Narva-Jõesuu opens cultural quarter on site of former fishing collective
The town of Narva-Jõesuu in Estonia has opened a new cultural quarter called Suur-Lootsi, built on the grounds of the former "Oktjabr" fishing collective near the lighthouse and sea pier. The roughly two-million-euro project received support from the Just Transition Fund.
Narva-Jõesuu, an Estonian seaside resort town, has officially opened a new public space quarter named Suur-Lootsi, built on the former grounds of the "Oktjabr" fishing collective near the town's lighthouse and sea pier. The news was reported by ETV+'s "Aktuaalne kaamera" program.
The first major event held at the new site was a lamprey festival held on Saturday. Construction work in the quarter has already been completed, though organizers say the task now is to fill the space with cultural and community events — several summer events are planned there next year.
Preserving industrial heritage
The project cost approximately two million euros and received support from the Just Transition Fund. Elements of industrial heritage were preserved on site, including a winch that was previously used to lift boats for repairs.
Future plans
Mayor Maksim Iljin said the town also plans to relocate the town museum next to the lighthouse. The museum is currently located on Nurme Street in a building the mayor described as being in poor condition. The town is also considering further development of the neighboring area, with the mayor noting that cafes, restaurants and other public facilities could appear there in the future. Within the quarter itself, a spa hotel and residential buildings have not been ruled out.
According to ERR's regional correspondent Sergei Stepanov, the current priority is attracting visitors and event organizers — the lighthouse, sea pier and new public space are together meant to make this part of the resort more appealing, and the lamprey festival has already given the quarter its first major reason to draw guests.
