News
New Ainola Centre opened in Tartu
The Tartu branch of the Finnish Institute has move to Tampere House at the beginning of this year, turning the building into a broader centre for Finnish culture. At the beginning of 2026, the Ainola Centre has begun operating there.
Memorial plaque for freedom fighter Enn Uibo unveiled in Veszprém, Hungary
On 27 October 2025, a memorial plaque in Hungarian and Estonian was unveiled on the wall of the main entrance of the Eötvös Károly Library in Veszprém, Hungary, in memory of Estonian poet, guardian of Finno-Ugric unity, and freedom fighter Enn Uibo (1912, Vana-Kariste – 1965 Dubravlag, Mordvin SSR).
In memoriam Ivar Sinimets (1952-2025)
It is with deep sadness that we received the news of the passing of Ivar Sinimets (7 October 1952 – 4 August 2025), a translator, …
In memoriam Arnold Rüütel (1928-2024)
The deceased President of the Republic of Estonia will go down in the history of our country as a statesman who was one of the …
In memoriam Jaan Tooming 28.03.1946- 5.04.2024
The director and actor Jaan Tooming, who considered Finno-Ugric ways of thinking important to Estonians, has passed away. Inspired by the work of Uku Masing, he reflected these thoughts in his theatre productions.
Mari holiday Shorykyol
The Mari holiday begins on a Friday after the new moon after the Winter Solstice. Shorykyol lasts for a week, this year from 5 January to 12 January.
'Smoke Sauna Sisterhood' nominated for international awards
The Estonian-made and co-produced documentary film ‘Smoke Sauna Sisterhood’, or ‘Savvusanna sõsarad’ in South Estonian has received much international attention. The movie, directed by Anna …
Estonian Language Board presented proposals regarding Seto, Võro
In May, the Estonian Language Board suggested eight proposals regarding the legal status of the South Estonian languages, Võro and Seto.
XIII Youth Song Festival
The XIII Estonian Youth Song Festival “Holy is the Land” took place in the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds from 30 June to 2 July. The …
The Ethnic Science Award goes to linguist and anthropologist Roza Laptander
The Kindred Peoples’ Programme’s Ethnic Science Award goes to linguist and anthropologist Roza Laptander for her research on the silence of the Nenets.
The Nordic Pavilion Becomes the First Sámi Pavilion
For the first time, only Sámi artists will be presented in a national pavilion at the Venice Biennale, and for the first time, the Sámi will be recognised as a nation in a pavilion that bears their name.
Estonia's Soomaa region dugout boat culture added to UNESCO protection list
This is Estonia's fifth entry on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list and the first which is described as urgently in need of safeguarding.