Helsinki

Cultural relations between Estonia and Finland are long-standing, active, and largely self-driven. For more than a century, shared linguistic and cultural roots have connected the two countries, providing continuity and resilience even in difficult historical periods.

Founded in 2017, the Estonian-Finnish Cultural Foundation plays a central role in strengthening bilateral cooperation in culture and the arts. Its activities focus on supporting joint initiatives, developing new collaborations, and promoting cultural export. To date, the foundation has supported over 40 Estonian-Finnish projects with more than €600,000.

Cooperation is wide-ranging and takes place across institutions, festivals, and individual practitioners. Key partners include the Tuglas Society, the Union of Estonian Societies in Finland, and the Finnish Institute in Estonia, alongside numerous cultural organisations and networks. Regular exchange is visible in literature, music, performing arts, visual arts, film, design, and architecture.

In literature, Estonian works are consistently translated into Finnish, while Finnish authors frequently engage with Estonian themes. In music, collaboration spans festivals and organisations such as Music Estonia and Music Finland, Tallinn Music Week and Musiikki x Media; Jazz Estonia ja Jazz Finland, as well as joint performances by leading artists. Film cooperation is equally strong, with shared productions, festival partnerships, and training programmes.

The two countries also collaborate closely within the European Capital of Culture framework. In 2026, Oulu holds the title, featuring a significant presence of Estonian artists and projects. Major cultural events, exhibitions, and performances continue to highlight the strength of this partnership.

Recent examples include international touring exhibitions, theatre and dance co-productions such as Estonian Drama Theatre’s Rahamaa at the Tampere Theatre Festival and Elina Pirinen’s Ghost of Rosegarden at Helsinki Dance House, as well as museum collaborations including the exhibition Peoples of the Northern Forests at the Finnish Hunting Museum and joint exhibition projects between Estonian and Finnish institutions. In 2026, Estonian artist Edith Karlson presents a solo exhibition at Kiasma.

Looking ahead, the coming years offer further strong opportunities for cultural cooperation. The centenary of the first overview exhibition of Estonian art in Helsinki, held at Kunsthalle Helsinki in 1929, is approaching. Shortly after, in 1930-1931, exhibitions of Finnish art were presented in Tallinn and Tartu.

The Estonian cultural calendar in Finland continues to grow. One way to stay informed is to follow the website of the Estonian Embassy and subscribe to its monthly Finnish-language newsletter highlighting Estonian cultural events in Finland.

Information about Estonian cultural events in Finland is also available at virosuomessa.fi and on Facebook at Eesti kultuur Soomes.