We know Estonia
29.1.2026 | Culture

Stories of Light in the Dark: When Legends Shine

Text Stewart Johnson
Photo Estonian Open Air Museum

Stories of Light in the Dark: When Legends Shine

 

Estonia’s Open Air Museum regularly hosts a number of exhibitions, and the latest is a temporary one featuring light installations created by students of the Estonian Academy of Arts, or EKA. This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday starting at 19:00, the lights will be turned on in the darkness of winter.

The “Stories of Light in the Dark: When Legends Shine” exhibition focuses on how oral traditions and stories pass from generation to generation, and how they can take on new forms in the darkness. Light, shadows, and legends come together to create a unique new way of looking at life, and all its beauty. This is a novel way to view folklore in today’s world.

Under the tutelage of Elo Liiv, EKA students have created an atmosphere conducive to observing and experiencing life like you’ve never seen it before.

On Saturday and Sunday, the light installations will be turned on at 17:00, which is just after sunset at this time of year. The ticket office will remain open until 20:00, but the museum grounds themselves are open to the public until 22:00, if you’ve already bought a ticket and entered. Tickets are €7, family tickets are €15 for two adults and their children 18 and under, and kids under 8 enjoy free entry.

The Estonian Open Air Museum is a vast museum by the seaside showcasing traditional ways of life in Estonia from previous centuries, as well as from the various regions of the country.

More information is available here.

 

 

 

To learn more about this and similar topics
Art Estonian Academy of Arts Events in Tallinn Exhibition Light Installation Open Air Museum Vabaõhumuuseum Winter

25.3.2026 | Culture

The Cure to Perform in Tallinn’s Unibet Arena

The Cure to Perform in Tallinn’s Unibet Arena

One of the UK’s most legendary bands, The Cure, have announced an upcoming concert in Tallinn’s Unibet Arena on … Read more

24.3.2026 | Culture

Karaoke and Art in Tartu

Karaoke and Art in Tartu

Opened in early February in the former Tampere House premises in Tartu, the Ainola Centre—connecting Estonian and Finnish cultural … Read more

24.3.2026 | Culture

Easter Egg Hunt at Estonian Open Air Museum

Easter Egg Hunt at Estonian Open Air Museum

Whether you’re a churchgoing person or not, everyone enjoys a good, old-fashioned Easter egg hunt, and that’s exactly what … Read more

23.3.2026 | Culture

Exciting events in Estonia this week

Exciting events in Estonia this week

21 November 2025–28 March 2026 Dark Night of the Soul, Kuressaare The final week to see this exhibition in … Read more

22.3.2026 | Culture

Via Crucis in Musical Form

Via Crucis in Musical Form

Although Estonia is one of the least religious countries in the world—according to the 2021 census, 16.3% identified as … Read more

21.3.2026 | Culture

2026 Tallinn Open—Kristjan Palusalu Youth Wrestling Tournament

2026 Tallinn Open—Kristjan Palusalu Youth Wrestling Tournament

The 2026 Tallinn Open—Kristjan Palusalu Youth Wrestling Tournament is a large international wrestling event taking place in Tallinn from … Read more

20.3.2026 | Culture

The Many Tricks of Smugglers at the Police Museum

The Many Tricks of Smugglers at the Police Museum

It is often said that forbidden fruit is the sweetest. This saying holds true worldwide, and is especially familiar … Read more

19.3.2026 | Culture

Kumu Now Features Perhaps the Most Central 20th-Century Estonian Artist

Kumu Now Features Perhaps the Most Central 20th-Century Estonian Artist

The new exhibition at the Kumu Art Museum opens a window into the life of one of the most … Read more