The singer and actor Georg Ots (1920–1975) touched millions of people living in no less than a sixth of the planet with his talent and charm. In Estonia he was held in high esteem, in Russia and Finland he was adored. The political situation at the time, primarily the constraints of the Iron Curtain, and Ots’ humble character held him back from conquering the rest of the world. Those who have witnessed his talent – whether via radio or television, opera and operetta or film – unanimously agree that Ots was already a legend during his own lifetime.

Now, a century after Ots was born is the perfect time to ask what remains of the legend after his death? What place did Ots hold and does he continue to hold in people’s hearts? The exhibition looks at the significance of Georg Ots through the eyes of his contemporaries and invites us to contemplate his contribution and place in our culture.