Legends and Tales of Old Tallinn

Juri Kuuskemaa (born 1942) graduated in Art History from the University of Tartu . While still a student he was assigned to undergo museum practical training at the Kadriorg Palace, where he later on worked for many years as the curator oftheArtMuseum of Estonia. From 1974hestudied the history of Kadriorg (Catherinethal- ´Catherine´s valley´) in the archives of Tallinn, Tartu, Moscow and Saint Petersburg. He compiled historical backgrounds of the palace and its wings, of the palace kitchen and the ice house, of the gardener´s house, as well as of the flower garden and the so called Lower garden. All of these materials were used during the drafting of restoration projects. Kuuskemaa published the book Peter I and Catherine I in Tallinn {2009) . Together with research activities, Juiri Kuuskemaa also promotes history and Estonian cultural monuments on radio, television and in print. For his services he was awarded the Order of the White Star, IV Class (Estonia), as well as Orders of Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal. Knight of the French Legion of Honour (Chevalier de la Legion d´honneur). Honorary Citizen of Tallinn (Order of Merit, Badge of Honour, Medal of the Magistrate). Currently he is Counsellor for Cultural Affairs to the mayor of Tallinn.