Hanseatic Days Bring Rare Medieval Toys to Town
The Tartu Toy Museum is highlighting games from the Hanseatic period in the run-up to the city's annual three-day festival commemorating medieval trading.
A special exhibit of medieval games and toys opened at the museum yesterday and will run just five days.
The museum's hands-on play room will host weaving and ribbon plaiting activities. In the gallery, children and adults can roll dice and learn the rules of old board games, ERR radio reported.
After the festival opens tomorrow, the area in front of the museum on Lutsu tänav will become "Kids' City" while toy construction workshops take place in the gallery.
The nearby Teatri Kodu theatrical puppet museum will show off a 700-year-old home, a rare hypocaust system from the 14th century and various archeological finds.
The July 20-22 Hanseatic Days festival will feature different thematic areas, or "cities," new ones this year being Science City on Toome Hill and Art City on the banks of the Emajõgi.
The Hanseatic fair with artisans and artists will begin on Saturday morning.
The Tartu Triathlon on July 21-22 is also taking place in conjunction with the festival this year.
Kristopher Rikken
