South Estonia: A Versatile Community of Modern Economy and Cultural Heritage
EIT Culture & Creativity North visited Southern Estonia at the end of January, participating in the sTARTUp Day event. The region hosts not only a vibrant scene of Baltic cultural heritage but also serves as a platform for building a thriving, future-oriented economy. The city of Tartu and its University play an essential role in fostering innovation and networking, for example, during the sTARTUp Day business fair.
University of Tartu
Tartu is well-known for its university, established in 1632, making it one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. It is the only Estonian-language universitas in the world, a multidisciplinary institution, and the leading research university in Estonia.
The university, an active core partner of EIT Culture & Creativity, is located in the heart of the city’s historic center, which dates back to medieval times. With a population of around 100,000, Tartu is home to 12,000 university students who play a significant role in energizing the city. While the University is old by Northern European standards, its forward-thinking approach is evident, particularly in the opportunities it provides students to prepare for the life after graduation. For example, the Viljandi Culture Academy, a branch of the University located in the neighboring town, offers a range of training and courses for cultural professionals, focusing on practical work skills and entrepreneurship.
Rich Cultural Scene
Tartu boasts a vibrant cultural scene, ranging from museums and art to sports. The city is home to the Eesti Rahva Muuseum (Estonian National Museum), a magnificent and modern museum center. In addition to its primary mission of preserving and exhibiting Estonian culture and history, the museum hosts numerous social events, and its shop showcases both traditional and modern local handicrafts. In Estonia, handicraft skills are well-preserved compared to many other nations, and traditional textiles and jewelry are highly valued, often integrated into contemporary design aesthetics.
Sauna culture, central to Fenno-Ugric traditions, is also an important part of Southern Estonia’s heritage. While sauna culture is booming in Estonia and Finland, the concept of the sauna as a source of well-being is attracting global attention. Smoke Sauna Sisterhood, a documentary by Tartu-based director Anna Hints, tells the story of women sharing their hearts in the intimate space of a smoke sauna. The film has won several awards at international film festivals in the last two years. Additionally, the Võromaa smoke sauna was recently added to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Tartu region has long been a center for Estonian sports, with Otepää being internationally known for its cross-country skiing competitions and facilities.
The region is rich in ethnic culture and is home to its own language, Võro-Seto, or South Estonian. While standard Estonian is derived from Northern Estonian, Võro-Seto remains a language spoken in Southern Estonia. The region is also home to the Seto people, an ethnic minority of about 10,000, known for their vibrant culture. One of their most unique traditions is Seto leelo, a polyphonic folk singing style that, like the smoke sauna, was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2009.
A Strong Creative Community
Though South Estonia and Tartu are relatively remote regions on the North-Eastern border of the EU, they are home to an energetic community of business developers, artists, creatives, and producers. Tartu was the European Capital of Culture in 2024, and the Tartu Centre for Creative Industries has supported creative professionals in building their livelihoods and businesses for more than 15 years. The presence of dedicated professionals in the region is crucial for continued development, maintaining international networks, and building insight for the future.
Näeme varsti, Tartu, jätkame head koostööd!
