Gustav Adolf Day

This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the Department of Scandinavian Studies of the University of Tartu. As part of the anniversary year celebrations, Gustav Adolf Day will be held in November. As the founder of the University of Tartu, Swedish king Gustav II Adolf is the link between Estonia and Sweden, and the fact that the university has a Scandinavian studies department is a reflection of the historical connection that the two countries share.

On 4 November the department will be hosting a special event to mark this relationship. Speaking at it will be Swedish ambassador to Estonia Jan Palmstierna and Berth Sundström, director of the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia. Professor Sverker Oredsson from the University of Lund will be giving a presentation on the way views of Gustav II Adolf have changed over time, and Professor Helmut Piirimäe and Doctoral student Kristi Viiding from the University of Tartu will be talking about the founding of the university and the poetry dedicated to Gustav II Adolf in 17^th century Tartu. Students from the Department of Scandinavian Studies will be reciting poetry related to 17^th century Tartu, and the baroque ensemble Grupeto will perform music from the era.

The event will start in the department's library (Ülikooli 17) at 16:00.

Also marking its 20^th anniversary this year, the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia has a branch office in Tartu which bears close ties to the university. Its manager is Madis Kanarbik (telephone: +372 742 3625/e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).