The 2022 folklore festival “Pritsu pralle” organized by the Valga Museum took place on July 9 and was dedicated to the 155th anniversary of the Valga Volunteer Firefighting Association and the 100th anniversary of Säde Park.
The celebration began with a parade of historical firefighting equipment from the Valka Local History Museum, visiting all the buildings associated with firefighters on both the Valka and Valga sides. Passing through Valga central square, the procession finally reached Säde Park behind the Valga Museum, where the Otepää Brass Band performed, the play “Fire Outbreak” was watched, the Rescue Board’s safety day was held, workshops took place, folk dancers and street dance performances were enjoyed, and members of the Women’s Voluntary Defence Organization, Young Eagles, chimney sweeps, and others participated. In the museum gallery, the exhibition “Firewomen” was open. The event concluded with a concert by Heidy Tamme and Olav Ehala, and “Pritsupralle” was hosted by Lauri Õunapuu.
The establishment of the Valga Volunteer Firefighting Association in Valga in 1867 was initiated by Riga fire inspector Theophil Petris, who managed to train a team and provide them with uniforms in just four months. According to the statutes, climbers and the fire crew were to wear white canvas suits and leather caps, while the chief and his deputy wore helmets with tassels. In 1875, the association had 110 active members. The young association worked successfully. In the first four years, a total of 13 fires were extinguished with good results.
