Edward von Lõngus’ artwork “Kannahabe and the Witch Hunter” on Toomemägi

On Toomemägi, near a University of Tartu building and across from the Supreme Court, you’ll find a mural that makes you both smile and raise an eyebrow. The street artist Edward von Lõngus’ piece “Kannahabe and the Witch Hunter” depicts a police officer named “Witch Hunter” putting handcuffs on Sammalhabe (Mossbeard), a beloved children’s character — only this time, his beard is made of... cannabis leaves.

This work is a characteristic blend of Lõngus’ playfulness and sharp social commentary. It speaks not only about drug policy, but also about stereotypes, control, and the clash between norms and imagination. Rather than giving answers, it invites the viewer to draw their own conclusions. This kind of layered meaning is a hallmark of Edward von Lõngus’ style. The artist was awarded the Tartu City Cultural Prize in 2014 for this very piece.

Often called “the Estonian Banksy,” Edward von Lõngus has shaped the face of Estonian street art since 2007. His stencil-based works have appeared on walls in Tartu and across major European cities, bringing art out of galleries and into the urban space — freely accessible to all. Whether it’s Sure, koer! in Palamuse, President Päts’ Many Faces under Kaarsild, or Kannahabe and the Witch Hunter on Toomemägi, Lõngus masterfully combines local culture, global themes, and pop iconography. This piece is a prime example — fairy-tale simple yet rich with meaning. It’s street art that speaks — and ultimately lets you decide whose side you’re on.