In autumn 2022, Vastseliina borough, located at the intersection of roads in the Piusa Valley, celebrated its hundredth birthday. The initial incent for the establishment of the borough was the first two building plots distributed at the meeting of the local rural municipality council in September 1922. Vastseliina began to expand rapidly, mainly craftsmen settled there. Stores were opened one after another, and after the opening of the community center, social life started blooming. In a few decades, the remote municipal center turned into a thriving borough, which even had its own newspaper.
Who were the people who settled there at that time?
Where did they come from, what did they do?
How much do we know about these people today?
We have an increased interest in our heritage and origin. The exhibition “The First Ones.” offers an opportunity to take a look at the birth of one of the South Estonian boroughs through people. They came from different places, closer and further away, and settled in Vastseliina, forming together a vibrant and open society covering all areas of life.
Unfortunately, the display of the first inhabitants of the borough of Vastseliina is not complete. It is not possible to find data and photos about all the creators of the borough. Maybe there is a possibility that an exhibition visitor can help.
Ago Ruus (1949) is a film operator from Vastseliina who, while working in Tallinnfilm, has filmed among other movies „Nukitsamees” and „Karoliine hõbelõng”. After the Tallinnfilm was closed down, he founded a small studio called PROfilm, where he continued with the film in general. Ruus is the founder of the Matsalu Nature Film Festival and until 2016 has been an active programme manager. He also has a strong interest in photography and its history. Ruus has compiled a book “Photographers of Vana-Võromaa”.
The exhibition will be open until 7 May 2023.
The exhibition is composed by Ago Ruus
Contact: +372 505 6691 / agoruus@gmail.com
Graphic design: Egon Erkmann
The exhibition is supported by Võru Vald and the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.
Additional information:
Mari Škerin / gallerist
mariskerin@gmail.com
+372 53449447
https://facebook.com/vanavoromaakultuurikoda/
https://instagram.com/vanavoromaakultuurikoda/
Vana-Võromaa Museum and Art Gallery
Katariina allee 11, Võru, 65608
K-P 10am – 6pm
