Exhibition "Girls of the Free Country. The Life Fates of Ribbon Bearers"

Exhibition "Girls of the Free Country"
The Life Fates of Ribbon Bearers
 

13.02–25.05.2025

On February 23, 1918, at eight in the evening, the "Manifesto to the People of Estonia" was publicly read for the first time from the balcony of the Endla Theatre, which also marked the proclamation of the Republic of Estonia. The blue-black-white ribbons made for this occasion were the first symbols of the citizens of the Republic of Estonia.

The ribbons were prepared and distributed by the final-year students of Pärnu Girls' Gymnasium, who represented the patriotic part of the students that remained despite the war.

A photographic record of twelve girls gives a face to this historic event. 

"Citizens of the Free Country" provides a brief overview of the girls' fates in the newborn Republic of Estonia – some had short lives, some lived to be 93 and witnessed the restoration of the Republic, some fled to Sweden by boat, some were deported to Siberia, one became one of Estonia's first female lawyers, and another became a world champion in bridge. 

Wearing the blue-black-white ribbons was the first expression of patriotism, which the museum invites people to repeat every year on February 23.
 

Curator: Kristiina Vunk 
Designer: Indrek Aija