For Tartu Residents, Science Center Displaces All Others as Event of the Year (5)

Published: 27.12.2011 15:55

The Ahhaa Science Center in Tartu
( Photo: Postimees/Scanpix )

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In a year with much to commend it, the Ahhaa Science Center was voted the event of the year in a competition organized by Tartu City Government and the newspaper Postimees.

Tartu residents gave the nod to the hands-on discovery center located in a purpose-built building by the river and boasting a spherical planetarium and room-size exhibits.

Similar to Helsinki's Heureka (and also translating as "eureka"), the site has been a popular attraction internationally, including for Latvians, and the gift shop is regarded as one of the country's best toy stores.

The winner received as an award a sand-based artwork designed by glass artist Merle Bukovec, called "Ajatusenäitaja VI" (Achronometer).

Making the short-list of Tartu residents' favorites were Sten Kalder's gold in the world championships in OSY 400 powerboat racing, the new red city buses, the Europeade folk art festival, the arrival of Flybe on the local air travel market, and the opening of an air route to Helsinki.

Also mentioned were the new academic building of the Tartu Health Care College, a flea market by the river, the Aviation Academy's new building, Tamme stadium stands, Grit Sadeiko's European gold in the under-23 heptathlon, and the renovation of the
Old Observatory.

Over 5,000 votes were cast in the 14th instalment of the competition.


Kristopher Rikken

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Comments (5)

  • Tartlane

    27.12.2011 18:54

    AHHAA is definitely nice, but the ticketing is all fudged. €12 for one adult? That is crazy. If you earn the average salary in Estonia, you have to work 2.5 hours just to be able to take your kid to an educational center. So get this: kids enter free, but the family ticket is €26. The usual members of a family? Two parents, and kids. It's cheaper to buy two adult tickets for €24. What kind of logic is this? Even if they refuse to lower the single ticket price, the family ticket should be €20 max! The whole thing was built with euromoney, as far as I know. In England, the national museum is free, and if an exhibit is closed, they tell you while you wait in line and apologize. I paid the full price once, and two of the main exhibits were closed, and I didn't find out until AFTER I had paid the money. And if you want to see the planetarium, you have to pay for that too?

  • avatar

    knut_albers

    28.12.2011 11:32

    Tartlane, the usual members of a family in Estonia is a single parent, and kids from different 'sponsors.' Children are regarded in this society as a private matter. The ticket prices are only the logical continuation of Estonian family Policy. I'm pretty sure, that most mothers will not even notice the additional surcharge, while looking for money in their replicate Gucci bag. WARNING: Contains overgeneralisation! Does not apply for everyone! Content may cause rage among irritable people! Brands herein are registered trademarks of their respective companies! No liability for correctness and completeness of all information provided​​!

  • Tartlane

    29.12.2011 16:43

    @Knut, as usual you have completely missed the point. Why would you even think people would buy knock-off Gucci bags with their 2.5 hours' wages? Do you have any idea how many socks you can get at Rimi with that money?!

  • ameeriklane

    29.12.2011 16:58

    Has Tartu really gotten that boring that one of the main contenders to win this award was "the new red city buses"? So the new city buses are now the talk of the town?

  • Tartlane

    30.12.2011 17:25

    @Ameeriklane, have you seen the new red city busses? They are absolutely amazing. They actually get you from point A to point B. Never seen anything like it before.