Laulupeomuuseum

About the museum

The Laulupeomuuseum (Song Festival Museum) is in the former house of the Vanemuise Selts (Vanemuine Society) on Jaama tänav in Ülejõe. The building, constructed in the Classicist style in the first half of the 19th century, is a cultural monument. From 1870 to 1903 the Vanemuise Selts operated here, laying the foundations of the Estonian song festival tradition; the Tartu Eesti Põllumeeste Selts (Tartu Estonian Farmers’ Society), the Eesti Kirjameeste Selts (Estonian Literati Society) and the Eesti Üliõpilaste Selts (Estonian Students’ Society) also held their events in the house.

On Midsummer Day 1870 Lydia Koidula’s folk play “Saaremaa onupoeg” was performed here, which laid the foundation of the Estonian national theatre. In the garden surrounding the building, folk festivals were held at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, in the best years attended by almost 10,000 people.

In 1907 the building was bought by the Tartu Eesti Lasteaia Selts (Tartu Estonian Kindergarten Society), and the first Estonian national kindergarten began work in the house, operating there until 1988. The building then regained a theatre-related function. The Laulupeomuuseum opened to visitors on 19 October 2007 and belongs to the members of the Laulupärandi tee (Song Heritage Trail).

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Oma viisi hoides” on the history of the song festival
• Permanent exhibition “Eesriie üles! Vanemuise teater 150”
• Birthplace of the Estonian national theatre
• Museum park
• Member of the Laulupärandi tee (Song Heritage Trail)

Permanent exhibitions

• Oma viisi hoides – Permanent exhibition, open since June 2019, on the birth of the song festival, the preservation of its traditions and the part played by politics in the story of the song festival.
• Eesriie üles! Vanemuise teater 150 – The permanent exhibition on the second floor sums up the 150-year journey of Estonia’s oldest theatre, starting from the performance on Midsummer Day 1870.

Founded

2007

Operated by

Tartu Linnaajaloo Muuseumid

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On 18 May (International Museum Day) and 31 October (birthday of the Tartu Linnamuuseum) admission is free for everyone; if these fall on a Monday or Sunday, the museum is closed.

Exhibitions are free with the Museum Card. With the Family Card, a family ticket can be bought for the whole family named on the card.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum has a lift, so it can be entered both with a pushchair and by wheelchair.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

The museum organises children’s performances, family mornings and Christmas programmes.

Getting there & parking

From the city centre you can walk over the Kaarsild (Candle Bridge) and through the Ülejõe park to Roosi tänav, and from there to Jaama tänav; the museum is in the yellow house.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Tartu Linnaajaloo Muuseumid (Tartu Museums of Urban History) offer room rental.

Plan your visit