Käsmu—Maritime Realm Through Generations
Käsmu Captain Village celebrates its 500th birthday this summer. We are waiting for everyone to be part of the grand jubilee celebration 6-9. July.
In 2003, we celebrated the 550th anniversary of the first mention of Käsmu (strand tho Kesemo). It is not known whether Käsmu village existed at that time. However, the existence of the village community from 1524 in the Tallinn City Archives confirms why we give us a reason to celebrate the anniversary.
Thanks to its rich history and the legendary maritime heritage, Käsmu is known as the village of Captains.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Käsmu was one of the most important maritime centers in North Estonia. In many Käsmu families, the life of the sea was a tradition and a sailor’s profession was honored. Even today, maritime is an important part of the identity of the Captain Village Community.
Although Käsmu’s roots are deep in maritime traditions, it is a modern village where the younger generation can evaluate the special place of the village in Estonian maritime history.
Celebrating Käsmu’s 500th birthday gives you the opportunity to invite those who have roots in Käsmu and those with the heart in Käsmu.
It is also a time to remember and respect the long-term contribution of the community to the Estonian maritime history and to bow not only to Käsmu as the “maritime state”, but to Estonia as a maritime kingdom.
In the anniversary celebration, the past and present of the village with our rich history are intertwined and the communication between the valued generations.
SATURDAY 06 JULY
Day of Captains
08-11 a.m.
Therapeutic forest walks with breakfast on the beach
Participants will gain practical knowledge and skills to get the most out of the forest experience for their physical and mental wellbeing. We will do various breathing and meditation exercises. Your guide will be Mari-Liis Vohli.
The gathering site is on the children’s playground at Käsmu Chapel.
Participation fee is EUR 30.
As the number of seats is limited (10 people) and breakfast is on pre -order, please register vohlim@gmail.com by July 2.
I will send the information needed to make the transfer to the registrants. The trip is not suitable for passing with children or pets, as we are completely focused only on ourselves. For more information vohlim@gmail.com
10-11 a.m.
Tour of Käsmu Maritime Museum
Käsmu Maritime Museum was founded in 1993 as a private museum.
The Museum’s focus lies on the history of the captains’ village—Käsmu Maritime School, shipbuilding, genealogical records of captains, and historical photographs of the glory days of seafaring in Käsmu.
The exhibits reflect the local focus on the sea—seafaring, fishing, and the daily life of the coastal community in general.
12-1 p.m.
Tour of Käsmu Maritime Museum
12 p.m.
Opening of the exhibition of the art by Kristel Luiga “Magical Käsmu”. Yard of Pällu Farm
1-2.30 p.m.
Opening ceremony. Starting from the beginning of the village.
On the occasion of Käsmu’s 500th birthday, we will open the summer installation “Steering wheel of one summer” at the beginning of Käsmu village.
After the opening, together with Lahemaa’s folk musicians and their accordions, we move to the Käsmu People’s Hall. There we will raise the flag.
Marten King, Raidon Aso and Helena Lotman present us the unofficial anthem of Käsmu, Enn Vetemaa and Ülo Vinter’s song “Majakene mere ääres” (“When the sea is seal gray”), which we can all sing.
Come and jubilate together!
3-4 p.m.
Käsmu Maritime Realm. Community Centre.
Over the 19th and 20th centuries, Käsmu evolved into the leader of seafaring in Northern Estonia. The story of this transformation and the consequent achievements will be told by the Head of the Estonian Maritime Museum Urmas Dresen who is also one of the authors of the book “Käsmu Maritime Realm”, published in 2021.
4-5 p.m.
Creative Käsmu. Garden of the Writers’ House.
For centuries, Käsmu has been a favourite holiday spot for innumerable writers and artists. Creative Käsmu brings together Estonian writers and artists who have holidayed here and found inspiration for their work.
Moderated by Tiit Pruuli.
4-5.30 p.m.
Walks around the village, accompanied by stories of its history and daily life
Local guides take you on a pleasant walk around the village.
5.30-6 p.m.
Presentation of the reprint of the children’s book “Une-Mati rannakülas”
5-6 p.m.
Tour of Käsmu Maritime Museum
6-7 p.m.
Light-hearted quiz “Käsmu: The Magic of Sea and Forest”. Community Centre.
Teams of up to 5 members are welcome to take part. Magnificent prizes await the knowledgeable.
Hosted by Neeme Kuningas.
8 p.m.
Anniversary dance party with a live band. Around the village swing.
Manija Poisid from Manilaid Island will play well-loved tunes for the enjoyment of dancers and simply onlookers.
SUNDAY 7 JULY
Day of Congregation
8-10 a.m.
Birdwatching. Starts in front of Käsmu shop.
Over the years, Mr. Peep Vaidla has brought hundreds of musicians from Estonia and wider world to Käsmu to sing and perform, but this time he introduces us to these winged musicians who sing to us every day, but sadly we cant name many of them. Peep can.
10-11 a.m.
Tour of Käsmu Maritime Museum
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Lecture on the history of Käsmu from the very beginning. Church.
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Crafting contest for children. Playground.
12-1 p.m.
Organ concert. Church.
The organ in Käsmu church is a contender for the oldest organ in continental Estonia. The oldest parts of the instrument were built by the organ master Johannes Paul originally for the St Nicholas Church in Tallinn in 1613.
The organ was restored into full working order in 2011.
1-2 p.m.
Tour of Käsmu Maritime Museum
1-2.30 p.m.
Walks around the village, accompanied by stories of its history and daily life.
2-3 p.m.
Children’s hour with Heiki Vilep. Playground.
Heiki Vilep is a writer and musician who has published many delightful children’s books. He will tell fun stories to children.
3-4 p.m.
Consecration of the third church bell in Käsmu
For years, a third church bell with a slightly softer sound has been planned for Käsmu church.
Thanks to a generous donor, the third church bell was cast especially for the Käsmu church in Germany in May of this year and bears the text “Käsmu 500+” in honor and memory of these village days, among other things. The clock also has a quote from the Bible that the angels sang on the occasion of Jesus’ birth and on the day: “Glory to God in the highest!“.
A name is also usually put on the church bell. There is a proposal to name the third bell of Käsmu Church with the Latin name “Stella Maris“, which in Estonian would be “Star of the Sea“. Under this name, the Holy Virgin Mary is also known as the patron saint of seafarers. This form of the name was first used by the holy bishop Eusebius Hieronymus, who lived in the fourth-fifth century after Christ (347-420) and whose life work is considered to be the Latin translation of the Bible.
The third bell of Käsmu Church is programmed to ring together with the two existing bells in the automatic bell ringing system. On every full hour of the day, we hear the number of bells struck for the hour, and on every half hour, the bell rings once. The church bell calls the living and commemorates the dead, heralds joy and creates festivity
The church bell is consecrated by the bishop or, on his authority, by the provost or the local priest.
4-5 p.m.
Tour of Käsmu Maritime Museum
5-6 p.m.
Concert by MUBA saxophone students of Professor Olavi Kasemaa. Church.
Professor Olavi Kasemaa is a renowned saxophone player as well as the founder and developer of the Estonian school of saxophone. His teaching methods have taken the instruction of saxophone in music schools to a new level. His students have won numerous prizes in international competitions.
7-9 p.m.
Käsmu on film. Community Centre.
Marianna Kaat is one of the shining stars of our nation as a film producer and director. She has put together a portrait of Käsmu through movies and newsreels.
MONDAY 8 JULY
Day of Children
8-11 a.m.
Therapeutic forest walks with breakfast on the beach
Participants will gain practical knowledge and skills to get the most out of the forest experience for their physical and mental wellbeing. We will do various breathing and meditation exercises. Your guide will be Mari-Liis Vohli.
The gathering site is on the children’s playground at Käsmu Chapel.
Participation fee is EUR 30.
As the number of seats is limited (10 people) and breakfast is on pre -order, please register vohlim@gmail.com by July 2.
I will send the information needed to make the transfer to the registrants. The trip is not suitable for passing with children or pets, as we are completely focused only on ourselves. For more information vohlim@gmail.com
10-11 a.m.
Tour of Käsmu Maritime Museum
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Safety at sea for children. Harbour.
Käsmu Maritime Rescue will teach children safety at sea.
1-2 p.m.
Photo exhibition “Through Polar Regions on S/Y Bellingshausen”. Shop hall.
In September 2023, S/Y Admiral Bellingshausen made history by becoming the first sailing yacht to pass through the Northwest passage under the Estonian flag. The achievement is made even more exciting by the fact that many men and women from Käsmu took part in the trip.
Expedition leader Tiit Pruuli will talk about the photos.
2 p.m.-4p.m.
Sailing for children. Harbour.
Sailing course for children under the guidance of the experienced teachers of the Käsmu Bay Sailing School.
Organised by Maris Pruuli.
2-4 p.m.
Orienteering for families. Start in front of the Community Centre.
3-4 p.m.
Tour of Käsmu Maritime Museum
4-5.30 p.m.
Walks around the village, accompanied by stories of its history and daily life
Local guides take you on a pleasant walk around the village.
5-6 p.m.
Children’s hour with Indrek Koff. Playground.
Indrek Koff has written 13 children’s books, the best known among which is “Where’d the Kids Go?”.
He has now written a play for the local children that will be published in book form next year.
7-8 p.m.
Play performed by local kids. Community Centre.
7 p.m.
Church concert
Villu Veski & Tiit Kalluste “Põhjala saarte hääled” (The Voices of the Northern Islands).
In Church
20 p.m.
Party for families. Community Centre.
What would a birthday party be without a cake? Children can expect cake and a fun evening with their parents and other villagers.
TUESDAY 9 JULY
The world's most beautiful sailboats honor Käsmu Bay and harbor with their visit
12 a.m.
Discussion in Käsmu Harbour
Discussion on the history of the TSR and the achievements of Estonian vessels in this worthy regatta.
1-5 p.m
Beautiful TSR ships await guests on board
Access to ships takes place from Käsmu harbour.
The ships are on lie out, so take that into consideration when choosing your outfit. Transport to ships is carried out by boats.
7 p.m
Simman in Käsmu Harbour
A joint party with The Tall Ships Races teams and a pleasant atmosphere is created by the bellowsmans Kert Krüsban and Rihard Ott Leitham.
They have promised to come to the bay if the weather is good.
Cizne Branco A-Class (BRA) (In the photo above)
Fryderik Chopin A-Class (POL)
Linda D-Class (EST)
Vesta C-Class (EST)
Patricia D-Class (BEL)
Dar Mlodziezy A-Class (POL)
Pogoria A-Class (POL)
Hiiuingel (EST)
TARA D-Class (DK)
Lietuva D-Class (LT)