International Congress of Estonian Organizations: Our Collective Memory

4th June 2025
UEKN
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International Congress of Estonian Organizations takes place on July 2nd from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Rävala 3, Tallinn.

Please RSVP HERE >>
by June 22nd.

Program PDF >>

Program

9.00–10.00 Registration and coffee

10.00–10.15 Opening remarks and greetings

– Sirle Sööt, ÜEKN chairperson (Sweden)

– Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna

10.15–11.00 Estonian security

– Director General of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jonatan Vseviov, invited

11.00–12.00 Panel discussion: Development of Estonian national identity and cultural memory in the diaspora

Moderator Piret Noorhani, Chief Archivist, VEMU Estonian Museum Canada

How language, literature, and journalism influence the development of national identity and cultural memory abroad
The impact of the 1944 mass flight and its shared memory on the development and unity of communities abroad
The impact of disinformation on national identity and shared memory, and its deterrence
– Tiina Kirss, Senior Researcher, Estonian Literary Museum
– Janika Kronberg, literary historian; chairperson, Tartu branch of the Estonian Writers’ Union
– Meelis Maripuu, board member, Estonian Memory Institute

12.00–12.15 Overview of discussions at the Global Estonian Networks event on July 1 at Kultuurikatel

– Reet Marten Sehr, moderator of Global Estonian Networks event (Canada)

12.15–13.30 Lunch (on your own)

13.30–13.45 Overview of Estonian societies abroad

– Aho Rebas, Association of Estonians in Sweden representative to EWC

13.45–15.00 Workshops: „The diversity of Estonian communities abroad: what can we learn from each other?“

Communication and information acquisition in Estonian communities abroad
The working environment of Estonian societies abroad
The role of national central organizations in Estonian communities

15.00–16.00 Roundtable discussion: The formation of Estonian identity and cultural memory among Estonian youth abroad

What conditions are needed for young people abroad to form an Estonian identity?
How do you experience and cope with having a dual identity?
How do you, as a young Estonian living abroad, want to connect to Estonian society?

16.00–16.15 Closing remarks

– Maia Linask, chair of the EWC foreign policy committee (USA)

Emcee: Ilona Kolberg, Network of Estonian Organizations in Finland representative to EWC

If you have question, please contact us via uekn.info@gmail.com