A Life Story Like a Thriller! August Rei was a man who participated in almost all of Estonia’s pivotal historical events – as a revolutionary, freedom fighter, founder and preserver of the state. He served as Chairman of the Constituent Assembly, Head of State, and later as the head of the government-in-exile acting as president. Rei’s name deserves a place in our collective memory on the same level as Poska, Laidoner, and Päts.
The exhibition showcases concept designs for an August Rei memorial, created by students from the Faculty of Fine Arts and Architecture at the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA). The designs emerged during an interdisciplinary course, partnered by the August Rei Foundation. The aim was to find a contemporary and engaging way to create a national memorial in public urban spaces.
Students proposed both the location of the memorial and its conceptual solution. Formally, it could be an installation, architectural intervention, a work of art, or even a landscaping solution – such as a park or a fountain. The designs were based on both historical analysis and creative experimentation within Tallinn’s urban environment.
The projects were supervised by Andres Ojari, Toomas Tammis, Kirke Kangro, and Taavi Talve. The exhibition features a selection of the best student works.
1st Place Prizes:
- “Notes from a Stormy Path” – Aleksander Siim and Hanna Vinter (Square in front of Toompea Castle)
- “Park Tent” – Katarina Ild, Liisalota Kroon, and Piia Bianka Pere (Area between Estonia Theatre and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
2nd Place Prizes:
- “Land Divider” – Sofia Schneider-Sepping and Ats-Anton Varustin (Area between Vabaduse Square and Vabamu Museum)
- “Rei Bridge” – Marian Reva and Kail Timusk (Bridge between Estonia Theatre and Musumägi over Pärnu Road)
- “State Shadow” – Earle Wuda Nartey and Aleksander Kiigemägi (Green area between Nunne Street and Suur-Kloostri Street)
The exhibition is open in the 1st-floor gallery of the Research Library (Rävala ave 10) until 19 September 2025.
Come and explore the fresh ideas from young creators who interpret Estonian history and its future!
