Culture and cultural landscapes of Estonia 3320-KKKE-OG

1. Estonian land and people.
2. Estonian identity. Estonian national minorities. Estonian language. Estonian names.
3.. Estonia and Finland. Finno-Ugric world and Estonia.
4.Estonian folklore and literature. Estonian book. Book year 2025.
5.Estonian theatre and literature.
6. Estonian film. Film and books. Film festivals. (PÖFF, Pärnu)
7. Estonian animated films.
8. Estonian folklore and music: folk music and modern music.
9. Art: From Pallas to the present.
10. Folk art and high art
11. Old and new traditions: song festivals and folk costumes.

Type of course

general courses

Prerequisites (description)

The course offers a comprehensive introduction to the culture, history, and contemporary reality of Estonia. Its aim is to present a multifaceted portrait of a country which—despite its small size—possesses a rich cultural heritage and a dynamically developing social life. Students will explore the formation of Estonian lands and the nation, as well as the complex identity of its inhabitants, shaped both by Finno-Ugric traditions and by contacts with other cultures in the region. An important part of the course is the cultural perspective on the Estonian language: its unique features, its role in shaping national identity, and its presence in public space, including naming traditions. The course covers a wide range of cultural topics: folklore and its modern reinterpretations, the development of literature, Estonian theatre, and various aspects of filmmaking—both feature and animated films, with special attention to the work of Priit Pärn. Key works and figures in the visual arts will also be discussed, from the Pallas school tradition to contemporary artistic trends. A significant element is the distinction between folk art and fine art, illustrated with examples from the work of Anu Raud and Kärt Summatavet. Students will also learn about living traditions that shape Estonian culture today, such as song and dance festivals and the rich variety of folk costumes. The program further includes an overview of Estonian-Finnish relations and Estonia’s place within the broader Finno-Ugric world. In addition, the course presents the current political and social situation, the model of a modern digital state, and the functioning of national minorities. Its aim is not only to provide knowledge, but also to develop comparative skills and critical thinking about cultural phenomena in the Baltic region.

Course coordinators

Ewelina Bator
Lea Jürgenstein

Mode

Classroom

Learning outcomes

The Course is a collection of the most important information about the Estonia. Students will learn the basics of the Estonian history, literature and culture. Also the current political situation and the overview of the sociaty will be presented.

The student knows and understands:
the most important phenomena occurring in the fields of literature, culture, and history, as well as the basic terminology used to describe them, and understands its origins and applications (K_W05);
in a systematic way, the processes of interpersonal, social, and intercultural communication (K_W10).

The student is able to:
search for, analyse, evaluate, select, and use information necessary for participation in classes, drawing on various sources and methods (K_U04);
use substantive argumentation based on the views of other authors and formulate conclusions (K_U06).

Assessment criteria

The grade is based on participation in lectures, activity in seminars and independent work. During the semester, each student must prepare and presentation (15-20 min) on a freely chosen topic. The topics are introduced in the first lectures.

Bibliography

https://news.err.ee/
https://www.summatavet.ee/en
https://disainikeskus.ee/en
https://www.eestijuured.ee/en/avaleht
https://estonianworld.com/
https://eis.ee/en/?context=ettevote-eestis
https://estinst.ee/en/about-us/estonian-institute/
https://www.emic.ee/eng
https://www.musicestonia.eu/en
https://filmi.ee/en/
https://cca.ee/en
https://www.stat.ee/en
https://kumu.ekm.ee/en/
https://www.folklore.ee/folklore/vol6/ruutel.htm
https://www.awn.com/animationworld/interview-priit-p-rn
https://filmi.ee/tegijale/kaastootmine-eestiga/estonian-animation/
https://www.estlit.ee/
https://raamatuaasta.ee/en
https://stat.ee/nimed/

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3320-KKKE-OG in USOSweb