{"id":73935,"date":"2026-09-28T10:14:55","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T07:14:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fennougria.ee\/?p=73935"},"modified":"2026-09-28T10:16:23","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T07:16:23","slug":"fenno-ugria-summer-school-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fennougria.ee\/en\/fenno-ugria-summer-school-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Fenno-Ugria summer school 2026: identity and exile, what can we do?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fenno-Ugria summer school this year, \u2018Identity and Exile: What Can We Do?\u2019, was held at the Rannaliiv Hotel<\/a> in V\u00f5su from 28\u201330 August. The event offered a multifaceted and in-depth insight into the history of the Finno-Ugric peoples, including the Finnic peoples, their linguistic preservation and the cultural challenges they face in today\u2019s changing world. Spread over two days, the presentations and discussions interwove academic research with direct, personal accounts, creating a comprehensive picture of the survival strategies of small nations and communities.<\/p>

First day<\/h3>
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Jaak Prozes, main organiser of the summer school<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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T\u00f5nu Seilenthal raises the Finno-Ugric flag with Livonian children<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>

The seminar was opened by Riina Laanetu<\/strong> from the Rannakeel Centre, a non-profit organisation, who gave an introduction to the local coastal dialect and people of Northern Estonia. The presentation covered the centre\u2019s practical activities, the distinctive features of the coastal dialect, its historical development and its place in modern society, demonstrating how regional language varieties can be kept alive.<\/p>

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Patrick O’Rourke and Madis Arukask<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Riina Laanetu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Sven-Erik Soosaar and Janis Mednis<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>

Photographer and musician Janis Mednis<\/strong> shared his unique family story in a talk entitled \u2018My Livonian-Speaking Family, Which I Created\u2019. Whilst also introducing his book for young children, K\u016bldal\u00e4p\u0161<\/em> (\u2018Golden Child\u2019), Mednis spoke about how to raise a child in a native-language environment where almost no one else speaks that language.<\/p>

Academician and archaeologist Valter Lang<\/strong> (University of Tartu) delivered a comprehensive academic presentation based on his work L\u00e4\u00e4nemeresoome tulemised<\/em> (Finnic be-comings<\/em>). Drawing on the latest archaeological discoveries and research, Lang analysed the development of the Finnic settlement on the territory of present-day Estonia. His presentation sought answers to fundamental questions \u2013 how and when our ancestors arrived here.<\/p>

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Valter Lang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Aivar J\u00fcrgenson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Alexander Ryabchikov and Valentina Nikolaeva<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>

Second day<\/h3>

The focus of the second day was on Estonian communities abroad and endangered ethnic groups.<\/p>

The second day of the seminar began with a lecture by ethnologist Aivar J\u00fcrgenson<\/strong> (Estonian National Museum) entitled \u2018The development of the Estonian diaspora, Estonian community life and organisations\u2019. J\u00fcrgenson took the audience on a journey to distant countries such as Argentina and Brazil, explaining the reasons behind the formation of Estonian communities and how they are maintained abroad. He discussed the functioning of Estonian Houses, societies, schools and other associations, as well as their funding models, which have enabled Estonian culture to endure across the globe.<\/p>

Next to speak was Alevtina Soldatova Gongi\u0161t<\/strong>, a Veps woman, who presented her book and the master\u2019s thesis on which it was based, \u2018About Us Veps and More\u2019, which she had defended at the University of Tartu. Drawing on her personal experience, she explored cultural contacts and conflicts in today\u2019s world. The presentation was commented on by Madis Arukask<\/strong>, an associate professor of folklore at the University of Tartu, who supervised the master\u2019s thesis, initiated the publication of the book and also translated the work.<\/p>

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Alevtina Soldatova Gongi\u0161t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Madis Arukask<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Britt-Kathleen Mere<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>

In the afternoon, Mari Aleksander Ryabchikov<\/strong> and Udmurt Valentina Nikolaeva<\/strong> \u2013 a mixed family whose four children speak the languages of both of these small ethnic groups \u2013 will share their extraordinary experience. Their practical advice and reflections on motivation show that passing on a language is possible even in the most challenging circumstances, provided the family has a shared goal and offers mutual support.<\/p>

The seminar was concluded by Britt-Kathleen Mere<\/strong>, Chair of the NGO H\u00f5imul\u00f5imed, who led a discussion on the future of the Finno-Ugric peoples. In an ever-faster and increasingly globalised world, we are collectively seeking answers to the question: what concrete steps can we take to support and preserve the cultural heritage of our kindred peoples?<\/p>

Final day<\/h3>

On the third day of the summer school, an excursion took place in the vicinity of V\u00f5su, introducing the coastal people and the coastal dialect, led by Riina Laanetu.<\/p>

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Participants of the summer school after the excursion near V\u00f5su<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The Fenno-Ugria summer school formed an arc stretching from the past to the future: Valter Lang\u2019s archaeological perspective laid the foundations \u2013 an understanding of where we come from. Other presentations brought the audience face to face with the challenges of everyday life in the present and the preservation of living languages, be it the moribund Livonian language, regional coastal dialects or the Finno-Ugric minorities in Russia. Aivar J\u00fcrgenson\u2019s lecture broadened the picture of Estonian identity\u2019s vitality from a global perspective, whilst the closing discussion led by Britt-Kathleen Mere looked to the future, offering a platform for joint action in preserving the Finno-Ugric cultural space.<\/p>

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FURTHER INFORMATION:<\/p>\n\n

Jaak Prozes
jaak.prozes@fennougria.ee<\/p>\n\r\n<\/div>

<\/p>

Previous Fenno-Ugria’s summer schools:<\/p>