Christmas village "Shared Christmas"

The Christmas village will take place at the Estonian Open Air Museum on  December 14 and 15, from 11.00 to 16.00!

Christmas is a time for sharing – gifts are exchanged, festive dinners are shared, but most importantly, joy is shared through spending time together. During Christmas, more time is traditionally devoted to shared activities: cooking and baking, crafting gifts, and decorating the Christmas tree. As the holidays approach, people also think more about those who are less fortunate and make sure that even the poor and weak do not suffer on the most sacred evening of the year. Charitable events are held, and Christmas parties are organized. Of course, beloved pets are also not forgotten. Christmas spent together is sure to be beautiful and memorable!

Faint choir singing can be heard from the chapel, and the Kolu inn has become the centre of cosy fairgrounds while horse rides start opposite the inn, where a carriage will be ready to pick up passengers.

The event is free to attend with a museum card, Tallinn Card, or an Estonian Open Air Museum annual pass!

Köstriaseme farm – making wooden purses and knitting mittens for the poor families living on the grounds of the church manor

The farmer on Köstriaseme is a true woodwork artist! Right before Christmas he has gathered his apprentices for the final test, which is making a wooden purse. Come by to see them work! In the meantime, the women of the family are busy knitting mittens which will be donated to the poor families living on the grounds of Hageri church manor at Christmas. (The apprentices’ final test is conducted by Meelis Kihulane from the carpentry school ‘Edev Eremiit’).

Härjapea farm – mutual aid in the 1930s

Mäetaguse Rural Women’s Society headed by the hostess of Härjapea farm is preparing for the charity market to raise money for the studies of the youth unemployed due to the economic recession. The ladies are baking piparkook gingerbread cookies and making ornaments for the Christmas tree.

Lau village shop – instant lottery for promoting health!

In the living-room, you can take part in the charity lottery. Price is 2.- The proceeds will be donated for combatting tuberculosis and educating people on the principles of hygiene. If you still have some gifts to purchase or want to send a postcard, make sure to come by the shop as well!

In 2024, we will donate the proceeds to the Cancer Treatment Foundation, Kingitud Elu. Everyone can do good.

Pulga farm – a parish pauper’s Christmas in a farmhouse family 

The family on Pulga farm is celebrating Christmas the way their ancestors used to: there’s fresh straw on the floor, ceiling decorations made of straw, and the table is laden with the best food you could get. The kids are playing old Christmas games, and there’s also a guest, a dweller from the parish poorhouse, whom the family has invited over to celebrate.

Nulli-Maie cotter – Christmas joys in a cotter’s household  

Christmas in the poor cotter’s family is rather scanty, but there is still some joy from the gift from a well-off neighbouring farm: a beautiful Christmas album with sad and happy stories to be read aloud in turns.

Sepa farm – a warm and bright home for the holidays

The farmer’s wife is making candles from sheep fat. The farmer has just returned from the forest with freshly logged wood: Võru town has placed an order for firewood to be distributed among the poor at Christmas. The wood still needs sawing, and anyone can help!

Kuie school – Christmas carols for the poor  

The parish clerk’s wife is teaching Christmas carols to the poor people, so that they can sing at the Christmas party in the evening organised for the poorhouse by the pastor and the schoolteacher. You can also sing along!

Barn-shed building on Kolga farm – Christmas for the animals  

The hostess will tell you about the animals, and you will learn why special attention was paid to livestock at Christmas. Animals are no less dear to people than family members, so we need to know what they need and how they feel. Come by to see if there’s anything you didn’t know before.

Farm excursions to the barn-shed building on Kolga farm at
11.00; 12.00; 13.00; 14 and 15.00. Size of the group is 25 people.

Kolga farm – gifts for fatherless children of the coastal village

The farmer and his wife are getting ready for the Christmas party of Emmaste Youth Society and making toys for the children whose fishermen fathers were lost at sea.

Jüri-Jaagu summer kitchen - The Friends of the Estonian Open Air Museum are offering warm tea.

Kolkhoz apartment building – close-knit neighbours  

The building is full of delicious smells in December: there’s a meat roast in the oven in one apartment while the family is baking gingerbread cookies in the other, and sauerkraut is stewing on the stove in the third. The end of the year meant certain foods could be expected regardless of the year number! In the meantime, the children are making Christmas cards.

Kolu inn – Christmas dishes 

Our cosy inn on the side of the main road is the best place to warm your toes and have a bite! You will find the stalls of a small Christmas fair in front of the inn.

Horse rides are available starting from the stop opposite the inn.

Santa Claus and Yule Goat meet children in the Kolu inn at
11.30; 12.30; 14.30. 15.30

Sutlepa chapel – lovely choir concerts and the Christmas sermon

Saturday, 14 December 2024

At 11.00 Choir of Tallinn English College PTA (parents, teachers, alumni)

At 12.00 Vocal ensemble of Tallinn French Lyceum

At 13.00 Chamber choir ‘Peeteli’
at 14.00 Meero Music School

At 15.00 Chamber choir of the Estonian Academy of Arts

Sunday, 15 December 2024

At 13.00  Tallinn Free Waldorf school 3.-4. class
At 14.00 Nõmme Folklore School

At 15.00 Christmas sermon by pastor Heiki Neame.

HOW TO FIND US?

• By car: free parking at the parking lot at the main entrance of the museum or at the rear entrance parking lot (about 1 km from the main entrance in the direction of Kakumäe).

• By public transport: buses No. 21 and 21B will bring you to the main entrance of the museum (bus stop Rocca al Mare) or to the rear gate closer to the event location (bus stop Õismäe raba). Buses No. 41 and 41b will get you from the museum to the city centre.