Raamatukogu koostöö vabade kunstide professuuriga

Abstract

Library cooperation with the liberal arts professorship

Ene Paldre, Librarian, Academic Affairs Specialist In recent years, the University of Tartu Library has intensified its cooperation with the liberal arts professorship, offering both professional support and an inspiring environment for the activities of creative individuals. The tradition of the liberal arts professorship, which dates back to 1992, brings one outstanding Estonian creative person to the university every year. The library has organised several exhibitions with former professors, such as Olga and Priit Pärn.

In the 2024/2025 academic year, music listening evenings were held in the library’s Music Department at the initiative of liberal arts professor Kadri Voorand. The idea was to offer an uninterrupted listening experience, concentration, and introspection – without phones, talking, or everyday thoughts. Each week, one Estonian musician chose one album that was listened to together. The dim room, free seating positions, and the opportunity to write down thoughts while listening created a quiet, therapeutic atmosphere.

At the end of the year, a sound exhibition “If to Be Really Honest, then…” was held based on Voorand’s course. Both the students and professor Voorand participated in the exhibition, reading out short stories where the sound of the voice and the content of the story formed a whole. Both initiatives were born in close cooperation between the Institute of Cultural Research and the library and showed well how the library can host creative events and be a link between the academic and
cultural worlds.