Tartu to rename streets named after artists who joined NKVD units

  • 2022-11-11
  • BNS/TBT Staff

TALLINN - The Tartu city council has put up for public discussion a draft order that would change the names of Andrus Johani street and Kaarel Liimand street, located in the district of Ihaste.

The streets have been named after artists whose contribution to Tartu's cultural legacy cannot be underestimated, but who voluntarily joined the NKVD annihilation battalions -- units which committed crimes against humanity, the council said.

As street names are used in Uus-Ihaste that celebrate the heritage of the Pallas art school and art in general, it is proposed to also choose names from the field of art for the streets to be renamed. The streets will not be named after persons, however.

Residents of Andrus Johani street have proposed to rename the street Muusa (Muse) street, while the proposal as to the new name of Kaarel Liimand Street is Maali (Painting) street.

The alternatives put forward by the city government are Vaikelu (Still Life) street and Graafika (Graphic Art) street.

The final date for opinions and proposals is Dec. 4.