“Our Tartu” is an exhibition about the residents of Tartu and its districts. The exhibition introduces visitors to the kaleidoscopic nature of this charming city through 17 chapters, conveying the unique feeling that makes each district, and the whole of Tartu, special. Each district has its own theme, and local residents share stories about their neighborhoods. It is uncommon for a small city to have so many diverse districts. Moreover, Tartu’s districts are not officially designated, making them primarily bearers of community identity.
At the exhibition, visitors can see the former tower clock of Tartu Town Hall, which is over 200 years old and has been put back into operation, enter the old lift of Annelinn, visit the Ropka bread truck, breathe in the smell of tomatoes in the last greenhouse of Jaamamõisa, browse the guestbook lost after the fire at the Vanemuine Theatre’s main building, generate electricity at Veeriku, wander through the labyrinth of Ihaste, peek inside the yellow ball Leo from Lõunakeskus, listen to the sounds of Toome Hill, see the lost world of Ülejõe, and much more – some surprises must remain!
One exciting aspect of the exhibition is that every visitor can contribute: bring items with interesting backgrounds to the exhibition or write their stories in the “Book of Stories”. Additionally, visitors can engage in bartering with flower seeds in Jaamamõisa and preserves in Supilinn, and leave their messages on the notice board in Karlova.
The exhibition also offers the option to book museum lessons and guided tours.
The curators of the exhibition are Maria Usk and Robert Varik. Other contributors include Risto Lehiste, Ilona Piirimägi, Lauri Räpp, Ants Siim, Asko Altsoo, Taavi Leppimann, Danil Taro (Sänk), and many residents of Tartu. The exhibition was realized with the help of Motor, Blueray, Dada, Salibar, PULT EXPO, Ö Stuudio, Hildegard Reimann, and many others.