To mark the 500th anniversary of the Estonian book, an embroidered tapestry depicting the history of the Estonian book is being created. The total length of the tapestry is nearly 17 metres, with approximately one metre of embroidery dedicated to each of Estonia’s 15 counties. The literary historical events to be depicted on the tapestry were selected by media historian Krista Aru and Mart Jagomägi, director of the publishing house Ilmamaa, with historical accuracy supported by historian Aivar Põldvee. The visual outline of the tapestry was designed by fourth-year students of the Textile Department of the Pallas University of Applied Sciences.

People from all across Estonia — anyone with interest and initiative — have had the opportunity to embroider this story of the book. The embroidery work began in February 2025. The patron of the tapestry is Sirje Karis, spouse of the President of the Republic of Estonia, who made the first stitches together with textile artist Anu Raud. With the support of the Estonian Folk Art and Craft Union, the tapestry travelled through all counties and reached many public libraries, where everyone interested could contribute to its creation based on the design and in line with their own skills.

The National Library of Estonia had the pleasure of hosting it on 28–30 January, where more than one hundred people took part in embroidering it. The National Library will also be the first place where the tapestry will be exhibited to the public — during the closing conference of the Year of the Estonian Book on 13–14 March 2026. After that, the tapestry will be transferred to the collection of the Estonian National Museum, where it will continue to tell not only the story of the book, but also express the gratitude of all Estonian people to the 500-year-old Estonian book, which has carried their aspiration for education, enlightenment, and freedom.