Candlemas – A Holiday for Women
Candlemas Day February 2th, 11:00-15:00
Candlemas was an important holiday in the Estonian folk calendar. On this day, the back of winter is broken, meaning that half of the winter has passed. Food stock was counted in barns and if only half of the stock had been used up, people could breathe easy because the family had enough food to last until spring. Making candles on Candlemas was a must because light sources made on that day were believed to burn the longest and the brightest. Women and girls anticipated Candlemas with particular excitement, as it was one of the four holidays a year when women could visit a pub, sing, dance, and even have a drink or two. On this day, men were supposed to take care of household tasks and mind children.
Today, Estonian women are able to decide for themselves what they do in life, when and if they get married, or how many children they have. Not so long ago, women fared far worse. During the Candlemas event, we will discuss various issues revolving around women’s rights throughout history.
Fascinating presentations on the situation of women’s rights in contemporary Estonia are going to take place in Kolu Inn. You can also visit the farms of the museum to see scenes of living history depicting the lives of women during different eras.
The event is free to attend with a museum card, Tallinn Card, or an Estonian Open Air Museum annual pass!
At Kolu Inn from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Presentations and discussions on women's roles and freedom of choice throughout history and today. Come and join the conversation!
The discussion day will be led by Einike Sooväli, Project Manager for Integration and Social Programs at the Estonian Open Air Museum.
Schedule:
11:30 AM – The Role of Women in Erza Culture – Natalja Jermakov, researcher at the Estonian Literary Museum, President of the Union of Nationalities of Estonia.
12:30 PM – Stories of Sexual and Gender Minorities in Estonia – Rebeka Põldsam, ethnology researcher at the University of Tartu.
On January 1, 2024, marriage equality came into effect in Estonia, marking a significant milestone for the international LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) movement, which has advocated for equal rights since the 1980s. However, there are records of same-sex wedding celebrations in Estonia as early as the 1930s, as well as same-sex partner search ads in newspapers from the 1920s and 1990s. The discussion includes representatives from Q-Space.
1:30 PM – Estonians’ Sexual Life in Regilaul (Traditional Folk Songs) – Mari Väina, folklorist.
2:30 PM – Gender Equality in Estonia – Uljana Ponomarjova, Estonian Human Rights Centre.
Scenes of living history in the farmsteads
11.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.
Härjapea Farm – A Woman Wants to Go to University?! (Year 1925)
The eldest daughter of Härjapea Farm has graduated from high school and wants to study at the University of Tartu. Although women have been able to study as full-fledged students at the university for ten years now, not everyone in Estonia has adjusted to this reality. Many men, in particular, are alarmed, still believing that a woman's place is at home, by the stove. A common opinion is that women are incapable of concentrating and that their brains are not suited for university-level education.
Despite public opinion, Elli, the daughter, is determined to enroll in medical school. However, her suitor wishes for her to become a diligent farmwife instead. What arguments do both sides have, and what do her parents think about their daughter's future plans?
Nulli-Maie’s Sauna – The Life of a Single Woman in the Late 19th Century
Nulli-Maie is a single woman whose husband passed away several years ago. Her children are grown, live far away, and do not take care of their mother. She must manage all the work alone. To heat her chamber, she needs to find firewood, saw it, and chop it. Since it is impossible to use a two-person saw alone, Maie has invited her neighbor Leena, an old maid, to help her. As a token of gratitude, Maie will heat the sauna for Leena and offer her a red drink in honor of Candlemas. Celebrating together is always better!
Kuie School – A Woman in a Man’s Job! (Year 1887, Reign of Alexander III)
For years, the school has been led by schoolmaster Jaan, who is well-liked by both students and villagers. However, Tsar Alexander III has issued a decree stating that from now on, education will be conducted in Russian. The school inspectors deemed Jaan's Russian language skills inadequate, and he was dismissed.
A new teacher has been appointed – a young woman fluent in Russian. Schoolmaster Jaan and the villagers are deeply concerned. What kind of teacher can a young woman be for unruly boys and cheeky girls? Will schoolmistress Anna be able to manage?
Sepa Farm – From Mother to Daughters (Early 20th Century)
The master of the house has gone to help shoe horses at the Sänna manor. Meanwhile, the mistress and her daughters celebrate Candlemas – one of the most cherished days of the year for women. Every mother has the duty to pass on knowledge and skills to her children for their future.
Today is the perfect day to teach the girls how to make candles and celebrate together. On this special occasion, they prepare festive meals, enjoy drinks that make their cheeks glow, and sing songs. Being with their mother makes them feel safe and secure.
Lau Village Shop – Women in Business (1930s)
A shopkeeper and her grown daughter, Liis, run a village shop. They own no land, so they must earn a living through trade. To attract customers, they have purchased a radio to create a cheerful atmosphere and loosen purse strings more easily.
To improve their livelihood, they rent out the back room of the shop to a tailor and organize cooking courses for local ladies. However, the most crucial factor in their success remains the shopkeeper’s own enthusiasm and sales skills.
Collective Farm Apartment – An Educated Woman and the Reality of Collective Farming (Year 1960, Shared Apartment)
The Järvesalu collective farm is bustling with activity. A new cattle barn has been built in Räbi village, but trained specialists are in short supply. To attract skilled workers, the farm offers good living conditions, which convince Maila, a newly graduated livestock specialist, to move to Räbi as a brigade leader.
However, upon arrival, she discovers that she must share her apartment with Leida, a dairymaid. How will the experienced farmwoman react to her new roommate, who is full of ideals and fresh out of school?
The Seto Farm, the Peipus-Russian House, and the Kolga Farm barn exhibition "Every Little Step Counts" are also open to visitors.
Coachmen are waiting by the Kolu Inn to offer horse-drawn rides.
HOW TO FIND US?
By car: free parking at the parking lot at the main entrance of the museum.
By public transport: buses No. 21 and 21B will bring you to the main entrance of the museum (bus stop Rocca al Mare) or to the rear gate closer to the event location (bus stop Õismäe raba). Buses No. 41 and 41b will get you from the museum to the city centre.