Yesterday, 5 June the ninth virtual forum of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dedicated to Estonians from all over the world took place at the Arvo Pärt Centre in Laulasmaa. This
forum’s central theme was Estonian cultural identity.
As the XXVIII Song and XXI Dance Celebration and the XIII Estonian Cultural Days ESTO 2025 will take place in Estonia this summer, as well as Arvo Pärt’s 90th birthday and 500th anniversary of the publication of the first book in Estonian, the ninth virtual forum focused on preserving Estonian culture, heritage, and identity.
Minister of Culture Heidy Purga, who opened the virtual forum, stressed that Estonia is unique because of our long cultural traditions, which have lasted from generation to generation and have stood the test of time, and Estonian choral singing and song festival culture has also generated contemporary Estonian music.
“Estonia has a very special cultural summer in terms of major events, and we will try to make a note of this with our forum: lots of good music and lots of good books is the perfect summer recipe for Estonians. Hopefully, Estonians living abroad will enjoy it too, coming to Estonia in this summer either for the song festival, ESTO, a youth language and culture camp or simply to rest and communicate,” Marin Mõttus, Director General of the Department of the Global Estonian Diaspora and Cultural Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said.
Anu Kivilo, Head of the Arvo Pärt Centre, pointed out that Arvo Pärt’s 90th birthday is celebrated all over the world this autumn and that the Arvo Pärt Centre is associated with many events as a partner. “An international academic conference will take place in Laulasmaa in October, bringing Pärt researchers from all over the world to Estonia. For us, this is one of the most important events of the Pärt anniversary year in Estonia.”
The first half of the virtual forum focused on the Song and Dance Celebration as an event that perpetuates Estonian culture. We had a conversation with Agne Kurrikoff-Herman, the dance director of the dance festival, and Hirvo Surva, the renowned choir conductor and artistic director of ESTO 2025. The youth programme of ESTO 2025 in Narva was also introduced. In addition, stories about Estonians abroad were shared and the participants of the forum were greeted by the Estonian community in Perth, Australia.
The second half of the forum took a closer look at the 500th anniversary of the Estonian book and the different places to visit in Estonia in the summer. Literary recommendations were shared by writer Jan Kaus and folk culture researcher Ahto Kaasik (Hiite House Foundation) spoke about natural sacred places in Estonia. A musical interlude was offered by pianists Auli Teppo and Indrek Laul. Journalist Ave-Marleen Rei served as the MC of the forum.
The Global Estonian Forum takes place twice a year and is aimed at viewers in both Estonia and abroad.
The forum can be viewed in Estonian and English.
EST: https://www.youtube.com/live/9h88x5hpDlI (the stream starts at 14:42)
ENG: https://www.youtube.com/live/CcLe9uV1k28 (the stream starts at 14:42)
Photos from the virtual forum.
Additional information
Communication Department
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