Uudis

On Thursday, 2 July, the international summer school "Traces of the Past and Future Prospects: Minority Language and Cultural Practices in Estonia" began, bringing together 20 students from Poland, Türkiye, Italy and Germany, along with scholars from several European countries. The programme will run until 10 July.

The summer school aims to develop participants' Russian language proficiency at the B2–C1 level while deepening their understanding of Estonian society, culture, and history. The programme also provides opportunities to strengthen interdisciplinary knowledge and intercultural communication skills.

The international learning environment brings together students and researchers from different countries to exchange knowledge, establish new academic connections, and foster cooperation between universities and research institutions across Europe.

According to Sergei Troitskii, senior researcher at the Estonian Literary Museum and the summer school's principal organiser, the programme offers an excellent opportunity to inspire European students of Russian to learn more about Estonia and to consider pursuing their future academic careers here.

"Estonia is a unique country where multiculturalism has long been an integral part of its history and culture, while distinctive ethnic traditions have been carefully preserved. The summer school gives students the opportunity to improve their language skills and intercultural understanding in an authentic academic environment, while building professional connections that will continue long after the programme ends," said Troitskii.

Participation in the project contributes to the development of a new generation of scholars equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to work in multilingual and multicultural academic environments. Such training supports both the participants' professional development and the expansion of international cooperation in research and higher education.

In addition to academic sessions, participants will travel across Estonia, visiting Narva and Sillamäe, as well as the Estonian National Museum, the University of Tartu, and the University of Tartu Library.

The international teaching staff includes Elizaveta Sosnovtseva and Anna Troitskaja from the University of Tartu; Elena Freda Piredda and Valentina Noseda from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (Milan); Elena Kurant from Jagiellonian University; Olga Caspers from Humboldt University; and Sergei Troitskii and Nikolay Kuznetsov from the Estonian Literary Museum.

More information about the summer school is available at:
https://www.folklore.ee/rl/fo/konve/2026/summer_school/

The summer school is organised by the Estonian Literary Museum, Jagiellonian University, the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (Milan), and E-Campus University.