Ado Köögardal's Diary on Pivotal Events in Valga 1916-1918

Ado Köögardal was assistant pastor of Valga St. Peter's Congregation from 1916 to 1918, during which he made notes in his diary about what he saw and experienced.

Köögardal was born in Viljandi County on January 9, 1891 (new style), received his primary education at the local elementary school, and continued his studies at Viljandi City School and Hugo Treffner's Private Gymnasium in Tartu. He entered the University of Tartu in 1910 and graduated from its Faculty of Theology in 1916. In August of the same year, his probationary year began at Valga Estonian St. Peter's Congregation. A year later, he was ordained as assistant pastor under Richard Wühner, pastor of Valga St. Peter's Congregation. During the two years he lived in Valga, he also worked as a teacher in several schools. After Valga, Köögardal moved in September 1918 to work in Oudova, Russia, and then to Kanepi. From 1921 until his death in 1957, Ado Köögardal was a pastor in Keila.

Köögardal kept his diaries from 1910 to 1952, but not all of them have survived in their entirety. Nevertheless, the Harju County Museum in Keila publishes Köögardal's diaries on its website, where the author describes socio-political events in his unique style, as sincere and emotional notes. Public readings of Köögardal's diaries are also held at Keila Manor.

At the remembrance evening taking place at Valga Museum on July 15 at 16:00, the main topic will be the events in Valga during 1916-1918. The event will feature Ado Köögardal's greatgranddaughter Ulla Kadakas, who works as a researcher-curator at the Estonian History Museum. 

The event will be held in Estonian. 

You are welcome to participate!