The name of artist-icon painter Pimen Sofronov, originated from Tiheda Village, is written with golden letters on the altar of world culture. According to experts, Sofronov is the most influential iconographer of the Russian emigration in Europe and United States.
In the 1930s and 1940s, he established schools of iconography in Riga, Paris, and Belgrade, lectured in Belgium and Prague, and produced works for King Alexander of Yugoslavia and Pope Pius XI in Rome. After World War II, Sofronov was invited to America by Holy Trinity Monastery (Jordanville, New York) to teach iconography. In the 1950s–1960s, he created icons and religious murals for Orthodox Christian churches throughout the United States.
For decades, P. Sofronov has been in his home village and Estonia sunk almost into oblivion. Now its time for him to return to his homeland.
There is a great exposition in the museum dedicated to Pimen Sofronov including his belongings, creation and followers.