Exhibition commemorating Olaf Sööt's 95th birthday to unfold at Tallinn Botanic Garden
Eminent Mountaineer and Photographer Olaf Sööt Celebrates 95th Birthday with a New Exhibition
On June 2, renowned mountaineer and nature photographer Olaf Sööt marks his 95th birthday by unveiling a new exhibition, "On Mountain Trails from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego," at the Palm House of Tallinn Botanic Garden. The public is invited to immerse themselves in a portion of his adventurous travels.
Over the past few decades, the precision of an engineer, the passionate spirit of a traveler, and the keen eye of a photographer have guided Sööt through various mountain ranges and vast territories, from Alaska to Patagonia, the Arctic to Antarctica.
The exhibition captures the vast landscapes and tranquil moments, the breathtaking beauty of nature and the human spirit, all in a series of evocative photographs. Light and shadow, towering peaks, deep valleys, the silence of mountains, and the drama of stormy skies are found in this exhibition's remarkable images. These photographs tell tales of discovery, courage, and friendship, chronicling Sööt's 40-year expedition across continents and oceans.
Joining Sööt on his expeditions were his wife Gitta, friends Jüri Tint, and Rein Grabbi. Together, they have ventured to remote locations where few people tread, where the wind sings, and the mountains whisper ancient songs. Each photograph in this exhibition bears the weight of memory, gratitude, patience, and the joy of discovery.
The opening of the exhibition will feature a screening of Sööt's moving multimedia presentation "McKinley and Furthest Alaska" - a panoramic film that showcases the splendor, solitude, and ethereal light of the mountains.
The exhibition opening is set for June 2, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Tallinn Botanic Garden's Palm House (Kloostrimetsa tee 52). The exhibit will run until July 31, with the Palm House open every day from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Founded in 1961, the Tallinn Botanic Garden serves as a research, educational, and cultural institution dedicated to the protection and introduction of plant species. Situated on a 40-hectare plot next to the Pirita River Valley, the garden exhibits around 8,500 plant species in open-air and greenhouse settings, with a mission to preserve, develop, and introduce rich plant collections and herbaria, as well as conduct research and nature education work aimed at preserving and increasing biodiversity.
During the exhibition's run from June 2, 2025, to July 31, visitors can delve into Olaf Soöt's lifestyle and education as a mountaineer and photographer, gaining insights into the environment he encountered on his travels. The exhibition, titled "On Mountain Trails from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego," housed within the Palm House of Tallinn Botanic Garden, showcases evocative photographs of his adventures, presenting a fusion of environmental, travel, and personal experiences.
