The exhibition summarises the history of the Estonian book culture and written word from its beginnings till the National Awakening: figuratively speaking, from the Kullamaa manuscript to Kalevipoeg, from hymn books to song festivals, from the ABC-book to academic writing.

Through rare books and significant literary works, the display tells the story of how Estonians were educated and became a cultured nation: how they learned the Word of God, learned to read, began writing and composing poetry, and became an educated and free people. The first known reference to an Estonian-language book dates back to 1525. The oldest surviving fragments of a publication in the Estonian language are from 1535. The Reformation paved the way for books and education in the vernacular, and, for the first few centuries, Estonian books were religious and translated. The poet Hando Runnel aptly puts it: “Writing begins with the Church; a nation begins with a book.”

The symbol of the exhibition is the ABC-book rooster, which originally appeared on a reliquary in the Castle Church of Wittenberg. It made its way into ABC-books through an engraving by Lucas Cranach the Elder. The display of relics of the written word begins with the earliest handwritten texts in Estonian and the Wanradt-Koell Catechism, printed in Wittenberg. Alongside Estonian rarities, the exhibition also features letters from Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon to the Tallinn Town Council, the oldest surviving incunabula in Estonia and rare books from the library of St Nicholas’ Church.

NB! The exhibition will change, and the relics will vary.

Since the rarest manuscripts and publications can only be displayed for a limited time, some exhibits will be rotated during the exhibition as the thematic focus changes.

Beginnings of the Written Word (24 April – 25 May)
Poetry and Song (27 May – 3 August)
The Light of Education (5 August – 28 September)
Freedom and Awakening (30 September – 26 October)

Team
Curators: Aivar Põldvee (Tallinn University), Lea Kõiv (Tallinn City Archive) and Tiiu Reimo
Exhibition design: Tiit Jürna
Graphic design: Asko Künnap
Design of the children’s area: Mae Kivilo
Technical manager: Andres Amos
Educational programmes: Keidi Kaitsa-Pihlamägi
Coordinator: Annika Teras

Exhibition team: Merike Kurisoo, Tarmo Saaret, Renita Raudsepp, Tõnis Medri, Villu Plink, Kaarel Eelma, Klaire Kolmann, Marju Kubre, Richard Adang, Külli Kõiv and Kadi Raudalainen

More information and tickets:
https://nigulistemuuseum.ekm.ee/en/syndmus/estonian-books-500-relics/

Exhibition "Estonian Book 500: Relics"