The Integration Foundation invites adults living in Estonia from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds to take part in programmes introducing Estonian culture and customs. New groups will begin meeting in Tallinn and Tartu in October, presenting participants with the opportunity to improve their Estonian language skills and learn more about the culture, history, nature, and traditions of Estonia.

The programmes are intended for adults who are legally residing in Estonia and whose native language is not Estonian. Taking part offers the opportunity to use Estonian in everyday communication and to discover Estonian culture through practical activities, discussions, and joint study visits.

One programme includes:

• 20 academic hours of workshops, discussions, and culture-themed meetings;
• five study visits to museums, exhibitions, cultural events, and other exciting places.

The meetings will cover a wide range of topics, including Estonian music and theatre, art, history, folk education, nature, the environment, national holidays, and customs. The study visits will take participants to places such as the House of the Black Heads, the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, the Estonian Open Air Museum, the Great Guild Hall, the Energy Discovery Centre, and the Tallinn Botanic Garden.

Two groups, two different programmes

Tallinn group 24 starts on 7 October, and the programme runs until 6 December. The topics covered during the meetings will include music and theatre, art, folk education and St. Martin’s Day traditions, Estonian culture and history, and nature and environmental protection.

The study visits will include trips to the House of the Black Heads, the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, the Estonian Open-Air Museum, the Great Guild Hall, and the Tallinn Botanic Garden.

Tallinn group 25 starts on 16 October, and the programme runs until 13 December. The focus is on music and theatre, art, the living environment and the green transition, Estonian culture and history, as well as folk education and Christmas traditions.

The study visits by this group will take participants to the House of the Black Heads, the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, the Energy Discovery Centre, the Great Guild Hall, and the Estonian Open-Air Museum.

Tallinn Group 26 starts on 26 October and runs until 27 December. The programme focuses on Estonian nature and traditional celebrations, medicinal plants and medieval Tallinn, applied arts and handicrafts, the living environment and nature conservation, as well as public education and Christmas traditions.

The study visits will take participants to the Estonian Open Air Museum, Tallinn City Life Museum, Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, Tallinn Botanic Garden, and once again to the Estonian Open Air Museum, where they will explore Estonian Christmas traditions at Kuie School.

Discovering Estonian Culture Beyond Tartu

In addition to visiting cultural venues in Tartu, the programme of the Tartu group will take participants to Palamuse, Obinitsa, and the Peipsimaa region. This provides the opportunity to discover Estonian culture and history through different places, people, and traditions.

At the Tartu Toy Museum, participants will explore the exhibitions of the museum, while a visit to the Palamuse Oskar Luts’ Parish School Museum will allow participants to explore Estonian literature and, in particular, the works of Oskar Luts. The study visit also includes exploring Palamuse and its historic surroundings.

In Obinitsa, participants will learn about Seto culture, the local dialect, and the role of the Setos within Estonian cultural life. They will also visit the Obinitsa Seto Museum. At the Peipsimaa Heritage Centre, participants will learn more about the culture and history of the Lake Peipus region.

In Tartu, there will be a workshop and a guided tour of the Estonian National Museum, where participants will be able to broaden their knowledge of Estonian culture, history, and society.

Practising Estonian in a Real-Life Setting and Experiencing Culture First-Hand

The aim of the programme is to do more than simply gain new insights into Estonian culture. Equally important is the opportunity to practise Estonian in a natural setting, to interact with other participants, and to discover the local culture and customs together.

The programme also involves volunteers whose mother tongue is Estonian, who support participants where necessary and give them another opportunity to practise their Estonian through direct interaction.

All adults residing in Estonia on a legal basis and whose native language is not Estonian can participate in the activities. New members are expected to take part in all the activities planned for the group.

Registration:

7 October Tallinn iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/services/18034

16 October Tallinn iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/services/18035

26 October Tallinn iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/services/18074 

The programme also involves volunteers whose native language is Estonian, who support participants where necessary, and give them the opportunity to practise their Estonian.

The programme is co-funded by the Swiss Confederation as part of its contribution towards reducing economic and social disparities within the European Union.