The Cultural Diversity Year invites you to participate in the events taking place from 14 until 30 September to celebrate this year’s Day of Nationalities. The holiday, celebrated on 24 September, is dedicated to the communities of Estonians and other nationalities living in Estonia. Read more
EVENTS OF THE DAY OF NATIONALITIES
Harju County, Tallinn: 14–24 September – Days of National Cultures. The objective of celebrating the Days of National Cultures is to raise awareness of different nationalities living in Tallinn and introduce the versatile and fascinating cultures of the local residents. Free concerts, exhibitions, workshops, lectures, events for children, and many other exciting options. Learn more
Harju County, Tallinn: 14 September – Ukrainian Film and Borscht Day. During the Days of National Cultures, the film Slovo House. Unfinished Novel by Taras Tomenko, a Ukrainian director, is going to be screened at the Sõprus Cinema.
Harju County, Tallinn: 14–15 September – Borscht Unites. This event in the programme of the Days of National Cultures, organised by the Estonian Association of Ukrainian Organisations, helps get acquainted with the Ukrainian culture and its unique traits. You get a chance to taste this traditional Ukrainian soup prepared by Estonian and Ukrainian head chefs. Moreover, there is an opportunity to participate in My Favourite Borscht photography competition and win prizes.
Harju County, Tallinn: 14 September – Little Cabin, an opera for children. Russian Cultural Centre prepared a present for its youngest audience members, their mums and dads, as well as grandmas and grandpas to celebrate the Days of National Cultures. The entire family is welcome!
Harju County, Tallinn: 13–30 September – exhibition of Azerbaijani carpets and art. A workshop on Azerbaijani carpet weaving and painting/drawing.
Harju County, Tallinn: 14–15 September – Ethnography Fair. A joint event of numerous cultural societies of national minorities, featuring a diverse cultural programme. Folk handicrafts, national cuisines, and a concert programme by folk groups.
Harju County, Tallinn: 15 September – Estonian Bread Day and Autumn Fair ‘Cuisines of Nations’. Every nation has its own unique cuisine that has been shaped by its natural native environment as well as history. Throughout the ages, cuisines have been impacted by cultural contacts and relationships with neighbours near and far. The events of this programme take place in the buildings and courtyards of the Estonian Open Air Museum.
Harju County, Tallinn: 21 September – Venezuelan Heritage Day. We can soon only dream of warm summer days, but the true heat arrives in September with the Venezuelan Heritage Day.
Ida-Viru County, Jõhvi: 21 September – XX National Minorities Festival ‘National Cultures Creative Pot’. Flavours of different cuisines. Folk games. The associations of national minorities active in Ida-Viru County introduce and serve the audience characteristic fare from their cuisines. You can try dishes from Tatars, Belorussians, Ingrian Finns, Votians, Ukrainians, Russians, Uzbeks, Poles, and Estonians.
Jõgeva County, Mustvee: 24 September –Day of Nationalities ‘Our Home’. A fair takes place in the Cultural Centre and the main street of the town of Mustvee. You can attend the following workshops: a dance workshop; wrist band weaving. In addition, a singing event will take place, where everyone is welcome to join in, ending with a magnificent concert in the Mustvee Cultural Centre.
Lääne County, Haapsalu: 24 September – Evening with Ingrian Finns. The evening starts with a theatrical performance of To Ingria by Haapsalu Youth Centre, followed by a discussion night with typical snacks of Ingrian Finns, led by Aili Tervonen and Svea Stamberg from the Association of Ingrian Finns in West Estonia. Learn more
Saaremaa, Kuressaare: 24 September – Literary Café of Nationalities. Representatives of various nationalities are going to be guests of the café and club – Lithuanians, Cubans, Ghanaians, Germans, and French people will read texts, both prose and poetry, in their native languages. The evening is led by Tõnis Kipper who will tie all the stories into a whole and lead conversations with the guests of the café. Representatives of various nationalities living in Saaremaa are going to perform: Lithuanians, Americans, Germans, Cubans, Ghanaians, and native speakers of French. We have also encouraged libraries in the county to prepare exhibitions on the literature of various nations. Learn more
Järva County, Paide: 24 September – Day of Nationalities. Discussion night ‘Why is Life in Estonia Good?’. The discussion is led by Aljona Suržikova. Lembit Saarsalu, Olav Ehala, and Hanna-Liina Võsa will perform music from different nationalities living among us.
Ida-Viru County, Iisaku: 24 September – My Estonia: Through the Eyes of Ukrainians. The event will feature a panel discussion with the evening's speakers. The concert will be given by Rute and Ruslan Trochynskyi. The exhibition "Rivne polesje koloriit" of the Museum of Ukraine in Kohtla-Järve will be open.
Valga County: 24 September – Discover Multicultural Valga County! An adventure game for the whole family or a group of friends. The objective of the game is to look for words, compile a sentence, and win prizes. Words will be hidden in the nature and urban spaces relevant to the cultural heritage of the county. Learn more
Harju County, Kose: 24 September – Day of Nationalities. Art exhibition ‘Moments in the Lives of Finno-Ugric Nations’ by Stanislav Antipov, an artist with Udmurtian roots who lives in Estonia. During the opening ceremony, Natalia Abrosimova will introduce the traditions of Finno-Ugric peoples. She is the head of Sjatko, a cultural association of Erzyas and Mokshas, and an organiser of Finno-Ugric cultural events in Estonia. Discussion is going to revolve around the issues of the nature of language, endangered languages, and language affinity. The short lecture ends with songs in Erzyan and some linguistic games (similar words in Erzyan and Estonian). The Udmurt folklore group Ošmes is also going to perform. The paintings in the ‘Moments in the Lives of Finno-Ugric Nations’ series reflect the beauty of folk costumes, handicrafts, musical instruments, and daily activities of Estonians, Setos, Erzyans, Maris, and Udmurts.
Viljandi County, Saarepeedi: 24 September – Evening of Nationalities. Workshops: Armenian cooking (dolmas) – Vardan Arutjunjan. Ukrainian and Roma dance class – Dance Hayat. Ukrainian workshop (to be specified). Jelena Sulamanidze’s art exhibition. A concert. An evening with song and dance for everyone to join in. Learn more
Rapla County, Järvakandi: 24 September – Everyone Shares a Love of Food. An exhibition and competition of home-made canned goods. Canned goods are from various nationalities. In addition, Mari Tammar performs on the bagpipes and MCs the event.
Pärnu County, Kilingi-Nõmme: 24 September – Celebrate the Day of Nationalities in Pärnu County! A workshop of dances of various nationalities, led by Jaan Sarv. Jaan plays the garmon and is active in the dance scene. He is passionate about bringing the joy of dancing to anyone interested, be it a group having a party and wanting to dance a little just for fun or an experienced dance enthusiast who wants to learn a new and exciting dance from Estonia or abroad or simply dance an old favourite under the guidance of a skilful tutor. Learn more
Hiiu County, Kärdla: 24 September – Rich with Jewellery. Introduction of jewellery and valuables that are integral to the folk costumes of Hiiumaa. Helgo Põllo, a researcher working for the Hiiu County Museum, will talk about the legends of Estonian Swedes who settled in Hiiumaa. We will learn about the traditional jewellery worn in Hiiumaa as well as Estonia in general from Keiu Kulles, a silversmith. Eero Nõmm, a local traditional jewellery maker, leads a workshop on making rõhud, a traditional piece of Hiiumaa jewellery (a set of chains for wearing on the hip). Eilve Manglus, a lecturer of traditional metal working at the Viljandi Culture Academy, and Mart Paadik will give a lecture on knife sheaths and traditional sewing needle holders. At the event, you will be able to purchase or commission these items from the masters. We are also going to have snacks from the Nepalese, Colombian, Italian, Ukrainian, and Mari cuisines. The event includes dances and music of the Hiiumaa Swedes. The dances are demonstrated by the folklore ensemble Dagö and music is performed by the Hiiumaa Pillisõprade Selts.
Tartu County, Tartu: 24 September – Evening of Nationalities. The evening is dedicated to various nationalities living in the City of Tartu and their dances and songs. Various nationalities introduce their heritage, traditions, and conventions through songs, dances, and folk costumes. The event is organised by Ingrian Finns and Maris. The evening is led by Tiina Konsen. Learn more
Tartu Country, Tartu: 24 September - Armenian Food Culture Workshop. The Armenian food culture workshop will take place at the Emajõe-Suursoo Nature Centre. It is possible to complete a 3-kilometre RMK hiking trail before the event, and also see the insects and winter roads exhibition. Lean more
Võru County, Antsla: 24 September – Seto Culture Night. A concert and a presentation: Piret Torm-Kriis and Evelin Leima introduce the history of Seto culture and a leelo choir will perform. In addition, a demonstration of Seto folk costumes and an exhibition of local handicrafts will take place. Workshops: Seto dance and cuisine. Learn more
Harju County, Loo. 24 September – Concert dedicated to the Day of Nationalities. List of performers: Ukrainian Association ‘Jatran’, Raduga choir, Elurõõm dance group, Belorussian Association ‘Krõnichka’, and family band of Pjotr Zotovich. Come and enjoy a diverse cultural programme! Learn more
Across Estonia online: 24 September – a lecture on intercultural communication. Anastassia Zabrodskaja, Professor of Intercultural Communication at Tallinn University, invites us to notice and understand intercultural differences and explains which aspects we should keep in mind when communicating with people from different cultures.
Lääne-Viru County, Kunda: 28 September – ‘Ukrainians in Estonia’ Family Event. Guest performers from Rakvere, Tapa, Aseri, and Tallinn. The programme includes folk costumes and dances, national cuisines, traditions and customs, a demonstration of folk costumes, and an exhibition of handicrafts. Learn more
Ida-Viru County, Narva: 29 September – Wreath of Estonian Nationalities. A concert that introduces youth groups associated with this project. The Wreath of Estonian Nationalities concert takes place to commemorate the Day of Nationalities celebrated annually at the end of September. The programme includes an opening ceremony of a photography exhibition, Know Your Neighbours quiz, a song and dance marathon, a demonstration of folk costumes, and an award ceremony for winners and participants of the event.
Lääne-Viru County, Rakvere: 24 September – 19 October – Kamalammas 2024. This popular festival dedicated to national cultures and cuisines is going to be a bit different this year – the highlight of the festival, the Day of National Cuisines, is not going to take place to allow culture to take a more prominent place. Learn more
