Walking tour “Ukraine Treasure Hunt”

On October 28th 2023 the University of Tartu organized the walking tour “Ukraine Treasure Hunt.”

The event brought together 25 participants from various backgrounds, including students and teachers from Ukraine, Estonia, Egypt, Georgia, and Kazakhstan. This event offered a unique experience of exploring Ukraine-related spots in Tartu to the participants.

The objective of the event was to uncover meaningful details that reflect support, solidarity, and respect for the Ukrainian nation, embedded in the city’s walls, bridges, and other often overlooked aspects.  Ukraine Treasure Hunt aimed to foster unity and dialogue between the Ukrainian community in Tartu and the broader academic community centered around exploring and understanding Ukraine-related locations within the city. The rationale behind choosing such a format stemmed from the unique experience the participants had during the event. This one-of-a-kind event allowed to combine and mix elements of group work, discussion, and lecture. The goal was to draw attention to the often-overlooked aspects, such as street art, stickers, and plaques, which serve as markers left by the Ukrainian community or those who wanted to contribute to it.

Following the exploration phase, participants reconvened in the auditorium for an insightful session. This segment was led by Michael Cole, a Journalist and Editor at ERR (Eesti Rahvusringhääling – Estonian Public Broadcasting), and a researcher at the University of Tartu. Cole delivered a presentation highlighting Ukraine-related spots and guided a discussion among participants.