28.09.2024 – 30.03.2025
The ferry Estonia, which sailed under the Estonian flag starting from 1993, was the country’s largest and most beautiful passenger ship. Sharing her name with the passenger steamer that sailed on the same route before World War II, the ferry Estonia symbolised freedom, progress, and Western values for Estonians, which were not available to many at the time.
The story of the ship began in 1980, when the second largest ferry in the Baltic Sea departed the shipyard of Meyer Werft in Papenburg and set sail on the Stockholm-Mariehamn-Turku route under the name Viking Sally. Later named Silja Star and Wasa King, she was a modern passenger ferry, featuring everything for a fun and entertaining stay. The exhibition also sheds light on the everyday life on board at the time. The commemorative exhibition of the Estonian Maritime Museum reveals the story of the ferry – her construction, different owners, furnishings, and everyday life – and places it in the wider context of the ferry traffic on the Baltic Sea.
The voyage of both the ferry and 852 passengers on board was cut short on the night of 28 September 1994. The loss of the Estonia is the most tragic peacetime maritime disaster in the Baltic Sea, and it remains a source of deep trauma in the souls of Estonians and Swedes to this day. Only 137 of the 989 people on board survived.
The exhibition does not touch on the investigations to discover the causes of the shipwreck or the various legal aftermaths and processes, but culminates in an opportunity for quiet reflection and introspection.
The commemorative exhibition tells the story of the ferry Estonia from beginning to end, with dignity and respect for everyone who has been touched by the story of the ship.
EXHIBITION TEAM
Curators: Teele Saar, Urmas Dresen
Consultants: Marje Braunbrück, Raivo Hellerma, Edward Johansson, Roland Lemendik, Bruce Peter, Siiri Same, Sigrid Tammes
Exhibition graphic design and implementation: Pult OÜ
Bob & Doko (Anne Määrmann, Kristi Prinzmann)
Editing and sound design of the M/S Estonia documentary: Orbital Vox Studios (Uku Toomet, Andres Nõlvak)
Language editing: Hille Saluäär
Translation: Toimetaja tõlkebüroo
Creative consultant: Andres Roosileht
Preparation of exhibition items: Oksana Leontjeva
Installation of exhibition items: Villu Plink
Accessibility concept: Mihkel Karu
Translation to sign language: Jari Pärgma, Eesti Viipekeele Selts
Translation to easy-to-read language: Vaimupuu MTÜ, Kerttu Rakke, Janek Muru
Audio description tours: Kadi Kriit, Artur Räpp
Digital guide solutions: Karl Kipper
Museum education: Helene Uppin, Kristel Bultot, Carmen Kõrvek
Public procurements: Maie Tooming
Technical solutions: Helina Torv, Valter Vaht, Tõnis Veltman
Project manager for marketing: Iris Tomson
Project manager: Anna-Liisa Õispuu
Exhibit items:
Ahvenamaa Meremuuseum, Lasse Erikssoni Laevandusmuuseum, Pohjanmaa Muuseum, Rootsi Meremuuseum, SA Eesti Meremuuseum, Vaasa Meremuuseum,
Elna Aun erakogu, Marje Braunbrück erakogu, Andres Enula erakogu, Lars Karlssoni erakogu, Anneli Mägi erakogu
Photos:
Ahvenamaa Meremuuseum, Eesti Rahva Muuseum, estline.ee, Museovirasto, Pohjanmaa Muuseum, Pärnu Postimees, Rootsi Meremuuseum, SA Eesti Meremuuseum, SA Virumaa Muuseumid, Vaasa Meremuuseum, Warner Bros. Discovery (Monster AS), Wellamo merekeskus
Franz Erik Airiman, Raul Aljas, Elna Auna erakogu, Anna Johanssoni erakogu, Lars Karlssoni erakogu, Joonas Kortelaineni erakogu, Lisete Laisaar, Urmas Luik (Pärnu Postimees), Cecilia Lundberg, Tiit Mõtus, Argo Nurs, Elmo Riig, Kristi Sepri (Põltsamaa Valla Sõnumid), Rein Sikk, Aron Urb, Madli Vitismann
Video material:
Eesti Rahvusringhääling, Kanal 2, Lars Karlssoni erakogu
Special thanks to Susanna Allesson-Nyberg, Kairi Andersson, Mirja Arnshav, Inno Borodenko, Andres Eero, Lars-Erik Eriksson, Raul Ernes, Christa Grönlund, Hanna Hagmark, Ilona Hausmann, Päivi Hårdh, Kaj Höglund, Anna Johansson, Ain-Alar Juhanson, Sander Jürisson, Hannes Kadak, Sirpa Kantola-Pakkanen, KLG AS, Timo-Tapani Kunttu, Roomet Leiger, Rene Lemmik, Laura Maide, Mirjam Mardi, Õnne Mets, Bendik Mondal, Sari Mäenpää, Ants Ollis, Tiina Park, Jüri Pihel, Kevin Raba, Märt Raudsepp, Helvi Riihimäki, Ruth Ristimägi, Gethe Rohumägi, Tauri Roosipuu, Charlotta Ruotanen, Teijo Seppelin, Teele Siig, Evelyn Silmet, Tarvi-Carlos Tuulik, Ilves Valta, Mari-Liis Veskus, Ann Virkus, Emilia Wall, Kasper Westerlund, Minna Öberg
Sponsor:
Eesti Kultuurkapital
The exhibition was created in collaboration with Memento Mare