Kurgja farm museum holds 32nd farm day despite bad weather

Despite poor weather, a sizeable crowd attended the 32nd farm day at the Carl Robert Jakobson Farm Museum in Kurgja, North Pärnu County, ERR reported.

Traditional farm work was demonstrated throughout the day. The most anticipated events were the start-up of a threshing machine and a performance by the legendary bagpipe ensemble Linnutaja.

Linnutaja opened the farm day with a performance, as it has done every year. “We were created as an ensemble for Kurgja farm museum. Linnutaja is, as is known, Carl Robert Jakobson’s pen name. This is where our roots are,” ensemble member Lea Toom said.

The other eagerly awaited event was the start-up of the threshing machine. First, the Fordson tractor had to be brought back to life, which was accomplished without major difficulty.

“Sometimes it has taken half a day to get the mixtures and oils right so that it starts,” said threshing machine operator Alar Kuulme.

Although heavy rain and storm warnings kept many people at home, the farm day still attracted a substantial number of visitors.

Juhan Tamme from Pärnu County said he wanted to show his children how grain was harvested and how people lived in the past. Arvo Kase, who came from Viljandi County, wanted to show his grandchild what real threshing looked like.

Farm museum manager Inge Sipelga said that although work is no longer done as it was in the past, the history of ancestors must be remembered.

“Times have changed and technology has become more modern. But in the past, this work was done by hand. We want younger people to see how farm work was carried out, and our aim is to preserve this heritage,” Sipelga said.