First Ladies of Ukraine and Estonia visit Maarjamäe Castle to reflect on history, memory and resilience

On 9 June, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska and First Lady of Estonia Sirje Karis visited Maarjamäe Castle in Tallinn, home to the main exhibition of the Estonian History Museum.

The First Ladies explored My Free Country, a permanent exhibition tracing Estonia’s journey from the declaration of independence in 1918 through the Second World War, Soviet and Nazi occupations, the restoration of independence, and the development of today’s democratic state. Through personal belongings, photographs, music and everyday objects, the exhibition tells the story of Estonia’s past from the perspective of ordinary people.

The visit also highlighted the role of museums in preserving historical memory and strengthening democratic values. Once home to the Museum of the Estonian SSR, Maarjamäe Castle was transformed after the restoration of Estonia’s independence into a space presenting history free from Soviet propaganda and grounded in historical evidence.

This transformation is closely connected with First Lady Sirje Karis, who dedicated more than four decades to museum work. A historian by training, she served as Director of the Estonian History Museum from 2006 to 2018, overseeing the modernisation of the museum and its exhibitions, as well as the establishment of the Estonian Film Museum at Maarjamäe.

The museum grounds also feature a collection of dismantled Soviet monuments, preserved not as objects of commemoration but as historical artefacts documenting the period of Soviet occupation. The site reflects Estonia’s broader approach to confronting the legacy of totalitarianism through education and historical interpretation.

For Ukraine and Estonia, preserving historical truth remains an important element of resilience in the face of Russian aggression and attempts to manipulate history. In 2024, the Estonian History Museum also hosted the exhibition Looted Treasures. Gold from Ukraine, presenting Ukrainian cultural artefacts confiscated by Estonian customs while being illegally transported through the Russian border. Following the exhibition, Estonia returned 274 cultural objects to Ukraine under a memorandum between the two countries’ ministries of culture.

First Lady Sirje Karis is an active participant in the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform. In May 2026, she joined the Platform’s digital campaign marking Mental Health Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of supporting children’s and young people’s mental wellbeing. Read more here.