Collecting local stories in Tartu
Our Tartu Living Lab, in collaboration with the Estonian Folklore Archives, has initiated the collection of local stories in the Ülejõe, Kvissentali, and Raadi districts of Tartu.
Through this initiative, we encourage the preservation of nature-related place-based heritage in Tartu. Local, small-scale stories contribute to a sense of place and foster relationships between people and nature. Urban environments, especially areas on the city outskirts, are under significant pressure from change; familiar places for both humans and other species are rapidly transforming or disappearing. Stories provide a way to map, value, and interpret these places.
The story collection was launched on the evening of November 14, 2024 at Lodjakoda. The event began with a short walk along the Emajõgi River, where writer and biologist Juhani Püttsepp shared stories from the area, folklorist Mathilda Matjus discussed encounters with wildlife as documented in the Estonian Folklore Archives, and artist and anthropologist Hildegard Reimann recounted tales of urban foxes. Attendees were also invited to share their own stories during the event.
Stories can be submitted via email to coevolvers@ut.ee, through the Kratt web application, or via NatureNex
For more information about the story collection, please contact riin.magnus@ut.ee or lona.pall@ut.ee.