University of Tartu rectors’ mug is the best Estonian museum souvenir

On Monday, 28 September, at the XXIII Estonian museum festival in Narva, the souvenir of the University of Tartu museum – a mug with the rectors’ signatures – received the Estonian museum souvenir award EMMA. The rectors’ mug shared the first place with the art lotto of the Art Museum of Estonia.

“A good museum souvenir carries a message and sells well at the same time,” said Project Manager of the University of Tartu Museum Külli Lupkin, who came up with the idea of the mug and brought it to life. “It is always good to learn something – every time you drink your coffee from the rectors’ mug, you can test your knowledge of the names and years of office of the rectors of the past one hundred years.”

The mug bearing the signatures of the rectors of the University of Tartu of the past one hundred years was created to celebrate the centenary of Estonia’s national university. The mug was designed by Maarja Roosi, Senior Specialist for Graphic Design of the University of Tartu Press.

This year, 28 souvenirs from 15 museums were submitted to the museum souvenir competition. The souvenirs were evaluated by a jury of seven members who represented the Estonian Museum Association, the Estonian Association of Designers, the Estonian Academy of Arts and the Estonian Ministry of Culture.

The Estonian museum souvenir award EMMA was established in 2009 to highlight souvenirs developed at Estonian museums. When choosing the winners, the jury of the souvenir competition favours ideas that carry the identity of the museum and are inspired by its collections, support the exhibition activities of the museum, represent modern design and attractive implementation and value our cultural heritage or have an educational use. The award is given by the Estonian Museum Association in cooperation with the Estonian Ministry of Culture every other year.

Further information: Külli Lupkin, Project Manager of the University of Tartu Museum, 5554 2357, kulli.lupkin@ut.ee