The Narva City Pharmacy is being brought back to life in an exhibition and invites people to share their memories. At the end of May, the Integration Foundation will open an exhibition entitled Narva City Pharmacy – Community Memory and a Shared Story at the Estonian Language House in Narva, which will introduce visitors to the history of one of the city’s most significant landmarks. People are invited to share their own personal memories.
Established in 1944, the Narva City Pharmacy was, for a long time, the only pharmacy in the post-war city and therefore played a significant role in the lives of local residents. It was a place where people could get help, medication, and hope, and that way, it was part of the community’s daily life. It was right here that many children born in Narva received their first medicines. In addition, the pharmacy looked after people’s health at a time when the city was still recovering and growing. Over time, the pharmacy became a place with which almost every resident of Narva has a personal connection.
We are looking forward to receiving all photos and stories related to the Narva City Pharmacy, regardless of their length or size, by 24 April:
integratsioon.ee/form/narva-apteegi-malestuse-projekt
You can share your memories of everything from the range of products sold at the pharmacy to the people you might have met there and the topics of conversation.
The pharmacy closed on 30 May 2022, but during its long history, it employed several dozen people, and its impact on the city cannot be overstated. The exhibition is based on historical photographs, but memories and texts play an equally important role. The exhibition weaves together the life story of the pharmacy’s first manager, the recollections of subsequent managers, and the stories of the people who helped shape this place. What began as one person’s initiative grew into a place that became a shared experience for many people – a part of the story of Narva. This is not just a photo exhibition – it is the story of a community.
In addition to its historical dimension, the exhibition also has a clear language learning purpose. As the exhibition is on display at the Estonian Language House in Narva, it has been designed to support the learning of Estonian in a natural environment. The exhibition uses the so-called ‘talking walls’ method, in which the texts are not merely informative, but also help to develop reading skills and vocabulary.
Each photo is accompanied by text and short exercises – this allows visitors to learn about the history of Narva and practise their Estonian at the same time. Our approach is based on the principles of language immersion – the language is acquired in a natural environment, through small but regular learning moments. It is precisely these brief but meaningful encounters with the language that help to develop language skills gradually.
In addition, the exhibition is also of value to teachers and learners. It can be used during lessons, but also during breaks or for independent exploration.
In Narva, where an Estonian-speaking environment does not come about on its own, our key objective is to consciously create and provide such an environment for our learners. That is exactly what we are doing with this project – creating a space where the Estonian language can be seen, read, and experienced outside the classroom as well.
For the Integration Foundation, it is important to consciously create an Estonian-speaking environment in Narva, even outside the classroom. The exhibition offers this opportunity to both learners and teachers – it can be used in the classroom or for independent exploration.
The exhibition is not merely a retrospective display, but a community project with a life of its own. You can share your memories via the online form above until 24 April to help build our shared story and preserve it for future generations.
