Feb 19, 2026
Jüriöö Märgutuled 2026 in Paide – A Free Estonia Lives!
Ajakeskus Wittenstein and the City of Paide invite you to Paide Vallimägi on April 22 for a special evening where history, fire, and live music come together. Jüriöö Märgutuled once again bring people together from across Estonia to light the signal fire and celebrate the endurance of freedom.
The evening begins with movement – participants will head toward Paide Vallimägi by running or walking from Türi, Väätsa, Kirna, and Mäo. The run and walk are organized by the Türi Sports Clubs Union and SA Paide Sports Center.
At 8:00 PM, the official opening of Jüriöö Märgutuled begins at Paide Vallimägi. Bonfires will be lit, speeches and performances will take place, and a festive atmosphere will be created.
At 9:00 PM, the signal fire will be lit at the top of Paide Order Castle tower, calling people across Estonia to light their own St. George’s Night fires and show together that a free Estonia lives.
After the signal fire ceremony, the stage will be taken over by the powerful energy of the band SADU. A strong open-air concert experience full of emotion, strength, and unity awaits visitors.
Concert
Advance ticket (Piletilevi, Feb 12 – Apr 12): €22 + €1.90 service fee
Piletite eelmüük: https://www.piletilevi.ee/piletid/FKU75ZLH4M/jurioo-margutuled-2026-sadu-paide-vallimael?design=&shop_provider=point
On site: €30
Run and Community Walk
Participation fee until Apr 12: €15
On site: €25
The participation fee includes a ticket to the evening concert.
Distances and Start Times
6:15 PM Türi → Paide (~15 km)
7:00 PM Kirna → Paide (~8.5 km)
7:00 PM Väätsa → Paide (~8.5 km)
7:15 PM Mäo → Paide (~5 km)
Pre-registration for the run/community walk is open until April 12:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZITkLnOju8jZBwrF0RlB3PV2ADCArtmIfwz_f1XccjXaULA/viewform?
We welcome everyone to Paide Vallimägi – come with family and friends, light the St. George’s Night fire, and be part of an evening where history meets the present.
A free Estonia lives! 🔥
Feb 17, 2026
On March 7 at 7:00 PM, a lively concert performance will take place at the Wittenstein Activity Museum, featuring beloved actors Indrek Taalmaa and Jüri Vlassov.
The audience can look forward to an authentic, warm and humorous evening filled with recognition, heartfelt laughter and great music. This is neither traditional theatre nor typical stand-up comedy, but rather a classic-style variety show in its finest form – a tasteful blend of vivid stories, witty observations about everyday life and well-loved, cheerful songs by Kuldne Trio.
The performance will be presented in two acts (1 hour + 1 hour) with an intermission in between.
Venue: Wittensteini Tegevusmuuseum
Date: March 7
Start time: 7:00 PM
Tickets are sold: https://piletikeskus.ee/et/e/ctdf57
We look forward to welcoming you for an enjoyable evening in Wittenstein.
Jan 21, 2026
New Exhibition: Delightful Animal Toys Through the Ages
Do you remember your childhood favorite – a soft teddy bear, a rubber bunny, or perhaps a wooden horse? The Wittenstein Activity Museum is proud to present an enchanting animal toy exhibition that offers a journey of discovery for both children and adults.
A Journey Through Time with Estonia’s Foremost Collector
This special display is part of the unique collection of artist and art teacher Heli Mänd. Heli has been dedicated to collecting toys for over 20 years, building an extraordinary archive.
This exhibition is more than just a display of toys; it is living history. Heli Mänd’s mission is to bring hidden memories back to life, and this showcase at the Wittenstein Activity Museum is one of many exhibitions she has curated across Estonia.
What to Discover at the Exhibition?
Animal toys have accompanied us through generations, yet their shapes and forms have changed beyond recognition. At the exhibition, you can explore:
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Rarities from the Past: See what animal-inspired companions looked like through the years.
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Evolution of Materials: Follow the timeline from wood and rubber to modern plastics and soft plush fabrics.
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The Joy of Recognition: Rediscover the very toys that belonged to your childhood or the childhoods of your parents and grandparents.
This is a rare opportunity to see how art and the toy industry have intertwined over time and to appreciate the emotional value these small companions hold for us all.
Visitor Information
📍 Location: Wittenstein Activity Museum, Paide 🕒 Opening Hours: In winter time Wed–Sun, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Visits at other times by prior appointment)
For more information about our activities, visit: www.wittenstein.ee
Jan 6, 2026
🇪🇪 On 23 February, we will celebrate the 108th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia with a festive evening at the Wittenstein Activity Museum (Tallinna St 9/11, Paide).
The talented Valter Soosalu will perform together with the Tihvan Big Band. Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy beautiful music and a delicious dinner.
Doors open at 7:30 PM.
The ticket price is €55 and includes the concert and a three-course dinner.
Tickets are available only in advance; no tickets will be sold at the door.
Ticket sales at the Wittenstein Activity Museum begin on 23 January.
Limited number of seats available!
The menu:
Starter
Dark bread with herring cream
Main Course
Traditional pork roast with Mulgipuder (Estonian potato and barley mash), served with glazed seasonal vegetables and a creamy mushroom sauce
Dessert
Festive treat with kama
More information: info@wittenstein.ee or +372 5850 2001
Dec 2, 2025
A new book about the stories and legends of the town of Paide has been published
A new work has been added to the cultural history of Järva County – fresh off the press is the book “Stories and Legends of Paide”, compiled by Tiiu Saaristi and Elle Näppo, members of the Friends of Järvamaa Museum Society. The book launch will take place on 6 December at 12:00 in the Wittenstein Activity Museum, where those interested can also purchase the publication.
The collection opens the door to the world of Paide’s folklore – to stories that are partly drawn from real life, partly passed down by word of mouth, and at times seasoned with a playful touch of imagination. The authors say that compiling the book was a kind of journey through the city’s layers of history and ancient tales. “We can’t always just dawdle around like Fred Jüssi. We wanted to do something that would connect the stories of the past with today’s readers,” says Tiiu Saaristi.
The idea for the book was born in the board of the Friends of Järvamaa Museum Society, where it was warmly received, and the society decided to cover the printing costs. The work was supported by several helpers. An important milestone was “Timid Waters and Secret Paths: Place Folklore of Järvamaa” (2004), compiled by Mari-Ann Remmel, whose author permitted the text to be quoted and used as supporting material. The language of the text was polished by Anne Kivimäe, the book was printed and bound by Kuma Publishing, and the cover design and layout were created by Rainer Alas.
The selection of stories emerged through extensive searching. “Surprisingly many interesting episodes can be found in old newspapers, and older local residents also remember quite a lot,” the authors note. “We tried to present the stories as authentically as possible – just as they were told by the narrators of the past.”
The museum staff also contributed to the completion of the book: together with Ründo Müls, the authors visited various sites to take photos, and with the help of Maie Rüütli, suitable illustrations were found in the museum’s collections. Paide Music and Theatre House supported the printing of the materials.
Now the result is bound between covers – a warm, memory-laden and folklore-rich collection that invites readers to discover the history of Paide through the stories and legends of its people.
Dec 1, 2025
Wittenstein Activity museum opened a new exhibition introducing the work of artist and Pallas University of Applied Sciences professor Heli Tuksam, titled “Stumps, Shoots and Spruce Trees”, at the Wittenstein Activity Museum.
Heli Tuksam (born 1956) is an artist originally from Pärnu. She currently lives in Järvamaa, surrounded by nature, but works in Tartu at the Pallas University of Applied Sciences. This year marks her 35th year of teaching. In 1985, she graduated from ERKI (now the Estonian Academy of Arts) from the Department of Painting, specialising in monumental painting under the supervision of Dolores Hoffmann. In her earlier work, the artist created numerous glass objects and stained-glass pieces, but in recent years she has focused mainly on acrylic painting. Tuksam has participated in several international exhibitions and many group exhibitions in Estonia.
Tuksam’s main sources of inspiration are her immediate living environment and often also certain feelings or emotions. For the artist, the act of painting is a dialogue with what unfolds on the canvas. This exhibition brings together works that deal primarily with the theme of forests and trees — with nature and the anticipation of the holidays at their centre.
At the exhibition opening, Pallas will also present the publication “The Rosette and Its Transformation in Interior Decoration”. The book compiles research conducted by students over several academic years on historical buildings and the rosette as a central ceiling cornice element, reflecting Pallas’ long-term restoration activity within Estonia’s architectural heritage. The publication examines the rosette as an important decorative and symbolic motif — both ornamental and believed to bring good fortune. Rosettes play a significant role especially during the Classicist and Historicist periods, which are represented in the examples discussed in the book. The overview is based on the interiors of two manors (Kiltsi and Esna) and one noble residence (the von Knorring House in Tartu). The book introduces the history and spatial layout of these buildings, breaks down the structure of their rosettes, and provides a stylistic overview of how rosettes and their elements evolved, accompanied by comparative examples from other Estonian manors. The selected buildings represent intentionally different conservation approaches. The book concludes with a small glossary, illustrated with examples and drawings, serving as a helpful resource for students, practising conservators, and those interested in art and architectural history.
Heli Tuksam’s exhibition will remain open in Paide until March 2026. Visiting hours are Wed–Sun from 10:00 to 18:00; other times by prior arrangement.
Additional information:
Ründo Mülts
SA Ajakeskus Wittenstein / Järvamaa Museum
5668 2165
