When I first came to Estonia, I did not know I would move here. I was enchanted by the forests and the folklore, but also at what seemed to me at the time, a different pace of living, one that embraces moments, nature and cuteness. Literally, I found everything cute. Flowers distributed in the main square, picturesque cobblestone streets, chocolates, woollen mittens for the snow, wooden houses in different colours, cats lurking outside on the houses’ windowsills…wait, cats, that was it! That is why everything was cute, they were everywhere!
I do not know how to say it, but feline creatures do roam many places and decorate murals and street signs, somehow intertwined with some kind of fairytale. Then, I moved here! A few glances in my garden and I saw little paws walking through the fences. “Tip-tip-prrr-feed-me-pet-my-head”
Have you noticed that Kalev, the Estonian chocolate brand has a series of chocolate with a cat, too? Not to mention the Tartu 2024 non-alcoholic beverage is also cat-themed.
Isn’t this just cuteness overloaded?
Sooner or later, in snowy or sunny weather, there is no chance you won’t have an encounter with a cat roaming the streets. Winter time brings a parade of window cats. One morning on my way to the bus stop I spotted ten lurking around Kastani street in the less than 15 minutes I was walking around. In winter it is not just the majesty of snow but of the little paws that if you go close enough they might tap and watch you through a glass. Then, seasons will change and the snow will give its place to flowers and grass…and cats…chasing around insects or being warmed by the sun rays with their belly open, a trap to human hand when they will welcomingly play with you.
You can spot these moments, especially in Karlova and Supillin. These cats are no strays, they just…own the place. Yes, I have pet them all.
Come on, who would not be trapped by this beauty?
Or this one who, apparently, had the guts to climb on my back. And stay there, refusing to get down...
Do not worry, if the weather is cold, they are probably just spying on you from windows.
Do you want to get a cultural experience and pet a cat? Tartu has you covered. TYPA letterpress and paper art centre, is supervised by Ruby, the museum cat. I went to a printing workshop and Ruby was on my lap, purring. A dream. Of course, there’s a dedicated instagram page.
Aparaaditehas is also very much owned by Gutenberg, a fluffy ball of claws if you pet him anywhere farther than his head!
To the ones who seek a bit more adventure away from the city centre, take the bus and head towards Kallaste, near lake Peipsi. A walk around might surprise you from the number of these little creatures lying around, even waiting for belly rubs (or death traps)!
(Photo credits: Vaso Karanasou)
To the desperate ones that were not blessed with petting cats around in Tartu, there is always the cat shelter. People can visit and donate and even volunteer or foster a cat that ended up away from home, or is seeking a new one.
If you are missing or have a need for cat pets and purring, maybe some cuddling and of course a judgemental look, the streets of Tartu have you covered by the cats that own most of them!
Photos author’s own unless otherwise noted.
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