Spring Day and spring fair

Spring Festival and Spring Fair

Friday, 1 May, 11:00–16:00

This year, the Spring Festival takes us along the winding paths of how information was exchanged and spread in the old days.

Come to the museum and discover what fascinating tales old stories have to tell and how rumours travel through a village. How important information was gathered and passed on? How much could a letter matter? And can all news be trusted?

The Estonian Open Air Museum's traditional spring fair is also just the place to catch up on news and meet friends. Come, browse, and pick up whatever takes your fancy!

Sassi-Jaani farm – How do the stories of the past reach us?

One possible answer can be found in the documentary production by Kiikla community theatre: “Ethnologists' Journeys to Iisaku Parish”.

The performance starts at 14:00 and lasts 45 minutes.

Köstriaseme farm – Signs as message bearers

From time immemorial, household signs have carried messages. We will explore what family signs reveal about their owners and what the symbols used on objects mean. Everyone is welcome to devise their own family sign here.

Härjapea farm – The 1939 agricultural census

Data on farm activities and land use in Estonia was collected for the first time in 1929. This comprehensive census gathered information about crops, fruit trees and berry bushes, livestock, farm buildings and everyday life. During the next census, in 1939, an official has arrived at Härjapea farm to record everything related to running the farm in precise detail.

Pulga farm yard and sauna-summer kitchen – News spreads like wildfire

The parish messenger has brought the master of Pulga farm an order to join the manor's spirit convoy. The cotter's wife happens to be on hand, ready to pass the news on to others – and she has plenty more stories to share. Before long, the whole village will know, but what to take as truth and what to dismiss as idle gossip is for each person to decide.

Kolkhoz apartment building – The challenges of exchanging information

In the 1967 apartment, a visiting relative demonstrates an electromagnetic telegraph machine (a Morse code device) to the hostess.

In the 1993 apartment, the residents have found a way to get rich quick through correspondence.

In the 2019 apartment, sign language is introduced at 12:00, 13:00 and 14:00. A witty communication lesson is delivered by the cartoon “Three Friends from Prostokvashino”.
In the basement, you can build a simple eavesdropping device.

Kuie school – Reading and writing

In 1897, 91.2% of Estonians could read, and 77.7% could write. Today everyone is literate, but some old skills have been forgotten. Pick up a quill and ink and try writing – how will you get on? You can also read news in old newspapers, or cut out letters to put together your own news snippet.

Lau village shop – Post office and telephone point

Today the village shop also houses a post office where you can buy stamps and beautiful postcards. This may well be where some villagers came to collect a letter or book a long-distance call. Local notices can be found on the announcement board by the shop.

Orgmetsa fire station – From firefighters to musicians

Volunteer firefighters were not only respected figures in the village – they were also fine musicians. Pritsu Brass wind ensemble performs at 11:30 and 13:00. Come and listen!

Sepa farm – Long-awaited letters from afar

The family has brought out letters from Siberia – letters in which their relatives, exiled to that cold land, wrote about how they were getting on. Letters connect people and help maintain ties with home. The family has also come into possession of the anonymous denunciation that led to their relatives being deported.

Kolu Inn – What news do you bring?

The inn has always been a vital meeting place where news was heard and passed on. What a variety of colourful characters came through here! Deals were struck and the affairs of the world debated. Fairs were held here, and inns were the forerunners of shops. Today too, plenty of traders can be found around the fair – come and hear what’s new!