“There and back. Livonian pilgrimages in medieval Europe”
On January 15 (Wednesday), starting at 4:30 p.m., the international exhibition “There and back. Pilgrimages of Livonians in medieval Europe”.
Medieval pilgrims were motivated by religious motives, today’s pilgrims are more secular and are driven by the desire to get away from the routine of everyday life, discover new places and experience the beauty of nature. But in addition to this external journey, the pilgrimage route also offers a person an internal journey, it has a spiritual effect. This is probably the reason why the pilgrimage is gaining more and more popularity. There are three pilgrimage routes in Estonia, two of which are already connected to the European network of cultural routes.
Like the rest of Europe, pilgrimage was part of medieval life in Livonia. From here they went to holy places both far and near, pilgrims from abroad visited more or less well-known places here, from Vastseliina to Kastre Castle. All of this left various traces in the material culture of the time, starting with works of art and symbols used on everyday objects, and ending with pilgrims’ clothes and souvenirs brought from the trip. This exhibition summarizes the relevant material of medieval Livonia, bringing to the public the lion’s share of the pilgrimage-related finds known from Estonia-Latvia together with the literary-artistic heritage. As a result, it turns out that our pilgrimage culture, born of personal piety, was significantly richer than previously thought, both in terms of places visited and pilgrimage practices.
The exhibits in the exhibition come from various Estonian and Latvian memory institutions: Tallinn University Archaeological Research Collection, Estonian History Museum, Estonian National Museum, Institute of History and Archeology of Tartu University, Tallinn City Museum, Tartu City Museum, Pärnu Museum, Cēsis History and Art Museum, Riga History and Maritime Museum , Turaida Museum-Reserve, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Board of Culture and Heritage Protection.
The curator of the exhibition is Erki Russow, an archaeologist and senior researcher at Tallinn University. Design work was done by Villu Plink and Jaana Ratas (graphic design).
The exhibition can be seen at the Wittenstein Activity Museum during the opening hours Mon-Fri from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Other times upon notice. Access to the exhibition is with a museum ticket.
As part of the exhibition, the museum also offers a special program:
On January 25, at 1:00 p.m., a meeting with the exhibition curator and archaeologist (PhD) Erki Russow.
Meeting with Inna Põltsam-Jürjo, historian and senior researcher (PhD) of Tallinn University, on February 8 at 1:00 p.m.
On March 15, at 1:00 p.m., a meeting with Anu Männ, a historian and professor of art history at the University of Tartu (PhD).
The exhibition “There and back”. Pilgrimages of Livonians in Medieval Europe” will remain open at the Wittenstein Activity Museum until March 31.
Additional information:
Ründo Mülts
SA Time Center Wittenstein/Järvamaa Museum
56682165