As soon as you get a chance to take a walk around Tartu, two things will instantly catch your attention: graffiti and statues or sculptures!
There are numerous sculptures all around Tartu that we pass by daily without noticing, but it is finally the time to take a moment to have a quick look at their history and significance. You can also find a link to a route that will guide you through all these statues at the end of the post. Let’s get started:
- The Kissing Students Sculpture and Fountain:
Without a shadow of a doubt, the Kissing Students sculpture and fountain is one of the most recognized symbols of Tartu. If I had to choose only one sculpture from this list as the most popular one, this is definitely it! Located in the city’s heart, the kissing Students sculpture was created by Mati Karmin and completed in 1998, while the fountain itself was built in 1948. As of 2006, the fountain is surrounded by tiles bearing the names of Tartu’s sister cities: Bærum, Deventer, Ferrara, Frederiksberg, Hafnarfjörður, Hämeenlinna, Kaunas, Lüneburg, Pihkva, Riia, Salisbury, Tampere, Turu, Uppsala, Veszprem and Zutphen. Each of these tiles is placed in the same direction as the cities lie from Tartu, with their distances also marked. The fountain was specifically visited by newlyweds who were seeking luck. Nowadays, it is a popular meeting spot for students and those who’d like to ice skate in winter!
The Kissing Students fountain and sculpture. Located in Raekoja Plats, Tartu. (Picture credits: Visit Tartu)
- The Father and Son (Isa ja Poeg):
The “Father and Son” statue represents the changing relationship between generations, as children grow increasingly apart from their parents. This well-known bronze work by sculptor Ülo Õun (1944-1988) was unveiled on Children’s Day, June 1, 2004, on Küüni Street. The sculpture depicts the sculptor himself with his son Kristjan at the age of one and a half years.
Isa ja Poeg statue. Located in Küüni 5b, Tartu.
- Oscar Wilde and Eduard Vilde Statue:
The “Oscar Wilde and Eduard Vilde” sculpture is considered to be a speculation of literary history. It represents Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), an Irish writer, and Eduard Vilde (1856-1933), an Estonian writer who were both contemporaries, seated on a bench together. The thing to note here is that although they were contemporaries, they hadn’t ever met, and this work of art is whimsical. Sculptor Tiiu Kirsipuu, who based the sculpture on photographs, stated that the year she had in mind when she created the piece was 1890, when the two Wildes may have met for a humorous conversation.
Oscar Wilde ja Eduard Vilde statue. Situated in Vallikraavi Street, Tartu.
- Johan Skytte Monument:
Johan Skytte was a Swedish governmental official, a teacher, and King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden’s advisor. Skytte was the initiator of the idea of establishing the University of Tartu, as well as the architect of its privileges and the first chancellor. The Johan Skytte monument, which stands in front of the Supreme Court building, was unveiled on the 375th anniversary of the University of Tartu. Tiiu Kirsipuu and architect Ain Rööpson designed this seal-shaped monument.
Johan Skytte monument. Located at Lossi Street, Tartu.
- Eduard Tubin Monument:
Eduard Tubin is one of the most renowned Estonian conductors and composers of all time and the concertmaster of the Vanemuine Theatre from 1930 to 1944. The monument to Eduard Tubin stands on the slope in front of the Vanemuine Theatre. The monument depicts him conducting an imaginary orchestra. On June 19, 2005, the composer’s 100th birthday was celebrated with the monument’s unveiling. Extracts from E. Tubin’s composition may be heard twice a day near the statue, and they can be generated by striking the gongs near the wall. This monument is a work by sculptor Aili Vahtrapuu and architect Veronika Valk, and the sound installations are done by Frenchman Louis Dandrell.
Eduard Tubin monument. Situated in Vanemuise 6, Tartu.
- Women From The Countryside (Maanaised):
Women from the countryside is a pair of sculptures completed in 1974, by sculptor Mare Mikofi. The sculptures have been on exhibit in front of the leaning building of Tartu Art Museum since 2013.
It represents two women, one sitting and looking content and exhausted, and the other standing by her, holding her arm across the older woman’s shoulder, compassionately. The difference between these two generations is strongly depicted in their clothing – the younger is wearing trousers, a light vest, and platform shoes, while the older one is wearing a dress and an apron, with her feet bare.
Women From the Countryside sculpture based in Raekoja plats 18, Tartu.
- Oskar Luts
Oskar Luts was an eminent Estonian writer best known for his famous novel Kevade (Spring), a poetic and humorous narrative based on school recollections. Additionally, he has also written plays, memoirs, children’s stories, and feuilletons. His house, where he spent the last 17 years of his life, is situated at 38 Riia street in Tartu and has been turned into a museum. Oskar Luts was laid to rest in Tartu’s St Paul’s cemetery in 1953. Thirty-four years later, in 1987, a monument honouring this well-known writer was unveiled by A. Rimm and A. Murdmaa.
Oskar Luts monument. Situated in Vabaduse puiestee Street, Tartu.
Now that you know the story behind all these unique sculptures and monuments, here is a map of a short 20 minute tour around Tartu and check out some of them!
Link to the map.
All pictures belong to the author except when mentioned otherwise.
The cover is from Pikist.