Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum has brought to Tartu the trophies won by Finnish ski jumping legend Matti Nykänen, along with memorabilia dedicated to him.

This collection was brought to Estonia to coincide with the screenings of the documentary Matti Nykänen - The Legend, featured in the Black Nights Film Festival lineup.

The collection includes the gold medal from the 1981 Junior World Championships and all of his 22 Finnish Championship medals spanning from 1981 to 1991. Also on display is the World Cup leader’s jersey that Nykänen wore in Sapporo in 1986.

Further featured at the exhibition is a gold-plated commemorative plaque dedicated to Nykänen and produced in 2013 by Suomen Moneta in a limited edition of 500 pieces. Also featured is a cider bottle bearing his portrait alongside with one of his most famous quotes, “Elämä on laiffii” (“Life is life”), produced in 2002 by the Tampere-based company PM Juomatukku Oy.

The memorabilia will be on display before and after the screening on November 9 at 7pm at the Apollo Tasku cinema, and from November 12th to 30th at the Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum.

All of these valuable items are on loan from Finland’s TAHTO Center for Finnish Sports Culture.

The film Matti Nykänen – The Legend also marks the opening of the Black Nights Film Festival’s Sports Film Programme, presented by the Estonian Olympic Committee.

“Nykänen’s story is a vivid example of how thin the line can be between brilliance and tragedy. He was an athlete who lived life to the fullest. This film reminds us that behind every great achievement lies human vulnerability and that’s exactly what makes his story so deeply moving,” says programme curator Mikk Granström, speaking about Olli Laine’s film.

According to Kristo Tohver, Secretary General of the Estonian Olympic Committee, every top athlete has a story to tell. “I’m truly pleased that our collaboration with BNFF continues, allowing us to bring inspiring stories to Estonian sports fans. These films show that passion, curiosity and determination often matter more than the medal itself,” he said.

Five films make up this year’s sports film programme.

Andres Luidre’s documentary Until the End makes its world premiere, offering an intimate look at the passion for running.

Irish directors Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn’s feature film Saipan tells the story of how football star Roy Keane clashed with manager Mick McCarthy during the 2002 World Cup training camp.

Australian filmmaker Jennifer Peedom follows deep-sea divers as they push the limits of their abilities in her documentary Deeper. Meanwhile, in The Lost Dream Team Croatian documentarian Jure Pavlović explores the journey of the Yugoslav national basketball team at the 1991 European Championships, set against the backdrop of a nation on the brink of collapse.

Black Nights Film Festival runs until November 23.

Explore the sports film lineup HERE.