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Contact PHOTO EXHIBITION · TALLINN SPEAKING! A CENTURY ON AIR
A Century of Estonian Radio Listeners
The exhibition “A Century of Estonian Radio Listeners” portrays our compatriots together with the pride of their home interiors, the radio. The oldest photographs in the exhibition date from the 1920s, when radio was a great innovation and the radio programme a true window on the world.
Watch the video
Curator Kertu Saks explains the background of the display and introduces the stories that await visitors.
01 — OVERVIEW
The exhibition in brief
Beautifully designed receivers in the style of their time were an ornament of the home and a symbol of status. The radio was an expensive luxury that few could afford.
In the 1920s and 1930s a radio receiver was not an anonymous “object” but a member of the family, whose make and name the whole household knew. Before a photograph was taken at home, the radio was often moved to a central place in the room so that it would certainly appear in the picture. Mood and everyday scenes were frequently photographed beside it as well.
02 — THE RADIO AS A FAMILY MEMBER
A family portrait with the radio
The exhibition shows how the radio was not merely a piece of technology but part of family life and identity. In the photographs people pose proudly beside the receiver, exactly as we record ourselves today alongside our most treasured possessions.
The exhibition also invites you to think about where and how do you listen to the radio today?
Watch the video
A short overview of the exhibition.
03 — EXHIBITION SERIES
Part of the series “Tallinn speaking! A Century on Air”
A Century of Estonian Radio Listeners is part of the exhibition series “Tallinn speaking! A Century on Air”, created at Tallinn TV Tower for the 100th anniversary of Estonian broadcasting. Several more exhibitions and education programmes will open within the series this year. In 2026 the TV Tower operates under the banner of Estonian Broadcasting 100.
The exhibition has been created in cooperation with the Estonian Broadcasting Museum and Juhan Sihver. The exhibition is curated by Kertu Saks.
Location: TV Tower cafe-restaurant on the 22nd floor
MINI MAGAZINE
A Century of Estonian Radio Listeners
GALLERY
Exhibition gallery
Photos: GoodNews, Risto Štukert
IN THE MEDIA
Coverage
AKTUAALNE KAAMERA
Tallinna teletorni uus näitus viib Eesti raadioajaloo algusaegadesse
kanal 2 “telehommik”
Buduaar
FOTOD! Ringhäälingu 100. juubeliaasta tähistamine! Kertu Saks: „See on meie lugu, meie inimesed ja meie meediaajalugu“
Buduaar
Fotonäitus: Tallinna Teletorni näitus „Sajand Eesti raadiokuulajaid“ viib külastajad möödunud sajandi kodudesse
