Tallinn’s Kalamaja Museum has been awarded the prestigious Silletto Prize for Community Participation and Engagement at the 2024 European Museum of the Year Awards (EMYA) in Portimão, Portugal. The Silletto Award, established in 2011, recognizes museums for their outstanding community engagement efforts. The winner of the Silletto Award is selected by a jury of experienced museum and cultural experts from across Europe.
The Kalamaja Museum was described at the award ceremony as a small community museum that empowers the people in its local area. The museum’s core values and mission align with the needs of the community, encouraging residents and visitors to participate in or initiate new events, exhibitions, tours, and activities. The judges praised the museum for its ever-changing nature and its commitment to working with the community. They noted the remarkable range and originality of projects offered by the museum’s small team of staff.
Kristi Paats, the director of the Kalamaja Museum, expressed her gratitude for winning such a prestigious award, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in creating and sustaining the museum. She credited the community members, supporters, donors of stories and artifacts, and friends of the museum for their contributions. Paats hopes that the award will inspire other Estonian museums to prioritize community engagement in their work.
Heli Nurger, director of the Tallinn City Museum, highlighted the challenges of establishing a community museum in an urban environment. She commended the Kalamaja Museum for successfully promoting the identity of the area, sharing its history, and positively impacting the district. Nurger praised the small team of women at the Kalamaja Museum for turning it into the heart of Kalamaja and expressed satisfaction that their efforts have been recognized with a major European museum award.
The success of the Kalamaja Museum serves as a testament to the power of community involvement in shaping and sustaining cultural institutions. By prioritizing collaboration and engagement with local residents, the museum has become a vibrant hub for cultural exchange and historical exploration. The recognition received at the EMYA awards is a well-deserved honor for the dedicated team behind the Kalamaja Museum and a testament to the impact of community-driven initiatives in the museum sector.
In conclusion, the Kalamaja Museum’s achievement in winning the Silletto Prize for Community Participation and Engagement is a testament to the museum’s commitment to empowering its local community. Through innovative programming, collaborative partnerships, and a strong focus on community involvement, the museum has become a beacon of cultural enrichment in Tallinn. The recognition received at the EMYA awards is a well-deserved accolade for the museum’s dedicated team and a testament to the transformative power of community engagement in the museum sector.