Young People in Narva Want to Turn Abandoned Joala Manor Grain Dryer into a Cultural Centre
The youth initiative Noor Projekt plans to convert the abandoned grain dryer of the former Joala manor in Narva into a centre for socially engaged arts. The building has no roof and needs major repairs.
In Narva, in eastern Estonia, the youth initiative Noor Projekt wants to turn the abandoned grain dryer of the former Joala manor into a centre for socially significant arts. The city handed the building to the activists last year, but it still has no roof and requires serious renovation. The plans were reported on Saturday, 7 November, by the ETV+ programme "Narva Studio. Important to the People".
Project initiator Reinhold Oster and like-minded people searched for a suitable site in Narva and Narva-Jõesuu. They eventually chose the former grain dryer, the only surviving structure of the Joala manor's historic complex.
What the centre is meant to be
The organisers intend the centre to be a place for meetings, discussions and creative initiatives. The project is also meant to preserve the history of the site, which is linked to the Kreenholm Manufacturing Company.
Work began with cleaning the building. Among the accumulated rubbish, participants found old pharmacy vials, flasks and cutlery. These items became part of the art project "Anti-archive", which tells the story of the building through the objects found.
What is still needed
For further restoration, the walls must be reinforced, collapsed structures rebuilt and a roof constructed. This requires substantial funds. The participants submit funding applications and sometimes invest their own savings. They have also received a grant from the European Solidarity Corps for developing the project.
This week the young people presented their plans at a meeting with Narva mayor Jaan Toots. The next day the mayor visited the building in person. According to Oster, no specific amount of aid has been promised, but they agreed on cooperation and support with applications for other projects that require confirmation from the local government.
Maksim Anokhin, chair of the youth committee of the Narva City Council, noted that the city has various measures to support youth initiatives. He urged young people to be more active in proposing ideas and to approach city institutions.
It is not yet known when the former grain dryer will be able to receive its first visitors. First, funds must be found and the main restoration work completed.
