In February, a new exhibit was added to the Estonian National Museum’s thematic exhibition “Cities Within the City”: the virtual city “Tartu.” Created on the Roblox platform, “Tartu” is an initiative developed by lower secondary school students and has been evolving for several years. The virtual environment features the city centre and its key buildings, public transport routes, and various workplaces — all reflecting young people’s own understanding of what makes a city functional and meaningful.
Agnes Aljas, curator of the exhibition “Cities Within the City,” considers co‑creation a cornerstone of contemporary museum practice. Young people are partners whose created environments help researchers study youth gaming culture, digital communication spaces, and the ways children and young people interpret urban space. According to Aljas, “Tartu” is not merely a game but also a media space where young people express their thoughts about the city and their place within it. “Children have the right — and fortunately also the opportunity in the museum — to speak about their own world,” Aljas explains, highlighting ERM’s co‑creative approach to studying contemporary culture. The virtual city clearly amplifies the voices of young creators.
The opening of the exhibit drew nearly 150 visitors of all ages. The creators of “Tartu” introduced the development of the game, its technical solutions, and their future plans. Audience interest was lively: almost 50 questions were asked. Younger visitors wanted to know when their home streets or school buildings might appear in the game. “People often asked which districts we plan to build next — for example, when Õssu village might be completed,” said one of the game creators, Aleksander Lembra. Older visitors were curious about the developers’ motivation and their interest in urban planning.
“Tartu” will remain part of ERM’s permanent exhibition “Encounters” within the thematic display “Cities Within the City,” which explores urban space and city‑related imaginaries from the perspective of children and young people.
Photos: Berta Jänes
The opening of the exhibit drew nearly 150 visitors of all ages. The creators of “Tartu” introduced the development of the game, its technical solutions, and their future plans. Audience interest was lively: almost 50 questions were asked. Younger visitors wanted to know when their home streets or school buildings might appear in the game. “People often asked which districts we plan to build next — for example, when Õssu village might be completed,” said one of the game creators, Aleksander Lembra. Older visitors were curious about the developers’ motivation and their interest in urban planning.
“Tartu” will remain part of ERM’s permanent exhibition “Encounters” within the thematic display “Cities Within the City,” which explores urban space and city‑related imaginaries from the perspective of children and young people.
Photos: Berta Jänes
