Non-Degree / Dates: 10-26 January 2024

As Estonia is one of the Uralic nations, it is the best place to get to know Finno-Ugric cultures! A 6-lecture series on Finno-Ugric Studies provides an overview of the Finno-Ugric nations’ history, culture, and modern developments.

As scientists found out, the Finno-Ugric peoples have inhabited the European continent for around ten thousand years. Mainly, they live in the territory of Estonia, Russia, Finland, and Hungary. How are these countries connected? During the lecture series, we will study how the Hungarians, Finns, Estonians, Sami, Komi, Mansi, and many other Finno-Ugric nations are related to each other, how they settled so far from each other, and what the roots of their origin are. The topics covered by the course include not only the history of the Uralic peoples but also contemporary politics, modern forms of cooperation, and cultural trends. We will have a chance to learn the basics of some Finno-Ugric languages and talk to representatives of organizations working with Finno-Ugric issues (for example, NPO Fenno-Ugria, NGO Komi Cultural Society). 

Anna Kuznetsova leads the workshop. 

The workshop can be taken as an “after-class” course in addition to other courses

Why take this course?

  • Unique opportunity to explore and discuss a range of topics relating to Finno-Ugric peoples and cultures

  • Lectures delivered by currently active researchers and NGO representatives giving a keen insight into the world of Finno-Ugric peoples

  • Interdisciplinary approach ensures a full perspective of historical and contemporary issues

Teacher(s)

Anna Kuznetsova – MA in History and a PhD researcher working on the research on ethnopolitical institutions in Finno-Ugric regions. Anna was also the Head of the Estonian NGO Hõimulõimed and the Board member of the NGO Fenno-Ugria, dealing with developing and promoting Finno-Ugric cultures and cooperation.

David Edwards – Defended his PhD at the University of Glasgow on representations of Estonian identity and external communication and taught courses such as “The Post-Soviet World.”

Timetable

Preliminary program:

10 January 16:00-17.30 Lecture: Origin and history of the Finno-Ugric peoples. Current socio-economic situations and modern political developments in Finno-Ugric regions.
12 January 16:00-17.30 Lecture: Building a Finno-Ugric State: Comparative Historical Introduction to Estonian, Finnish and Hungarian History.
17 January 16:00-17.30 Lecture: Representing Estonian National Identity in the 21st Century.
19 January 16:00-17.30 Lecture: Seminar on Finno-Ugric traditional and modern culture.
24 January 16:00-17.30 Seminar on Komi culture and language.
26 January 16:00-17.30 Meeting with the representatives of NPO Fenno-Ugria.

Participants

The course is open to everyone interested in the topic.

Credit points

Optional: Students will be awarded 1 ECTS for full participation and satisfactory completion of a 2000 word written assignment

Course fee

120 EUR

Register

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"Both professors were amazing, with different approaches and ways of teaching. The course in general was interesting, I learned a lot and at the end the special guest gave us information in more detail about different topics regarding the course. I will recommend continuing this type of courses in the next summer schools"

Ester, Guatemala
Introduction to Estonia and Finno-Ugric Cultures and Nations course (Online edition)

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