Museum workers rehearse evacuation of Estonia’s most valuable objects

Estonian museums and the Heritage Board are rehearsing the evacuation of the country’s most valuable museum objects in Tallinn as part of the Ars Longa crisis exercise, ERR reported.

The exercise, held from September 7 to 10, is based on a scenario in which Estonia must respond to non-military attacks by a hostile state. Together with the Ministry of Culture and other partners, participants are testing their ability to act and manage operations in such circumstances.

The first three days involved preparations for evacuation at the Estonian National Museum’s Kumu and Niguliste branches. On the fourth day, participants rehearsed the actual evacuation of objects.

The museum objects themselves were not moved. Instead, the exercise used models and sandbags packed into crates to match the objects’ actual weight and size.

“The employees of the Estonian National Museum know how to handle the country’s most valuable museum objects. For us, the exciting challenge is to practise all of this under stressful conditions and in a realistic way,” said Kersti Kuldna-Türkson, the museum’s chief conservator.

“Changing circumstances and the need to prepare for crises are a reality. Cultural property is not protected from tragic events, but the damage caused by its destruction can be irreparable. That is why preventive action is crucial. This exercise is a first-time experience for all the parties involved,” said Kadri Tael, the Heritage Board’s head of crisis preparedness and chief organiser of the exercise.

Ars Longa is part of the large-scale national defence exercise ILVES 2026, which involves more than 150 public, private and third-sector organisations practising crisis management and cooperation. The exercise is organised by the State Chancellery in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and other partner institutions.