Exhibition "For the First Time in London" introduces the Estonian Olympic history and London 2012 Games

18.04.2012

Exhibition "For the First Time in London" which gives a glimpse into the history of the Olympic Games, Estonian athletes   in the Olympic context and London 2012 Olympics, opens in the main exhibit hall and foyer of the Estonian National Library on the 18th  April at 16.00hrs.

The 2012 Olympic Games will take place  in London between July 27 and August 12. Although London will be hosting Olympics for the third time already, it is for the first time that Estonia will participate in London Games. 

Exactly 100 years ago - in the Summer of 1912  Estonians took part for the first time in the Olympic Games in Stockholm where the wrestler Martin Klein won the first Olympic medal for Estonia. Exactly 20 years ago the athletes from newly re-independent Estonia were able to step into the Olympic arena by participating in the 1992 winter Olympics in Albertville as well as in the summer Olympics in Barcelona. It is exactly to these marvellous events that the exhibition "For the First Time in London" is dedicated. 

The exhibit telling the story of the Estonian Olympians that began 100 years ago will open exactly 100 days before the start of the  upcoming London 2012 Games. The exhibit will be opened by the President of the Estonian Olympic Committee Mr. Mart Siimann, British Ambassador Mr Christopher Holtby, the Head of the Estonian National Library Mrs Janne Andresoo, Head of the Sports Museum Mr Daimar Lell and Mr Gerd Kanter, the Beijing Olympics gold medallist. At the opening of the exhibition, the Estonian Sports Museum will announce drawing competition for kids entitled "Picture for the Olympic Book" running until the end of the London Olympic Games. 

The exhibition rich in photo material on display contains a number of unique exhibits such as the very first Olympic medal won by Estonia, documents, souvenirs, pieces of art. The exhibition gives an overview of the London 2012 Olympic Park and venues. The clock above the exhibition area is counting down the time remaining until the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games. 

The exibition is organised jointly by the Estonian Olympic Committee, British Embassy in Tallinn, Estonian National Library and  Estonian Sports Museum and it will remain open until May 24. The exhibition texts were produced by Kalle Voolaid, designer Maret Kukkur. 

Welcome! 

More information:

 Anu Kaljurand,  Estonian Olympic Committee, Mobile: +372 501 3684 

Kalle Voolaid,  Estonian Sports Museum, Mobile: +372  730 0753 

Kai-Ines Nelson, British Embassy,  Mobile: +372 515 0709 

Katrin Männi,  Estonian National Library, +372 630 7150 

Annika Koppel, Estonian National Library   +372 630 7260