Hermann Walter Memorabilia En Route to Tartu University
Memorabilia belonging to renowned Estonian explorer Hermann Walter is due to be presented to Tartu University, Walter's alma mater, in a special ceremony on September 19.
Hermann Walter, a physician, was part of the Eduard von Toll expedition of 1900, venturing from Estonia to the Siberian Arctic. The team vanished in 1902, and perished, amid treacherous Arctic weather conditions.
The memorabilia will be presented to university staff by Russian explorer Dmitry Shpara, a Walter enthusiast, and Estonian Ambassador to Russia Simmu Tiik.
The memorabilia was recovered earlier this summer. Shpara, himself a renowned explorer and endurance skier, was involved in an expedition to recover Walter's remains.
Dr. Walter was reburied last month on the Siberian island of Kotelny.
Tartu University Rector Alar Karis will be hosting the ceremony on campus this coming Monday.
"Hermann Walter is a Tartu University alumnus who is noted in the history of science," Karis told Delfi. "The university is grateful to all those involved in the recovery of Walter memorabilia and efforts to preserve his memory."
That ill-fated turn-of-century expedition led by von Toll was driven by the desire to find the the legendary Sannikov Land. Dr. Walter was not only along for his medical know-how, but because of his reputation as an ace hunter and good shot.