Minister of Culture Indrek Saar confirmed the beneficiaries of the second round of the grant programme “Estonian Culture Abroad”, with 306 000 euros worth of grants allocated to nearly 50 projects.
Ministry of Culture’s Foreign Relations Department adviser Kristel Üksvärav said that this time the focus is on organising cultural events abroad taking place this autumn and early spring in connection with the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the centenary of the Republic of Estonia. “We felt it was important to support various cultural events in different countries from Canada to Japan, so that the public there could also take part in our wonderful cultural programme and get a sense of the importance of our nation’s birthday and the presidency,” noted Üksvärav.
Among others, the Ministry supported the Estonian Film Institute Foundation in their Estonian film focus programmes in various German cities, including the first ever Estonian film week in Berlin. Other beneficiaries included the Estonian Television’s girls’ choir and their concert in October at the “Shanghai International Arts Festival” in China, the vocal group Estonian Voices and their concerts in China and at the largest North American music industry conference in New York. Support was also granted to the young jazz musician Kirke Karja towards her quartet’s tour of France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg, which will be organised in cooperation with the Estonian cultural attachés abroad.
International Music Day will be celebrated with a concert of the Estonian interpreters on 1 October in England, USA, Germany and Austria. The band Curly Strings will be going on a concert tour of Canada and Japan and participate at the world music showcase festival Womex in Poland. One hundred male dancers and singers from Viru County will participate at the dance performance “Tanssipidot – MIES” in Lapua, Finland, which will also be a celebration of the centenary of Finland.
The Estonian Association of Fashion Designers will open an exhibit entitled “TO BE ESTONIAN” in Kyrgyzstan and Italy to present Estonian ethnic fashion and textiles, and the NGO Õhulaev will open a jewellery exhibit at the Platina gallery in Stockholm and they will also participate at “Schmuck” - a major event for jewellery arts in Munich.
This year the Ministry of Culture has supported programmes within the “Estonian Culture Abroad” programme in the sum of 600 000 euros. The first round of applications for 2018 will be announced in October.
Additional information:
Kristel Üksvärav
Foreign Relations Department adviser
Ministry of Culture
Tel. 628 2249
