Successful Tour of the “Mythbusters” Comics Exhibition in Estonia
When thinking of the Nordic and Baltic countries, the first things that come to mind might be trolls and Vikings, the midnight sun and polar nights, saunas and winter swimming, hygge and fika, Nokia and IKEA. You may also have heard about the region’s excellent school systems and strong social welfare models. But what lies behind these myths? Sixteen comic artists from across the Nordic and Baltic countries created works reflecting their own unique perspectives on life in the region.
The “Mythbústers” comics exhibition originally began its journey in Latvia, where it has been displayed at several venues, and the comics have also made their way to Lithuania. This summer, we were able to bring this sometimes funny, sometimes serious, and always thought-provoking exhibition to Estonia.
Two Stops in Summery Estonia
Since we had the opportunity to bring the exhibition to Estonia during the summer months, we decided to take it to places frequently visited by both Estonians and international tourists. These included Pärnu, Estonia’s summer capital, which always attracts large numbers of beachgoers and art lovers, and Haapsalu, where summer weekends are packed with events.
The exhibition opened in Pärnu in late June before travelling to Haapsalu for August. However, it was more than just a passive display. Children in both towns also had the opportunity to take part in comic-drawing workshops led by artists whose work was featured in the exhibition: Liisa Kruusmägi from Estonia and Emmi Valve from Finland.
Final Stop: The Estonian Academy of Arts
In early September, the exhibition reached its final stop in Estonia — a particularly fitting venue. Displayed in the foyer of the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA), it was hard for anyone entering the academy to miss. Hopefully, it inspired students and teachers alike.
The exhibition opening was followed by a panel discussion at EKA featuring curator David Schilter from Latvia and artists Emmi Valve and Joonas Sildre, whose work was also featured in the exhibition. To give art students even more opportunities to explore this art form, a workshop was organised as well. With Emmi Valve’s guidance, each participant was able to create their own zine — a self-published comic magazine.
Bon Voyage – and a Surprise Stop at the Nordic-Baltic Youth Conference
The “Mythbústers” comics exhibition proved so popular that the curator had to produce a second copy for its display in Helsinki. The exhibition will also be on view at the Nordic-Baltic Youth Conference, taking place in Tallinn on 4–5 December 2026. This will give participants arriving in Tallinn from across the Nordic and Baltic countries an opportunity to discover the region’s comic art.
And — if everything goes according to plan — there may be another opportunity to visit the exhibition in mid-2027. Stay tuned for updates!
The exhibition is organised by the comics publisher Kuš! in cooperation with the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Offices in Latvia and Estonia. It has been supported by the Latvian State Culture Capital Foundation, the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Offices in Latvia and Estonia, the Danish Cultural Institute, and the Embassy of Sweden in Riga.
Photos: Andry Arro and Mari Laikre, Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia
