Washing Machine Made of Beetroot: Ingenuity on the Road

The “Ingenuity on the Road” exhibition introduces the audience to various self-made solutions that aided Soviet citizens in travelling from point A to point B. It explores the methods people used to get around and how essential machines were invented and constructed, both in garages and sheds, but also within government institutions.

With few private cars and poor public transportation options, people sought ways to commute to work, visit family and friends, embark on longer journeys, vacations and spend their leisure time away from home. Naturally, they wanted to do so with comfort and style. Since they lacked machinery for everyday tasks, people modified, invented, constructed and assembled machines and their components themselves.

The DIY technical culture and garage innovations thrived, with the operational principles of the internal combustion engine being a universally understood language. This exhibition explores inventions, innovation, creativity, recycling and the DIY culture within the motor world of the Soviet Union. It also delves into the yearning for a modern and comfortable life.

The “Ingenuity on the Street and Road” exhibition is a part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 main programme.

If you want to grab a bite or need a place to stay, see what the Tartu 2024 hospitality network offers in the area: https://tartu2024.ee/recommendations-kanepi