Forum Summary
In April 2006, the Gymnasium of Collegium Educationis Revaliae
organized a Youth Forum “Tallinn Old Town as a UNESCO World Heritage
Site and its’ Possibilities for Sustainable Development as a Tourist
Destination” with other high-school pupils in Europe to discuss common
issues facing old towns. The students worked together in workshop
groups on various themes particularly affecting the old medieval town
of Tallinn, Estonia. Students began the forum with a presentation
highlighting conflicts between Tallinn as a UNESCO World Heritage site
and mass tourism: the image of Tallinn as a party town or cultural
centre, appropriate souvenirs for tourist consumption, traffic problems
on narrow medieval streets, renovation of old buildings vs. the
building of modern new ones, insufficient garbage containers on the
streets, and effective security for growing numbers of tourists.
During the subsequent discussion with representatives from the City
Government, tourism specialists, UNESCO National Commitee, old town
civic organizations, traffic office and old town residents, heated
discussions emphasized the central importance of the old town as
primarily a cultural center which is alive rather than a museum
exponent for mass consumption. While tourism is a vital part of the old
town, Tallinn should not turn into Disneyland, but maintain its’ unique
combination of medieval and modern. Representatives admired the
students’ enthusiasm and activism. Students from Visby, Helsinki, Kiev
and Kronstadt commented on the similar problem of how to maintain an
old atmosphere within the fast pace of modern life. Memorably, Tiina
Mägi, the old town activist in Tallinn argued that both tourists and
residents alike respect the originality and handicraft of the medieval
city. Especially in a world of mass production, a souvenir offers the
memory of a unique atmosphere. People will continue to be attracted to
the old town for its’ medieval beauty and culture. Likewise, students
will continue to study at Collegium Educationis Revaliae for the
experience of being in a medieval world where the old walls keep their
legends and ghosts alive.