HEDVIG AND ANNA. Koidula’s Daughters
15.04.2026–30.04.2027
“But my children, my only, dear girls, may they never learn to sacrifice their conscience to nationality! May God protect them from that!” — letter dictated by Lydia, 28 April 1886
Did Koidula have descendants?
How did their lives unfold?
Did they live in Estonia?
Did they, in turn, have descendants of their own?
Yes, Lydia Koidula had descendants. Her marriage to Eduard Michelson produced four children, but tragedy, illness and death allowed only two daughters to reach adulthood.
The exhibition tells the story of the spouses Lydia and Eduard, of their sons Hans and Max, who died young, but above all of their daughters Hedvig and Anna.
Curator: Svea Volmer-Galland
Compiled by: Elmar Trink
Designer: Haide Rannakivi
We thank Rivo Kaljuvee, the Estonian Literary Museum and the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.