Past Events
INTRODUCTION TO THE IZHORIAN LANGUAGE
15 November 2025 • 12:00–17:00 • Narva House of Ingria (Vaksali 19)
We invite you to learn about the Izhorian language and culture. No prior knowledge is required.
12:00–13:00 and 13:30–14:30 — presentation on Izhorian history and culture and an introduction to the Lower Luga Izhorian language by Liza Sabolotni.
13:00–13:30 — coffee break with Izhorian pies.
15:00 — Lena Sabinina’s presentation “Keikino Guys: Stories from the Life of the Lower Luga Izhorians Based on My Family’s Materials”.
The event is free, the classes are held in Russian, and no registration is needed.
Facebook event page for this event
Narva has been chosen as the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2025. Follow our upcoming events.
DAYS OF KINDRED PEOPLES IN NARVA
October • Narva
Days of Kindred Peoples will be held in October in Narva, the capital of Finno-Ugric culture in 2025.
The distinctive world of the Finno-Ugric peoples is revealed at the annual Days of Kindred Peoples festival, introducing traditional music, dance, crafts, and cuisine, both in their original form and in modern interpretations. Since 2011, Kindred Peoples' Day has been celebrated in Estonia at the national level on the third Saturday of October. The initiator of the Days of Kindred Peoples is the non-profit organization Fenno-Ugria, which develops ties between Finno-Ugric peoples, supports their culture, education, and science, and promotes the development of Finno-Ugric studies in Estonia.
In 2025, Narva will hold the title of Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture, so this year's festival slogan is "Ida-Viru – Our Ingria." The main program of the Days of Kindred Peoples will take place in Narva, with events also taking place in Tallinn and Tartu. The festival will feature various events featuring artists from the Ingrian, Sami, Mari, Udmurt, Voti, Komi, Erzya, as well as from Finland and Hungary.
The Days of Kindred Peoples are supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Cultural Foundation, the Finno-Ugric Peoples Program, and the Just Transition Fund.
General programme on Fenno-Ugria site (EST) →
FASHION EXHIBITION "HÕIMULÕIM"
October 16 • 17:30 • NART (Narva Art Residency)
You are invited to the opening of the fashion exhibition HÕIMULÕIM (Threads of Kinship), to be held at NART on October 16 at 17:30.
The exhibition HÕIMULÕIM (Threads of Kinship) is dedicated to fashion inspired by Finno-Ugric heritage. Clothing represents one of the richest dowries from the past, yet the vitality of its traditions and practices depends on how successfully they are reimagined for the present, including their appeal to younger generations. Each new interpretation sows seeds whose sprouts carry symbolic meaning, helping to keep heritage alive and enabling the creation of garments enriched with local identity for both today and tomorrow. The works of designers from nine kindred nations unfold stories of layered meanings, ethical choices, and reflections on what it means to be a Finno-Ugric designer. We hope this exhibition inspires you to make space for heritage-inspired fashion in your daily life, for just as vital as preserving tradition is allowing culture to evolve naturally into the future.
Kunstnikud / Artists / Дизайнеры: Antrea Kantakoski, vainio.seitsonen (Johanna Vainio & Merja Seitsonen), Sigrid Kuusk, Ramona Salo, Dina Andreeva, Natalja Lill, Darali Leli, Eneken Johanson, Stella Tukia, Kaia Kuusmann, Zsófia Papp I, Zsófia Papp II, Maria Roosiaas, Hanna-Tiina Pekk, Anneliis Reili, Kertu Kivisik, Nadežda Kasatkina, Lana Vakhovska, Karl Joonas Alamaa, Piret Puppart and Alyona Movko-Mägi.
▶︎ HÕIMULÕIM
Please confirm your attendance by October 14 at mood@artun.ee.
Ingria Day at the Narva House of Ingria
Sunday, 05.10.2025 • 3:00–7:00 PM • Narva, Vaksali 19
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At 15:00, a workshop was held for printing Ingrian patterns on postcards, T-shirts, and tote bags. Participants could bring their own items to print on.
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At 17:00, Ekaterina Kuznetsova gave a short presentation about Ingrians.
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People sang an Ingrian song together, drank tea, and tasted Ingrian pies.
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Thematic films were also shown.
Free entry!
Exhibition “Narva – Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2025” opens on 27 September
Saturday, 27 Sep 2025 • 17:00 • Narva, Stockholm Square (Rüütli 5)
Have you ever wondered why the “Ilmarine” Theatre has this name? Where does the name “Rugodiv” come from? And why are the stone statues found all over Narva shaped like fish? You will find the answers to these and many other questions at the exhibition “Narva – Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2025”, opening on September 27 at Stockholm Square in Narva. Here you will discover how familiar words, symbols, and places conceal ancient and fascinating Finno-Ugric stories. The author of the exhibition texts is Narva 2025 Project Manager Ekaterina Kuznetsova.
The exhibition will be displayed on a series of metal sculptures created by Ukrainian artist Ihor Tkachivskyi. The series of welded metal plate sculptures “The Joy of Being Human” was unveiled at the beginning of September during the Station Narva festival.
Visitors can explore the Finno-Ugric exhibition at Stockholm Square in Narva (Rüütli 5) from September 27 to October 25. The project is supported by the City of Narva, the Estonian Ministry of Culture, and the Estonian Cultural Endowment.
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Narva 2025 and Hancock 2026: Meeting in Tallinn
On 16 September the delegation of Hancock — Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2026 — was in Tallinn on a visit to the Fenno-Ugria Institution. There, an historic meeting took place between representatives of the current and next Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture — Ekaterina Kuznetsova (Narva) and Jim Kurtti (Hancock) — along with the Tsirk bird, the symbol of the Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture programme.
Finno-Ugric Open Forum: A Look to the Future
28.08.25 • 09:00 – 18:00 • Ingeri Maja, Vaksali 19, Narva (3rd floor, seminar room)
Format: on-site or online (Zoom)
On August 28, representatives of various Finno-Ugric peoples across the globe gathered in Narva — the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2025 — to participate in the Finno-Ugric Open Forum. Participants discussed the current situation of Finno-Ugric peoples and their languages, the challenges facing the international Finno-Ugric movement, the changes required for the sustainable development of languages and cultures, and international Finno-Ugric cooperation in the new geopolitical context.
The Finno-Ugric Open Forum took place in Narva House of Ingria. The Forum’s mission was to provide an open space for activists, scholars, cultural workers and everyone interested. It followed the tradition of independence started by the Finno-Ugric Open Congress held in 2016 in Lahti, Finland, after the work of the traditional World Finno-Ugric Congresses was paralysed by attempts of the Russian Federation to silence any criticism of the situation of Finno-Ugric peoples and languages in its territory.
KEY TOPICS
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The current state of Finno-Ugric peoples and their languages.
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Strengths and weaknesses of the Finno-Ugric movement: achievements, problems, challenges.
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Changes required for the sustainable development of languages and cultures.
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Restarting international Finno-Ugric cooperation in the new geopolitical context.
PROGRAMME
09:00–10:00 Registration, welcome coffee
10:00–10:30 Opening of the Forum
10:30–11:00 Panel 1 “Finno-Ugric peoples and languages today: Baltic-Finnic focus”
Moderator: Britt-Kathleen Mere
Speakers: Sofia Johanna Rova; Tuomo Kondie; Ekaterina Kuznetsova; Hipp Saar; Madis Arukask
11:00–11:30 Coffee break
11:30–12:30 Panel 2 “Finno-Ugric peoples and languages today: Permic focus”
Moderator: Bogáta Timár
Speakers: Aleksei Ivanov; Natalia Kovylyaeva;Alex Anisimovs; Lana Pylaeva; Artyom Medvedev (online)
12:30–13:30 Lunch
13:30–14:30 Panel 3 “Political changes needed for the survival and development of languages”
Moderator: Pavel Ivlev
Speakers: Jukka Mallinen; Mitia Laius; Sampsa Holopainen (online); Juku-Kalle Raid
14:30–15:30 Coffee break
15:30–16:30 Panel 4 “International Finno-Ugric movement: today and tomorrow”
Moderator: Kersti Kivirüüt
Speakers: Rune Bjerkli; Oliver Loode; Anti Lillak; Edina Csüllog; Eero Raun (online)
16:30–17:45 Open Mic (on-site + Zoom)
17:45–18:00 Wrap-up and closing remarks
Working language of the Forum is English.
Plant Week at Ingeri House!
Sunday, 06.07.2025 • 13:00 • Narva, Vaksali 19
Free entry
June 6–11, Ingeri House will host a masterclass on the properties of medicinal plants. During the masterclasses, we will gather, study, and learn to use these plants, exploring their healing qualities.
Program highlights:
- Preparation of Finno-Ugric herbal teas: Votic fireweed tea “Irvieinä”, St. Petersburg conifer tea, Saami onion tea, Ingrian “Domovikka” tea, and other herbal teas — we’ll even make Estonian carrot coffee!
- Learning methods of cooking and preparing edible plants. We’ll make Veps-style marinated ground elder, Livonian rowanberry marmalade, and even modern cookies with edible flowers!
Event schedule:
June 6 at 13:00 – Gathering at Ingeri House, discussion on edible and medicinal plants in our region, distribution of informational materials, and creation of a work plan.
June 7–10 at 17:00 – Meetings at Ingeri House: hands-on sessions.
June 11 at 17:00 – Finno-Ugric tea party at Ingeri House – tasting of herbal teas and dishes prepared by the masterclass participants.
INGRIAN & FINNO-UGRIC CRAFTS DAY AT INGRIA HOUSE, NARVA!
Tuesday, 24.06.2025 • 14.00 – 17.00 • Vaksali 19, Narva
Make your Midsummer (Jaanipäev) memorable by exploring traditional folk crafts.
Programme
Schedule
14.00 – 15.30 Decorative drawstring bags printed with wooden blocks. Bring any natural-fabric item or use an Ingria-House T-shirt (€5).
15.30 – 17.00 Finno-Ugric ritual dolls in folk costume, with stories about the customs behind them.
Admission free, no registration required.
JUHANNUS – Midsummer Celebration at Ingeri House
Saturday, 21 June 2025 • 14:00 – 20:00 • Narva, Vaksali 19
Juhannus, the summer solstice, is the most important festival for Ingrian Finns. High bonfires are lit, songs fill the night sky until dawn, wreaths are woven and fortunes told. Historically the feast was known as Ukonjuhla, honouring the sky-god Ukko. Today in Finland, as in Estonia, Midsummer is a public holiday celebrated on the weekend closest to 24 June.
Programme
14:00 – 18:00 Join a unique folk-costume photo session! Try on Ingrian, Votic and Izhorian outfits (women’s, men’s, children’s) from Ingeri House and learn how to dress correctly in a practical workshop.
19:00 Ingeri House and the URALIC Centre invite residents of Narva, Ida-Virumaa and Finno-Ugric culture enthusiasts across Estonia to the proclamation of the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2026 at the “5-kroonine vaade” lookout.
20:00 Festive closing of the evening at Ingeri House.
Admission free, no registration required.
Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/3r6xenYzq
Votic Folk Holiday "MAAENCÄÜZ" at Ingeri House!
Saturday, May 31 • 14:00–18:00 • Narva, Ingeri House (Vaksali 19)
Free entrance, no registration required.
On this day:
— We’ll play music
— Taste traditional food
— Take part in a workshop on Votic folk singing
What kind of day is this?
Maaentšäüz (or maaentšäüzpäivä) is a Votic sacred holiday in the traditional belief system. It was believed that the Earth was born on this day. In Estonia, the day was called Maahingauks.
According to folklore, it is such a holy day that even grass does not grow and birds do not build nests.
Strict bans on work were observed, and people showed respect toward the Earth and nature. It was forbidden to break branches, pick grass, cut down trees, or otherwise harm living nature. The day is also known as Thunder Day.
Come and celebrate the Votic holiday MAAENCÄÜZ with us!
WORLD TREASURE HUNT DAY
INGRIAN CULTURE EVENING AT THE NARVA INGRIA HOUSE
Friday, May 23 • 16:00-19:00 • Narva, Vaksali 19
As May 23rd is World Treasure Hunt Day, we will share the story of a unique 17th-century Votic treasure discovered on September 22, 2009, in the Kingisepp district.
At the beginning of the evening, our special guest Leonid Mikhailov will give a brief presentation of his new book Settlements of Ponarovye.
During the evening, you will also have the chance to try traditional dishes:
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Vepsian fish soup "kalalem",
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Votic rye pies with assorted fillings,
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Votic-Krevinga dessert "apple cheese",
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Votic "irvieinä" tea and Ingrian-style "kohve".
Full meal: €5, individual dish: €2, drinks: €1.
Free entry, no registration required.
This Friday, May 9, we will celebrate Europe Day together in Narva!
13:00–16:00 — Language Café in the foyer of the Narva College of the University of Tartu:
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introduction to the languages and cultures of the peoples of Europe,
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refreshments and contests,
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special guests — Finno-Ugric languages!
This time, the following languages are represented in the Language Café: Estonian, Ingrian-Finnish, Votic, Komi, Livonian, Mari, Finnish, Udmurt, Hungarian, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, French, Swedish and German.
Europe Day is organised by the European Commission and the Language Café is held in cooperation with the European Commission and the Integration Fund.
Mari National Hero Day in Narva
As a part of the Mari National Hero Day, we invite everyone to sports games in Narva, which has recently become the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture of 2025 year. The event will take place on 26.04.25, from 13.00 to 18.00 at the address: Rakvere tn. 22d
The program includes: volleyball, basketball, football, tug-of-war, folk ball, arm wrestling. If you have the opportunity, please bring together volleyballs, basketballs, footballs, jump ropes, and active children's games.
Between the games, you will need to recuperate, so be sure to bring some snacks (sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, juice, yogurt, water, etc.).
Mari National Hero Day (Mari taleshke keche) is one of the most interesting holidays of the Finno-Ugric peoples living in the territory of the Russian Federation. According to a legend, Mari national hero Poltysh (Boltush), a prince of the Malmyzh principality (now the Kirov region), died on this day in 1556.
He is credited with the resounding victory of the Mari in 1524 over the Moscow troops led by Prince Paletsky. Poltysh also participated in battles with the troops of Ivan the Terrible, who conquered Kazan in 1552.
Poltysh won the first battles, but finally superior forces surrounded the fortress and cannons were used. The besieged were waiting for help from other Mari princes, but the food ran out, and the Mari decided to break through. During the battle, Poltysh was mortally wounded, but Mari managed to escape.
This year, the sports games will be held in the memory of Mari activist Yuri Gordeev, who lived and worked in Narva and passed away 5 years ago. Yuri Gordeev was one of the main organizers of the Finno-Ugric Spartakiad Days, which were held annually from 1998 to 2005.
See you in Narva!
The 13th Mikael Agricola Conference
11–12 April 2025
Following the Finnish Language Day, celebrated on 9 April in the memory of the first Finnish Lutheran bishop and Bible translator Mikael Agricola, the 13th international conference dedicated to this outstanding figure and the Finno-Ugric languages and cultures will be held in Narva.
The 13th Mikael Agricola Conference is organised by the Institute of the Estonian Language.
The events will be held in different languages: in addition to Estonian and Russian, English and Finnish will also be heard. Participation is free
LINNUTEE – ROAD OF BIRDS
Exhibition of the Narva Artists Association "Vestervalli"
Jõhvi Concert Hall (Pargi tn 40, 41537 Jõhvi) 05.04 – 30.04
The exhibition is held as a part of the Finno-Ugric Cultural Capital 2025 in Narva and the ethno-futurism festival.
Ethno-futurism is a future-oriented trend in culture that seeks to combine folk traditions and modern culture.
The exhibition "Road of Birds" is dedicated to myths about the origin of the world and the role of mythical creatures in it, and how these images manifest themselves in the work of contemporary artists of different directions.
In Finno-Ugric mythology, as in the myths of many other peoples, the creator of our world is often a bird (swallow, duck, raven, hawk, etc.), and the world emerges from an egg.
The South is the land of birds, the land of warmth and light, and it is contrasted with the North, the land of darkness. These two lands are connected by a great river, and in the sky by the Milky Way, which in the evenings during March-April is directed from north to southwest and becomes the path of migratory birds. It is called the Road of Birds - Lintutie by the Finns, Linnutee by the Estonians. During these months, the Finno-Ugric peoples hold holidays dedicated to the arrival of birds and the expulsion of the Spirit of Cold. The images that are usually contrasted with the land of light are various monsters that embodied the forces of chaos and inhabited the original world ocean. The main idea of the exhibition is to show the connection between ancient myths and the modern world and the revelation of creative powers through the fusion of the ancient worldview and its images with modern artistic interpretations.
Ancient myth-making can be an endless source of inspiration for artists of various directions. In some works, one can observe a direct following of the images of ancient myths and their interpretations, in the others, myth-making on the canvas is born from worldviews of their authors themselves based on the arsenal of their own symbols and images.
We, artists, comprehend life through the comprehension of myths, through our understanding of the fundamental principles of the world and the movement along the path of birds to something cosmic and eternal.
The exhibition tells about nature and the harmony of a person with the world and environment, about the symbols through which one can see it and learn to create one’s own myths.
Etnofuturism Festival “Linnutee” at Narva Youth Center
“Road of Birds”: The two-day festival of ethnofuturism was held on March 27 and 28 in Narva Youth Center. More than 100 Narva schoolchildren were able to learn about traditions, mythology and crafts of Finno-Ugric peoples!
The festival was organised by Narva House of Ingria together with Narva Youth Center as a part of Finno-Ugric Cultural Capital of 2025 in Narva. The participants were able to gain knowledge on environment and on traditional ideas about nature inherent in the cultures of Finno-Ugric peoples.
At the master classes, it was possible to make jewelry using the cold forging technique, decorate fabric using the printing technique with wooden stamps, make a postcard with Finno-Ugric motifs and even make your own tea mixture and learn the beneficial properties of plants growing in our region.
Ethnofutur Festival "Road of Birds” will take place on Saturday, March 22, from 11:00 in Rugodiv Culture Center (Aleksander Puškini tn. 8, Narva)
11:00 "From the Baltic to Baikal" – presentation of the anthology of folk music of the Finno-Ugric peoples from the punk-ethnographic studio "Antonovka Records".
12:00 Ethno-masterclass – painting pictures with Finno-Ugric motifs.
Everyone is welcomed!Participation is free, registration not required. Find out about the punk-ethnographic sound recording project and create your own picture basing on ancient symbols and myths!
IZHORIAN CULTURE DAY AT NARVA INGRIA HOUSE
Saturday 29.03.2025, Narva, Vaksali 19.
The program includes:
15.00-17.00
– A short presentation by Ekaterina Kuznetsova about the traditions of celebrating the "Lark Day" ("Kiurupäivä") among the Izhorians.
– A master class on applying a pattern to fabric using wooden stamps.
– Singing an Izhorian song together.
Participation is free!
17.00-19.00
– Evening of Traditional Izhorian Cuisine.
The menu includes: mushroom cabbage soup “Valaamskiy", traditional Izhorian "lark bread", Izhorian pies with fish "melnichki", blueberry dessert "möllü", as well as Votic Koporye tea "irvieinya" and Ingrian "kokhve".
The hind is 5 euros to try everything, the cost of a separate dish is 2 euros.
Admission is free, registration is not required.
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Ethnofutur Festival "Road of Birds” will take place on Saturday, March 22, from 11:00 in Rugodiv Culture Center (Aleksander Puškini tn. 8, Narva)
11:00 "From the Baltic to Baikal" – presentation of the anthology of folk music of the Finno-Ugric peoples from the punk-ethnographic studio "Antonovka Records".
12:00 Ethno-masterclass – painting pictures with Finno-Ugric motifs.
Everyone is welcomed!Participation is free, registration not required. Find out about the punk-ethnographic sound recording project and create your own picture basing on ancient symbols and myths!
Ethnofutur Festival "Road of Birds” will take place on Saturday, March 22, from 11:00 in Rugodiv Culture Center (Aleksander Puškini tn. 8, Narva)
11:00 "From the Baltic to Baikal" – presentation of the anthology of folk music of the Finno-Ugric peoples from the punk-ethnographic studio "Antonovka Records".
12:00 Ethno-masterclass – painting pictures with Finno-Ugric motifs.
Everyone is welcomed!Participation is free, registration not required. Find out about the punk-ethnographic sound recording project and create your own picture basing on ancient symbols and myths!
Club of Kindred Peoples: Is Alutaguse Western Vadjamaa?
An interesting discussion will take place on March 19 at 17:00 in Narva Town Hall (Raekoja plats 1).
In his presentation, historian Vallo Reimaa will try to answer the question to what extent the ancient Alutaguse, or today's Ida-Virumaa, is historically connected to the Vod people lands beyond the Narva River.
We will discuss similarities with Karelia and Finland, as well as connections with related peoples living east of Estonia.
We will explore the secrets hidden in the burial mounds, sacred places and legends of the Vods, as well as the Catholic period of the Vod land history and the Vod bishop. The story begins with the Viking Age and ends with the foundation of the Kuremäe monastery and the Poluvernki people.
Welcome!
The event is free, no registration required. The language of the event is Estonian, Russian translation is planned.
Organizers:
NGO Fenno-Ugria www.fennougria.ee
Institute of the Estonian www.eki.ee
The event is supported by the Kindred Peoples Program of the Ministry of Education and Research of Estonia and the City of Tallinn.
March 15 – Day of Votian Crafts and Votian Cultural Evening at the House of Ingria (Vaksali 19). And at the same time, we will celebrate the Irish holiday of St. Patrick's Day!
15.00-17.00 – A story about traditional Votian belt weaving techniques and a master class in weaving from woolen threads.
Participation is free, registration is not required.
17.00 -19.00 – "What is more important - cabbage or potatoes?" - an interesting story about the role of these vegetables in Votian and Irish history and culture and an Evening of Traditional Votian and Irish Cuisine. On the menu: Votian fish soup, Irish casserole "Colcannon", traditional soda oatmeal bread and egg butter, as well as Koporye tea "irvieinya" and Ingrian "kohve". The cost of all dishes is 5 euros, the cost of an individual dish is 2 euros.
Admission is free, no registration required.
Opening of the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture in Narva
On March 1, Narva officially became the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2025!
On the opening day, a ceremonial procession took place from the House of Ingria to the Narva Town Hall, where the ceremony of transferring the title and symbol of the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture to the city took place.
The next day, a service in the languages of different Finno-Ugric peoples was held in the Alexander Cathedral of Narva.
See more about the opening of the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture in Narva in our gallery.
10.02 Presentation of the events of Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture Narva 2025
On Monday, February 10, 2025, at 13:00, a presentation of the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture Narva 2025 events will take place at Narva Town Hall, Stockholm Hall.
Speakers at the press conference:
Narva Mayor Katri Raik
Deputy Head of the Narva City Department of Culture for Culture and Sports Dmitri Vergun
Fenno-Ugria Institution Advisor Jaak Prozes
Board Member of Ingerholm OÜ Pavel Ivlev
Initiator of the Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture movement Oliver Loode
Narva 2025 Project Manager, Head of Narva Ingeri House Ekaterina Kuznetsova
The press conference will be moderated by Eero Raun, Project Manager of the Year of Cultural Diversity 2024.
The press conference will be broadcast live on YouTube and Microsoft Teams.