ANATOMIA JANNSENIANA. The Ailments of the Jannsen Family
At the Koidula Museum Garden Gallery
From July 5, 2026
The inspiration and primary source for this exhibition is the family's correspondence. Formatted as eight medical case histories, the display provides an overview of each family member's health and the conditions that afflicted them.
The field of medicine likely received more than average attention in the Jannsen family. This was because Lydia's husband Eduard Michelson, Eugenie's husband Heinrich Rosenthal, and the youngest brother Eugen Jannsen had all studied medicine at the Imperial University of Tartu. The family's medical history spanned generations: Emilie's mother Mrs. Koch, as well as Lydia, Eugenie, and the youngest brother Eugen, all suffered from and tragically succumbed to cancer. Epilepsy, present in the Koch family, affected Leopold and Julius. During their days in Pärnu, the family's daily life was overshadowed by the frailty and resulting mood swings of the mother, Emilie. Papa Jannsen was struck by a stroke while still in the prime of his life.
"Sometimes it felt as if various diseases and miseries had set up camp among us. Worries of life and heart constantly ruled the house," Lydia Koidula noted, perhaps with a touch of tragedy. Although the 19th century laid the foundation for medical science in the modern sense, the Jannsen family's story proves that nothing can replace compassion, human connection, and family support.
Curator: Kristiina Vunk
Designer: Indrek Aija
Pärnu Muuseum 2026
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.