Open House Tallinn volunteer Kristel Ress visited Open House Milan at the beginning of May. Here she shares her experience of the event and reflects on why volunteering for Open House is so meaningful.
Why did you decide to volunteer abroad at Open House?
Volunteering has always been a natural part of my life. Everyone connects with the causes that speak to them personally. As a child, I dreamed of becoming an architect. Life took a different turn, but I’ve now spent over 17 years working as a language editor—including editing texts in the field of architecture. So I had known about Open House Tallinn for quite some time.
In 2024, thanks to Tartu’s year as European Capital of Culture, the festival also reached my hometown (as a satellite event of OHT), and I immediately signed up. The experience was exciting and rewarding. After that, applying for the Open House Europe volunteer exchange program felt like a natural next step. Anyone who has volunteered at least once at an Open House event is eligible. For 2025, I could choose between a few cities in Spain and Portugal—or Milan. The decision was easy: I have some Italian language skills, which turned out to be essential. And really—who doesn’t love Italy? 🙂
What were your impressions, and where did you volunteer?
I spent a busy weekend in Milan. About 10 days before the festival, I was assigned to the Grand Hotel et de Milan—a luxury hotel in the city center—for both Saturday and Sunday. According to Tripadvisor, it’s the top-rated hotel in Milan and has a rich cultural history. The composer Giuseppe Verdi lived there for 27 years and passed away in the hotel in 1901. For Italians, Verdi is more than just a composer—he’s a national hero whose music inspired hope and resistance during the country’s unification.
His former apartment, now the “Verdi Suite,” was the highlight of our tour. The hotel has hosted numerous prominent figures from Italian cultural and political life. Open House Milano’s organizing team was very active (and understandably busy): more than 100 sites were open to the public that weekend, which also marked their 10th anniversary.
On Friday evening, Maya Plata, one of the two main organizers and the head of volunteers, invited the international volunteers to a meetup at a central café. It was a great chance to ask final questions and brush up on essential Italian phrases—which turned out to be a lifesaver, as most of our visitors were locals from Milan or the Lombardy region, many of whom didn’t speak English or German. One of my tasks was to ask them to scan a QR code to fill out a sustainability survey—open only to Lombardy residents—so I had plenty of interactions.
Working as an assistant at the hotel went as expected: on both days, there were long queues, and I often had to turn people away. The hotel was participating in Open House for the fifth year, and the accommodation manager, Stefano Donati, was present both days, providing invaluable support. The hotel staff were kind and professional, and the collaboration went smoothly.
Each tour group was limited to ten people due to the small size of some rooms and the need to avoid disturbing hotel guests. I spent much of the weekend outside by the hotel entrance, managing the line and chatting with visitors. The best part was telling the next group, “Andiamo!” and guiding them up the small staircase to the lobby, where the guide took over. The phrase I probably used most was “Tutto pieno”—“We’re full.”
It was striking how important this hotel was to Milanese visitors. A technical issue had prevented pre-registration, so people queued for hours under the hot sun, watching trams and motorbikes pass by on the narrow street. I spoke with hundreds of people over two days—about the hotel, the event, and Open House itself. One unexpected moment: I had a lovely conversation in Hungarian with a US-born man living in Milan who had once gone fishing near Lake Peipus in Estonia!
Due to the overwhelming interest, some tour groups exceeded the 10-person limit, and on Sunday, our guide Anna, along with Maya, who stepped in as a second guide, doubled the number of tours. Their decision—and the hotel’s agreement—helped ensure no one left disappointed. I was impressed by the quick thinking and generosity of everyone involved. Of course, we still had to turn away hundreds of hopefuls, but we encouraged them to visit Open House Rome or Turin, and many were surprised to learn the initiative exists in so many cities globally.
There were three international volunteers in Milan. Besides me, Mantas from Lithuania and Elaf from Sweden (an architect originally from Iraq) also joined. We quickly bonded, helped each other, explored the city together, and shared meals. Thanks to them, I managed to visit one site outside of my own—a former silk warehouse now home to an Asian art gallery.
Why do you recommend volunteering at Open House Tallinn?
Open House Tallinn is a fantastic opportunity for people of all kinds and motivations. Some might be drawn to a particular building, some want their first volunteer experience, and others might just need a break from everyday work. What unites us is a shared curiosity about architecture, urban space, and cultural heritage, as well as a willingness to help, communicate, and adapt.
The event gives us a new lens on our home cities, fosters meaningful encounters, and builds new opportunities. It only takes one weekend, the time commitment is manageable, and it’s open to everyone regardless of age. What matters most is your enthusiasm and readiness to contribute in a way that suits you.
During Open House Tartu, I initially signed up as an assistant but ended up guiding tours at the Tartu Cathedral ruins when a guide dropped out at the last minute. I received heartfelt thanks from curious visitors, many of them international. That weekend made me truly hope that Open House Tartu will become a regular satellite of OHT.
Open House Tallinn is part of Open House Europe, a collaborative project co-funded by the European Union.
Volunteer registration for 2025 opens in summer. Join our mailing list here to get your invitation.
