The attic of the Estonian Children’s Literature Centre features an exhibition of Olympic mascots from the personal collection of collector Liis Paabo. The exhibition is open from February 3 to May 3, 2025.
Mascots are important symbols in the sports world, carrying a spirit of good luck and introducing the host cities and local traditions of the Olympic Games. The mascots displayed in the centre’s attic come from Liis Paabo’s impressive collection, which includes more than 700 mascots and various Olympic-related items—mugs, glasses, pens, and even some Olympic shirts.
Liis Paabo began collecting Olympic memorabilia in 1988 when she won first place in a sports betting competition and received Hidy, the mascot of the Calgary Winter Olympics, as a prize. From that moment, her passionate journey into the world of mascots began. The oldest mascot in her collection is Schuss from the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, which was the first (though unofficial) Olympic mascot.
“All mascots are equally dear to me, but my absolute favorites are the adorable Calgary bears—Hidy and Howdy,” said the collector. “My collection includes the most items related to the Moscow Olympics, including the mascots Miša and Vigri from the Moscow and Tallinn Olympic events, as these were the easiest to find as an Estonian,” she added.
More information about the mascots can be found on Liis Paabo’s Facebook page, “Olympic Games Private Collection – Liis From Estonia.”
At the same time as the Olympic mascots exhibition, the centre’s second-floor hall hosts an illustration exhibition by Estonian book artists that is dedicated to the movement and titled “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body”.
The exhibitions can be visited during the centre’s opening hours:
Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat 11:00–16:00 (except during scheduled events).
For more information:
Viive Noor
Estonian Children’s Literature Centre
Art Expert
+372 55579930
The photo features Sam the Olympic Eagle, the mascot of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
