Can trams fly? How early do tram drivers get up? What is a tram renaissance? What was forbidden to do on horse-drawn trams? These and other questions are addressed in the exhibition “Flying Tram” which will open at The Peoples’s Museum of Tallinn in March.

The exhibition is inspired by more-than-a-century-long history of Tallinn trams, which is an important part of the city’s life, as well as by recent events such as the opening of a new section of the tram network and the arrival of the new Pesa Twist trams. However, in addition to the history of trams, the exhibition explores the feelings that this mode of transport evokes or a tram atmosphere.

A tram atmosphere combines the history, technology and aesthetics of trams with our associations and emotions, memories and everyday experiences. An artistic language is often a way to describe otherwise elusive atmospheres. Therefore, the exhibition features a number of works of art dedicated to trams. In addition, it includes archival photographs and video reels of Tallinn trams, museum objects, tram plans and dreams, as well as stories by tram drivers.

The exhibition is designed in a cheerful graphic style, inviting viewers to step inside a coloring book and follow a flying tram. They can also draw in this book and share their tram stories. The exhibition will include curatorial tours and lectures about trams in art. Tram excursions organised by the museum will also continue.

The exhibition is based on the doctoral dissertation by Aleksandra Ianchenko, a curator, artist and junior researcher at Tallinn University. Her dissertation “Estranging Trams: Atmospheres of Trams in Art” (under the supervision of Professor Tauri Tuvikene and Professor Jason Finch) is available online.

The exhibition curator and artist is Aleksandra Ianchenko.

The exhibition is open from March 6, 2025, until January 2026.