Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture – Setomaa, Obinitsa 2015

Setomaa

• Divided between Russia and Estonia

• 12 000 Setos, 2000 of them living in Setomaa

• Seto singing has been entered into the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Obinitsa has been more then 20 years one of the leaders of Finno-Ugric movement

Where we are right now

• Until end of August more then 50 events

• 20 000 participants• Involved also other villages

in Setomaa, not only Obinitsa

• Cross-border (Estonia/Russia) activities

• Cooperation with other Finno-Ugric peoples throughout the year

Both sides in Setomaa – in Estonia and in Russia

Strong focus on communication• www.obinitsa.net in EST, ENG, RUS• www.setomaa.postimees.ee – special site in Estonian main daily (90

news until Sept 2015)• Facebook sites in EST, RUS, for ENG using Cultural Capital general FB• http://etv.err.ee/l/kultuurisaated/seto_kuningriik, 20 video stories in

Estonian National Television• Videos about all events in obinitsa.net and Youtube• www.setomaa.ee, www.visitsetomaa.ee• Special seto evening in Estonian National television• LIVE – stream of main event, Seto Kingdom Day thru

www.postimees.ee• Many news in media in Estonia, as well in finno-ugric countries sites

as well

Estonian president Toomas Hendrik Ilves participated the opening event;Regionaalmaasika – award, supporting regional development in Estonia

Supporting Finno-Ugric cooperation

• Every month participants from 1-2 Finno-Ugric countries visited Setomaa

• Has given indigenous Finno-Ugric peoples motivation and strength to keep and develop their own culture

Main event: Seto Kingdom Day

During Seto Kingdom Day Finno-Ugric peoples had:

• special stage for concerts

• their own “embassies” to introduce their culture

• Finno-Ugric procession as a part of Seto Kingdom Day program

Team, who did it

• Core team from Obinitsa village

• Involved active people from other villages as well to organize events in their villages

• Mostly volunteers

Be part of Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture 2015 activities: www.obinitsa.net