Dmitrii Filkin (20) grew up in Saint Petersburg, Russia. He visited Estonia with his parents when he was a child and it really made an impression – he saw it as a country he would like to return to for a longer period of time one day. After high school, he made his decision, and now, he is determined to contribute to Estonian society while he lives here. One such opportunity arose for him in the form of the work experience programme of the Integration Foundation.

You grew up in Russia. What made you decide to move to Estonia after high school?

I believe that the impetus for this came from the memories I made when I visited Estonia as a child. My parents and I used to come here quite often. After high school, I found out that there was a great place here in Narva where I could get a higher education, so I decided to come here to study. I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Languages and Multilingualism in School at the University of Tartu Narva College, and I am in my third year of living here.

What do you like about Estonia?

I think Estonia is innovative not only in terms of technology, but also as a country and a society. Living here, I can see and experience all of that for myself. I am also interested in the native Russian speakers from Lasnamäe and Ida-Viru County who already live here. It interests me greatly why some of them have not yet been integrated into society so far or why they do not speak Estonian.

Speaking of language skills, your own Estonian is quite good. How did you achieve that?

I attribute that to both independent learning and courses offered by the university. If you come to Estonia as a foreign student, the university will provide you the opportunity to learn Estonian during your first year. I took advantage of this opportunity, and after that, I continued to do everything I could to practise the language enough. I have also attended courses at the Estonian Language House in Narva.

You took part in our autumn work experience programme. Where did you find out about it and why did you decide to apply?

I cannot even remember where I learned about it. I am, however, familiar with the activities of the Estonian Language House, and I must have found it while looking for information about their courses. However, I applied because I was already interested in how your country works when I arrived in Estonia and communicated with authorities. It is completely different from my home country, and I saw that this programme would help me to experience it all for myself and see it up close. The summer school and the information day at the joint building of ministries at the end of August were certainly also a boost. I have to admit that it all really spoke to me. As a young person, I was drawn in by how modern everything is here.

Which public institution did you have your work experience in and what were your duties there?

I did my work experience at the Integration Foundation and it was extremely interesting to be part of the work experience programme, in particular. For example, I was tasked with creating a feedback questionnaire for the participants in the programme, as well as a summary of the responses of the trainees. I was involved in the preparation of the schedule of the work experience programme and the preparation of information days. Among other tasks, I helped to put together a quiz on the topic. My supervisor and I also discussed the schedule and organisation of possible activities for the work experience programme.

How motivated are you to work in the Estonian public sector in general?

The work experience programme gave me my first exposure to the sector. I have always had a great interest in the work of the police officers and border guards here. Even when I was not living in Estonia, I watched them do their job. I could see that they all have a strong purpose in their work: to ensure and contribute to the security of the Estonian state. I can see that there are a lot of people in the Estonian authorities who want to make a proper contribution to making life in Estonia better. However, if I were to start my own job, I would be interested in language policy, first and foremost. I would like to continue my studies in linguistics here and then use the knowledge I have gained in the public sector.

What other memories do you have about the programme?

I liked the fact that even though I was a trainee, I was spoken to as an equal. I felt valued. In addition, the programme provides excellent language practice.

There are not many people with a different language and cultural background in the Estonian public sector. What do you think – should their number be higher?

I would say it is still up to the state authorities. Of course, if we look at the Western world, it is already common for people from other linguistic and cultural backgrounds to be represented in government sectors there. This diversifies the public sector and gives everyone a chance to contribute to the future of the country they live in.

Would you recommend the work experience programme to your friends?

I highly recommend it. It certainly opens the first door to the Estonian public sector, but even if you do not see yourself working in the public sector in the future, I would still recommend it – if only for the excellent language practice, which is really, really useful.

Is there anything else you would like to add at the end?

Do not be afraid to speak Estonian! If you make mistakes, you will make mistakes and you will be corrected, but be brave and challenge yourself.

Katrin Maiste, Head of Labour Market Services and Dmitrii’s supervisor during the work experience programme

In autumn 2023, a dozen active, motivated students with excellent Estonian language skills participated in the work experience programme of the Integration Foundation and found a traineeship in a public institution. The aim of the programme is to encourage young people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds to take an interest in working in the Estonian public sector, and thereby make our public sector more diverse. We hope that the programme fulfils its purpose and that today’s trainees will become tomorrow’s new colleagues. To make sure this happens, I invite everyone to volunteer as a supervisor for our programme. Dmitrii and I met a few times in the office, but mostly held regular online meetings, as I work in Tallinn and Dmitrii studies in Narva. What I like about Dmitrii is his hard work, great interest in the Estonian language, and sense of duty. For example, when preparing the feedback form, we discussed the use of a few expressions that are understood in one way by an Estonian but differently by a learner with another native language – moments like that develop the supervisor, as well. It is also tremendously good to discuss with Dmitrii, an expert on the target group, about how to appeal to students and what would bring them to the work experience programme.

Film recommendations for the Cultural Diversity Year

Sources: Arkaader, Jaak Lõhmus, Estonian Film Database, Estonian Film Institute

As we celebrate the Cultural Diversity Year, it is also a good time to take a look at the greatest Estonian films. The history of Estonian filmmaking is replete with a diverse array of directors and their unique films.

If you are looking for a guide to the most memorable and important films, you should check 101 Estonian Films by Tristan Priimägi.

Below, we have listed some of the films that have captured our cultural diversity in a striking way. Arkaader, the visual home of Estonian film, as curated by the Estonian Film Institute and the Film Archives, has lent a helping hand and is eager to open its treasure trove to all film enthusiasts.

In the words of Jaak Lõhmus, we invite you to travel the path of visual anthropology.

The lights go out in the hall, you can hear a film reel whirring and clicking somewhere. The film will start soon.

The first steps of Estonian cinema

Estonian cinema and filmmaking has a long history. On 28 December 1895, brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière demonstrated their new invention, the cinematograph, to the public in Paris. Less than a year later, the wondrous machine could be seen in Tallinn and then in Tartu.

The first film shootings in Estonia, however, took place several years later. When the King of Sweden visited Tallinn on his way to St Petersburg on 30 April 1908, it was filmed and the short film was shown on local cinema screens a few days later. From that year onwards, the magical expedition began, with Johannes Pääsuke as its pioneer.

Journey through Setomaa by Johannes Pääsuke (1913)

The first Estonian filmmaker was Johannes Pääsuke (1892–1918). The young Pääsuke, who had just turned twenty, recorded Sergei Utochkin’s aerial flight on 27 and 28 April 1912 in Tartu and these documentary shots were shown a few days later, on 30 April 1912, at the Illusion Cinema in Tartu. This date can be considered the birthday of Estonian cinema.

During the next few years, Pääsuke produced several documentary films and short films and the first full-length feature film Bear Hunting in Pärnumaa.

In the context of the Cultural Diversity Year, we recommend watching his anthropological documentary Journey through Setomaa (1913).

It can be found at arkaader.ee

Self Made Cameraman by Hardi Volmer (2019)

It is a true homage from one filmmaker to another. Hardi Volmer portrayed Johannes Pääsuke and Setomaa in a contemporary feature film starring Ott Sepp and Märt Avandi.

You can find it at arkaader.ee

Waves of Passion by Vladimir Gaidarov (1930)

This film by Vladimir Gaidarov, which talks about the adventurous lives of alcohol smugglers, is the first German-Estonian collaboration. Estonian actor Ants Eskola, ballet dancer Robert Rood, and the local coastal folk play the roles of sailors. 

You can find it at arkaader.ee.

The Winds of the Milky Way by Lennart Meri (1977)

It is a cultural-anthropological documentary on the ethnography and ethnogenesis of the Finno-Ugric peoples and the sequel to another film by Lennart Meri, The Waterfowl People (1970). Meri interprets the kinship as well as linguistic and cultural relations of Finno-Ugric peoples. Finns, Vepsians, Votians, Setos, Erzya Mordvins, Mansi, Hungarians, Sami, Nganasans, and Estonians were recorded in 1977 in Northern Finland, Lapland, the Vepsa region, the Votia region, Mordovia, the Khanty-Mansi region, Hungary, the Taymyr Peninsula, Setomaa, Saaremaa, and Muhumaa, and in 1970, in the district of Nenets.

Lennart Meri, President of the Republic of Estonia, worked as an editor, screenwriter, and director at Tallinnfilm from 1963 to 1971 and from 1986 to 1988.

You can find it at arkaader.ee .