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
Oct 28, 2025
Come and enjoy the Christmas spirit on November 30th (First Advent Sunday) at the Wittenstein Activity Museum, Tallinna Street, and Paide Town Square.
12:00–18:00 – Everyone is welcome to the Wittenstein Christmas Gifts and Flavours Market, stretching from the Wittenstein Activity Museum to Paide Town Square. The market will offer a wide selection of handcrafted products and local foods.
Cafés in Paide Old Town will serve special Christmas dishes and treats.
As Advent begins, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about Christmas presents — the market is full of unique handmade gifts. You can also make your own special presents in the Wittenstein Activity Museum workshops.
13:00 the folk dance groups Säsi from Paide Gymnasium will perform at the Wittenstein Activity Museum.
15:00 – Christmas concert at Paide Holy Cross Church by Paide Hammerbeck Primary School students.
Performing groups include the 2nd–4th grade girls’ choir Viisikamber, the 1st grade children’s choir Päikseke, the boys’ choir, the children’s choir, and the ukulele ensemble.
All are conducted by Malle Anton.
16:00 – Lighting of the Christmas tree at Paide Town Square. Performances by the Paide Music and Theatre House women’s choir and the young women’s folk dance group “Seltskond.”
Vendors are welcome to contact tel. 554 9899 or info@wittenstein.ee
For the First Sunday of Advent, the cafés of Paide offer special Christmas flavors and create a festive atmosphere.
Paide Central Square Café
Christmas dishes from different nations for both children and adults. The café will be filled with true holiday spirit, which you can enjoy together with Christmas flavors from November 30th until Christmas.
Treegeri Café
Delicious Christmas-themed pastries.
SushiMushi Paide
Japanese-style Christmas flavors.
Kreisi Trahter
Traditional tavern dishes.
Jaama Café
A pop-up Christmas food café in the courtyard of the Wittenstein Activity Museum.
Wittenstein Activity Museum Tavern
Christmas dishes from different historical eras.
Oct 6, 2025
If you are looking for a school excursion in December that combines education, experience, and festive spirit, Wittenstein Christmas Land in Paide offers the perfect solution. The programs are designed for school groups who want to learn about Estonian history, culture, and Christmas traditions through practical and engaging activities.
“A Fun Christmas Journey in a 19th-Century Small Town”
Students travel back in time to a 19th-century small town preparing for Christmas. They meet historical craftsmen such as apothecaries and blacksmiths, learning about their trades and daily life. In addition, students can participate in hands-on workshops where skills and knowledge are gained through practical activities:
These activities foster creativity, manual skills, and provide a thorough understanding of 19th-century culture and life.
“Christmas Celebration Through Estonian History”
The Time Center program takes students on a journey through eight different historical Christmas celebrations. Students meet characters from various eras and learn about traditional customs, sing and dance, bake gingerbread, and taste the foods eaten by ancestors during Christmas.
The programs combine history and culture with hands-on activities, allowing students to learn through experience and engagement.
Why Wittenstein Christmas programs are suitable for school trips
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Educational content: knowledge about Estonian history, culture, and Christmas traditions.
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Hands-on activities: crafts, workshops, and gingerbread baking develop creativity and manual skills.
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Age-appropriate: activities are tailored for different age groups, suitable for both primary and secondary school students.
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Diverse experience: time-traveling through Christmas celebrations of different eras provides both learning and entertainment.
More information and booking:
Email: info@wittenstein.ee
Phone: +372 5850 2001
Learn more about the programs:
Sep 3, 2025
🍂 September 27, 2025 — We invite everyone to Paide for the Foraging and Movement Festival! 🍂
The festival brings together different languages, traditions, and stories, opening a sporty weekend.
It’s a family-friendly day full of exciting activities, the joy of movement, discoveries, and tastes. All peoples living in Estonia are warmly welcome!
🍂 From 10:00 to 16:00 there will be an autumn market at Paide Central Square, Tallinna Street, and the Wittenstein Activity Museum.
The fair will feature handicrafts, farm products, forest goods, preserves, world cuisines, street food, and other interesting items perfect for an autumn fair.
Vendors, please contact: +372 5549899 or info@wittenstein.ee.
🍂 At Paide Central Square you can enjoy exciting performances:
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The day will begin with Arhailised Mehed, Albu Simmeldajad, and Albu Ärmoonikud.
- 11:00 a.m. Organ Concert at Paide Holy Cross Church
- At 11:30, slackline world champion Jaan Roose will walk high above the ground on a rope across the central square – from the tower of Paide Holy Cross Church to the SA Järvamaa building.
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12:00 – Sing Along style concert with GERLI PADAR and piano accompaniment
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13:00 – Ruslan ja Rute Trochynskyi concert
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14:15 – “LOTTE and ROOSI” concert – Gerli Padar and Camilla Parmas
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15:00 – Live Saxophone + EDM – Gunnar Laanejõe & Alessandro Minimo (UKR)
Program subject to change.
For children, there will be farm animals, bouncy castles, face painting, kids’ runs, and more fun activities.
🍂Next to Paide Muusikakool
At 10:30 begins the competition ‘Paide’s Most Beautiful Dog.’
Categories: Child and Dog, Above- and Below-the-Knee Dogs, Best Trick Dog.
The dog sports Hoopers and Rally Obedience will be introduced.
Info and pre-registration: Paide Dog Club NGO, Tel. 5168333, Marika.Helenurm@gmail.com, or on-site from 10:00. Participation fee: €10.”
🍂 At Wittenstein Activity Museum:
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Master workshops led by craftspeople of different nationalities from 11.00-16.00.
- Kazimiera Vellemaa makes hanging flower baskets from grass.
- Natalia Haug makes Embroidered Doves – Symbols of Peace and Love. In this workshop, we will create textile doves – symbols of peace and love. We will decorate them with beads and colorful pearls, reflecting on the meaning of each color in Ukrainian culture.
- In blacksmith´s chamber Tõnu Traks introduces blacksmiths work
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Mushroom exhibition
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Vegetable preserves competition – for participating please bring your vegetable preserve to the administrator table (Tallinna tn 9/11, Paide) in the previous day or by 11.00 on 27th of September.
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In Wittenstein Activity Museum the Folk Costume Advisory Center has prepared an exciting program:
11:00–12:00 Lecture by Lembe Maria Sihvre on historical aprons worn in Estonia
12:00–12:30 Mari Pukk from Hylda OÜ introduces the restoration of patterns from historical aprons and kerchiefs in the museum’s collection
13:30–15:00
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Demonstration workshop: sewing an apron with a reconstructed pattern from Türi parish (led by Margot Marks)
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Sewing a tobacco pouch with tassels, based on a traditional Türi woman’s design (led by Tiia Kontus and Silvia Aarma)
15:00 Presentation of the reconstructed apron from Türi parish (PM 328-E 53:2) and the Türi woman’s tobacco pouch (ERM 14861) to the Järva County Museum
The event is FREE!
From 10.00-16.00 Paide cafes offer:
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Treeger Café (Tallinna tn 27) – rich selection of pastries
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Central Square Café (Vee tn 1)– Armenian and Georgian cuisine
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Borscht Café (Tallinna tn 3) – Ukrainian cuisine
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Wabakohvik (Pikk tn 1) – healthy food
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Emmeliine Café (Väike-Aia tn 20) – Estonian cuisine
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In the Activity Museum yard (Tallinna tn 9/11) – foods from different historical eras of the Time Center
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Kreisi Tavern (Rüütli 2) – traditional Estonian tavern food
🍂 As part of the 43rd Viking Window Paide-Türi Public Run:
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15:30 Paide children’s run – 1 km
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16:00 Paide children’s run – 2 km
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16:20 Paide children’s run – 0.45 km
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19:30 Paide Heart Jog
Runs will take place on Pärnu Street, in front of Paide Music and Theatre Hall.
More information and registration: https://www.rahvajooks.ee/et/
🍂 20:30–21:30 – Opening concert of Viking Window Paide-Türi Public Run at Paide E-Piim Sports Hall.
Performance by STEFAN!
This event is part of the Estonian Folk Culture Centre’s activities supported by the European Social Fund and the Ministry of Culture (ESF-KUM) under the program of supporting community activities that promote integration.
Aug 28, 2025
Do you remember your first ABC book?
A new exhibition is now open at the Wittenstein Activity Museum:
“Books, Textbooks, School Supplies and Uniforms” from the private collection of Heli Mänd.
This unique display takes visitors on a journey through the history of school life in Estonia – from old ABC books and textbooks to school uniforms and classroom supplies.
Come and explore how school life looked in different eras. Younger visitors will discover something new, while older generations may find fond memories and nostalgia.
The exhibition is open during the museum’s regular opening hours: From 1st of September the museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday 10.00-18.00.
Exhibition is open until the end of the year 2025.
We welcome you to take a step back in time and experience the story of education in Estonia.
Aug 11, 2025
Paide Cafe day “19th Century Flavours – Wittenstein Style”
On August 16, Wittenstein Activity Museum will open a special pop-up café as part of Paide Cafe Day, inviting visitors to experience the tastes of the 19th century. The café will be open from 12:00 to 18:00 in the museum’s historic building in the heart of Paide, at Tallinna 9/11.
This is a rare opportunity to step back in time and discover what both the rural folk and the manor gentry were eating over a hundred years ago. The menu features dishes inspired by recipes and ingredients from the era – hearty roasts, rich soups, and authentic desserts that bring a slice of Estonia’s culinary history to your plate.
