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On 19 June, a temporary exhibition titled “Refreshing Repertoire” opened in the gift shop foyer of the A. Le Coq Beer Museum. It is a tribute to the heritage of the Song and Dance Festival, told from the perspective of Estonia’s largest and oldest beverage producer. The exhibition’s story is built from employees’ memories, emotions, and love for these national celebrations.
A. Le Coq has been a long-time supporter of the Song and Dance Festivals and a bearer of community spirit. “The A. Le Coq factory is located in Tartu on Laulupeo Avenue, right next to the Song Festival Grounds. The tradition of our song festivals began here in Tartu, with the first nationwide Song Festival in 1869. Over time, we have walked alongside the Song and Dance Festivals — taking part, cheering, and supporting them,” said Triinu Siilbek, Head of the A. Le Coq Beer Museum.
Siilbek explained the exhibition’s origin: “The idea came from a wish to bring valuable items and stories out from our archives and share them with the public — items collected from our employees and other museums in the city. With this exhibition, we want to pay a great tribute to the Song and Dance Festival tradition, which is an important part of our cultural history and beverage heritage.”
The temporary exhibition “Refreshing Repertoire” focuses on personal stories and memories that reflect A. Le Coq’s involvement in the Song and Dance Festivals. “It’s like a story of stories — of a major beverage producer and its people at the Song and Dance Festivals,” said Siilbek.
The exhibition showcases unique festival-related items. The most notable is a beer keg made as a gift to Gustav Ernesaks — the soul of the Song Festival — for his 50th birthday. Years later, this keg appeared for sale in a Tartu second-hand shop. Ilmar Kõrgesaar, the Beer Museum’s first director, bought it and brought it to the museum, where it is now on display for all to see.
The exhibition is open in the A. Le Coq Beer Museum’s gift shop from 19 June to 20 September 2025, Tuesday–Friday 11:00–18:00 and Saturday 11:00–17:00. Admission is free.
More information: A. Le Coq Beer Museum – Temporary Exhibitions
