Türi – Estonia’s Town of Spring turns 100

Our Estonian partner town of Türi recently celebrated the centenary of its town’s charter. Our former President, Annigje Kruytbosch was invited to attend the celebrations and sent us this report.

What is it about Douzelage towns and borders? So many of them seem to be perched on the edge of something—another country, the sea, a river. Only a select few, no more than a handful, lie comfortably inland. Türi is one of them: right in the very heart of Estonia.

From Tallinn in the northwest, it is about a ninety-minute drive. Tartu, Estonia’s second city and home to its renowned centuries-old university, lies roughly the same distance to the southeast. If ever there were a place that deserved to be called central, it is Türi.

The Soviets reached much the same conclusion in 1941. As the Red Army retreated before the advancing Nazi forces, Türi became a strategic target. The bombing was anything but indiscriminate. The town possessed a state-of-the-art radio mast and, thanks to its central location, an excellent railway network with important transport links. To the Soviet command, the conclusion was obvious: this infrastructure could not be allowed to fall into German hands.

In the summer of 1941, much of Türi’s historic centre was obliterated in a single assault.

It was never rebuilt.

100th Anniversary celebrations underway in Türi

Estonia is larger than the Netherlands in terms of land area, yet it is home to only 1.3 million people. The Estonians genuinely struggle to understand how more than eighteen million Dutch people manage to squeeze themselves into such a tiny country. Surely, they joke, someone must have misplaced a decimal point.

They also like to say they value their personal space. We Dutch surrendered ours physically long ago. Mentally, perhaps, there is still hope.

In truth, I noticed little evidence of this celebrated need for distance. The attractive detached houses certainly enjoy generous gardens, but otherwise life felt remarkably open and welcoming. Here and there, standing almost awkwardly among streets of brightly painted homes, are the inevitable Soviet apartment blocks—stark reminders of another age, like faded caricatures of a past that refuses to disappear entirely.

To my mind, Estonia has cast off its Soviet armour with remarkable resilience. It feels unmistakably Western today. The prices certainly do. Shops and restaurants are every bit as expensive as those at home. I did not dare ask about salaries.

Former Douzelage President Annigje Kruytbosch joins in the celebrations.

So why was I there?

Türi was celebrating the centenary of its town charter—one hundred years of official town status. The settlement itself, however, is far older. It dates back to around 1300, when it was known by its German name, Turgel. Its magnificent medieval hall church, which still dominates the town, dates from the thirteenth century.

The invitation read: “Mrs Former President of Douzelage is kindly invited.”

How could I possibly refuse? Besides, it would be my first visit to Estonia.

At Tallinn Airport I was welcomed by Aet, whom I had met at several previous Douzelage meetings. She had generously offered me a room in her home, and I was looking forward to experiencing Estonian life from the inside.

The festivities stretched over three days: open-air concerts, Finnish and Estonian choirs performing in the medieval church, a community picnic, and Open House Days. More about those in a moment.

Aet Sarv, her husband Argu, Martijn Hosman – who moved from Meerssen to Türi, the mayor Sulo Särkinen and Annigje Kruytbosch

We began with a welcome lunch together with representatives from one of Türi’s Swedish twin towns—not Oxelösund this time, but Åmål.

“Fucking Åmål,” one of the Swedes announced cheerfully.

Not, as it happens, her own opinion of her hometown, but the title of a well-known Swedish film. Even so, it is quite a label to carry.

Before lunch I met Merle, who works in the town’s marketing department. She greeted me with an enthusiastic hug. I searched my memory in vain. Surely we had met before? Diplomatically, I asked which Douzelage meeting she had last attended. “None,” she smiled. “This is my very first one.” So much for all that talk about Estonian personal space. In fact, the warmth and informality of everyone I met became one of the defining memories of the trip. During lunch, Mayor Sulo Särkinen joined us. He proved just as approachable as everyone else—friendly, relaxed and full of fascinating stories about his town.

The 1960s Soviet room recreation.

It did not take long to realise that sustainability is woven into everyday life in Türi.

During the Open House Days, workshops across the town opened their doors to visitors. I watched rugs being woven from leftover fabric, producing ever-smaller remnants that in turn became smaller rugs, then perhaps a child’s blanket, and eventually even hair ties. Nothing seemed destined for the rubbish bin.

Wallpaper salvaged from old houses became the backdrop for greeting cards and miniature works of art. Old windows, doors and floorboards were lovingly restored and given new lives elsewhere in town. Recycling here is not simply practical; it is creative.

Perhaps the finest example is Konna Maja—the Frog House. Once neglected and almost beyond saving, it has been transformed through the efforts of dedicated volunteers into a vibrant community centre. The building radiates warmth and character, due in no small part to the reclaimed materials used throughout its restoration. Today it hosts intimate concerts, lectures, community gatherings and a delightful restaurant where no two plates match, yet every meal is memorable.

In the attic, a small museum recreates a Soviet living room from the 1960s. It serves as a reminder of a period the Estonians would rather never relive. Curiously, it stirred quite different emotions in me. I recognised many of the objects from my own childhood, and found myself unexpectedly wrapped in nostalgia.

Speaking on behalf of Douzelage in Türi

Throughout my stay I was treated with extraordinary generosity. I discovered beautiful places, met wonderful people and came away deeply impressed by the imagination, commitment and sheer goodwill that had gone into celebrating Türi’s hundredth anniversary. The town may have lost its historic centre during the war, but it has more than compensated by nurturing something equally valuable: a vibrant community spirit.

And that famous Estonian personal space? I never quite managed to find it. Then again, Türi is not just another town. It is part of Douzelage—and Douzelagers have never been particularly fond of borders.

Annigje Kruytbosch

P.S. I spent only four days in Türi, so let me apologise in advance for any factual inaccuracies that may have crept into this account. Any mistakes are entirely the result of my enthusiastic ignorance—and certainly not a lack of admiration.

Aet, Merle and Annigje

Images courtesy Annigje Kruytbosch and courtesy Merle Ryytel, Türi vald