28.2.2023 | Estonia

Two Ukraine-themed exhibitions have opened in Tallinn

Text Mark Taylor
Photos Marko Mumm/Estonian Foreign Ministry

On Sunday, February 26, two exhibitions devoted to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine opened in Tallinn’s old town. The exhibitions “ArtArmor” and “Ukraine – Crucifixion. 365…”, which are the result of a collaboration between the Estonian History Museum and the Estonian Memory Institute, are dedicated to the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

For Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu, these exhibitions are proof that aggression leaves a trace. “Our fate also depends on this war. Through the objects and messages displayed in the exhibitions, we can get a better and first-hand sense of the war that is taking place just a one-hour flight away,” said Reinsalu.

The exhibition “ArtArmor. Art that Saves Lives” is a unique project in which Ukrainian artists have transformed the metal plates of bullet-proof vests that protected the lives of Ukrainian soldiers during the war into unique works of art. With the money from the sale of these artworks going towards the purchase of new protective equipment for the Ukrainian army (body armour, helmets, headphones, gloves, goggles and more), which will save lives for a second time.

The exhibition “Ukraine – Crucifixion. 365…” tells the story of an invasion of a sovereign country’s territory, the likes of which have not been seen since World War II. The Ukrainian organisers of the exhibition, the staff of the Ukrainian Museum of World War II History, were among the first to enter the enemy-ravaged territories after they had been liberated from the occupying forces.

According to Martin Andreller, a member of the board of the Estonian Institute of Memory and coordinator of the exhibition, the exhibition speaks for itself. “War touches us all, regardless of the physical distance from the front line. The exhibition is not about the past, but about the present, and our common contribution must be to ensure that the present becomes and remains the past,” said Andreller.

The exhibition “ArtArmor” is open until March 12 in the Great Guild Hall in Tallinn’s old town. Throughout February, entrance to the Great Guild Hall (which is part of the Estonian History Museum) is only 5 euros.

The exhibition “Ukraine – Crucifixion. 365…” is open until March 25 at 13 Harju tänav and is free of charge for everyone.