, as well as the founder, together with her husband Angelos, in the 60s, of the Goulandris Natural History Museum that was the first museum of its kind to be established in Greece.

Urmas Laansoo's tours will take place on April 9, 23 and 30 at 12. During the tour, you can find out how many plants grow in Greece, which are the national tree and flower of Greece, and which plants of Greek origin can be grown in Estonia. The participation in the tour is with a regular ticket to the botanic garden. Registration at https://botalikaaed.ee/uudis/kreeka

In order to celebrate the 60th birthday of the Tallinn Botanic Garden, the botanic garden offers foreign embassies residing in Estonia from May 2021 an opportunity to introduce the biological and cultural diversity of their country in the botanic garden and thereby raise awareness of global nature conservation. Embassies can use the Tallinn Botanic Garden and, above all, its newly renovated Palm House as a venue and exhibition space for up to a month. The project of the Embassy of the Plant Kingdom will last until the end of the year.