RT Estonia 3 Tartu

Local Name: RT 3 Tartu
Association: Round Table Estonia
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Table Number: 3
Current Status: Active
Charter Date: 10 November 1990
God Parent Club: RT Sweden 51 Uppsala
Locations: Frequent meeting spot is Ülikooli Café

 

Tartu, Estonia’s second-largest city by population, has a rich and dignified history. As a fun introduction: in the early 13th-century Chronicle of Henry of Livonia, Tartu is mentioned under names like Tarbata and the German version Dorpat. Historical records suggest that the city name may have originated from the Curonian Livonian word tarabos or taraab, meaning hazel tree. Other theories connect the name to the Norse god of thunder, Thor. For a time, it was believed that the name came from the supposed chief deity of ancient Estonians, Taara—a claim now heavily questioned. In the 1840s–1850s, early creators of Estonian pseudomythology, F. R. Faehlmann and F. R. Kreutzwald, claimed that the Tharapita mentioned in Henry’s Chronicle was a reflection of Taara. However, the line between invented mythology and authentic folk heritage is blurry, and there is no concrete evidence that ancient Estonians ever worshipped a god named Taara.

Nevertheless, during the Russification period, when the city was officially renamed Jurjev, Estonians began to refer to Tartu as Taaralinn (City of Taara) to avoid using the Russian name. Linguists and historians today, however, find the most convincing theory to be that of linguist Paul Alvre (1921–2008), who proposed that Tartu derives from the word tarvas—the aurochs, or wild ox. Such animal-based toponyms were common in the Finno-Ugric language area.

For the romantics and dreamers, the nickname Athens on the Emajõgi persists—linking the Emajõgi River with the source of wisdom, and Athens with the birthplace of classical European culture, education, and science.

University Town and Round Table Roots

Unavoidably, most associate Tartu with Estonia’s oldest university, founded in 1632. Interestingly, the idea for forming RTEE3 Tartu sprouted thanks to Swedish Tablers scouting the city through the university to find young, active men.

RTEE3 Tartu’s charter date, marking its full Round Table membership, is 10 November 1990. The godparent club is RTSW51 Uppsala, Sweden. As also mentioned in the “From Zero — RTE” documentary, while Finnish Tablers focused on founding RTEE1 and RTEE2 in Tallinn, the Swedes were actively recruiting in the then-closed town of Tartu. The result: Tartu became home to Estonia’s third Round Table club.

Distinguished RTEE3 Members

Among RTEE3’s most recognized members is Jüri Kulbin, known as JFK — an RTEE Past President, past IRO, and Tabler of the Year 2013, also awarded with the Honorary Medal by Round Table International for his contributions to the movement.

Traditions and Events

RTEE3 is closely associated with the RTEE Hunting Days, where brothers gather in the forest to pursue game together. Another club tradition is a sporting challenge in Racketlon against the brothers of RTEE10 Pärnu.

Awards and Achievements

    • 2020/2021 – Old Boys’ Trophy aka “Vanakeste Toop”  (average age of members at year’s end: 36.27)
    • 2018/2019 – Antti Ämber Trophy (highest meeting attendance percentage), Best Community Service Project
    • 2017/2018 – Old Boys’ Trophy aka “Vanakeste Toop”
    • 2015/2016 – Club of the Year, RTEE Eurocup
    • 2011/2012 – RTEE Eurocup
    • 2010/2011 – Antti Ämber Trophy
    • 2007/2008 – Best Community Service Project: Charity Concert

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