Postponed Finno-Ugric world congress to be held in Tartu next June

The VIII World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples, which was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, has been rescheduled for June 16-18, 2021, the nonprofit Fenno-Ugria announced.

The location of the rescheduled world congress — the Estonian National Museum (ERM) in Tartu — will remain the same, as will the previously announced main theme of “Cultural landscapes: language and mind.”

According to world congress project manager Helle Helena Puusepp, the event’s organizing team is continuing work to prepare for the congress.

“Among other things, we will proceed with the registration process for congress observers and journalists,” Puusepp said. “All previously made registrations and paid fees will remain valid.”

In connection with the postponement of the world congress, the congress’ overall visuals have been changed. Estonian artist Peeter Laurits, the author of the visuals, selected bark beetle patterns and petroglyphs found on cliffs along the White Sea as the new central themes.

“For me, these are a metaphor of nature’s handwriting,” Laurits explained. “I believe that these details tell a story that is familiar to all of us, which is also connected by the color maroon.”

Representatives of 23 Finno-Ugric peoples are expected to attend the VIII World Congress in Tartu. Some 500 people are expected to attend the congress, including up to 215 delegates as well as observers, guests and journalists. The presidents of Finland, Hungary, Russia and Estonia have also been invited to attend the congress’ opening ceremony.