New exhibition "The human and divine world of icons"

The University of Tartu Art Museum opens a new exhibiton "The human and divine world of icons" on 29th January.

Icons, i.e., holy pictures have an important role as carriers of the Orthodox identity, keeping the holy traditions alive and acting as the mediators between God and mankind. The aim of this exhibition is to provide an introduction of icons as an Orthodox Christian tradition and inseparable part of people’s lives.

Using vibrant colours and symbols, the rich iconography of the Eastern Church has documented its Christian religious dogmas, the divine world that people believe in and its morals. According to the Orthodox Christian tradition, an icon is a bridge between Earth and Heaven. Via this bridge people’s prayers can reach God, mediated by the saints or other guardians on the icons. Any changes or miracles that happen after this invocation for help are interpreted as divine care. Icons are tremendously important for Orthodox Christians in view of their domestic religious lives, and accompany them from birth to death.

The exhibited icon collection of the University of Tartu Art Museum mostly contains icons that were used in people’s homes in the Russian Empire from 18^th to 20^th century.

The curator of this exhibition is Külli Valk.

The exhibition will remain open until 30th October.

The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.