Swedish Kingdom Day to be Held at Narva Castle on July 25

The Narva Museum is organizing the annual Swedish Kingdom Day, which will take place on Saturday, July 25. The event is dedicated to the city's historical ties with Sweden and offers a variety of activities for visitors.

The Swedish period left a deep mark on Narva's development and is considered the city's "golden age." In 1585, Narva received Swedish city rights and became an important administrative and trade center. At the same time, the reconstruction of Narva Castle began, turning it into the residence of the Swedish governor, with new representative and defensive structures built nearby.

The program includes a family celebration in the Northern Courtyard from 12:00 to 17:00, where visitors can participate in historical dance and ancient game workshops, as well as try various craft workshops. Attendees can mint their own coin, work with stone and textiles, while children can make drawings and temporary tattoos inspired by historical themes.

Special attention is given to the exhibition "The Great Escape of 1944," which tells the story of Estonians forced to leave their homeland during World War II and start a new life in Sweden. The exhibition is created in cooperation with the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory, the Association of Estonians in Sweden, and other organizations, based on a database of Estonian military refugees.

During the day, curator tours of the exhibition will be held in Estonian and English, led by Sirle Sööt, chair of the Association of Estonians in Sweden and the World Council of Estonians. The tours are free with a museum ticket.

The day will conclude with city tours "Swedish Narva," introducing traces of the Swedish period in the modern city. Participants will learn about the city's development, key events, and inhabitants, walking along old streets and viewing preserved buildings.

The family celebration offers free entry to the Northern Courtyard, but the curator and city tours, which require advance registration, require purchased tickets.