18.-20.03.2026
Venue: Estonian National Museum
The Estonia-Swedes are one of the indigenous minorities of Estonia. They are also referred to as Coastal Swedes or, according to the region of settlement, as Runö Swedes, Dagö Swedes, etc. The Swedes have lived on the Estonian coast and islands for centuries, preserving their cultural distinctiveness and dialects. At the same time, they have been involved in cultural exchanges with other ethnic groups in Estonia, as well as with Swedes in Sweden and Finland. The Estonia-Swedes were mainly a rural people, whose main occupations were related to agriculture and the sea. Their culture began to modernise at the end of the 19th century, and by the first decades of the 20th century, an educated class had emerged, with school teachers at its core. The outbreak of the Second World War, evacuations, escapes, mobilisations and deportations brought an abrupt end to Estonian swedish society and culture in their ancestral homeland. Most of the Estonian Swedes returned to their historic homeland Sweden, where a number of their organisations are still active. They are actively engaged in researching the history of their community, preserving memories and celebrating their culture. Estonia-Swedish organisations are also active in Estonia. They are united in the Estonia-Swedish Cultural Government.
This conference is inspired by the exhibition "Rannarootslased. Estlandssvenskar. Estonia-Swedes. A Diasporaa with Roots". Its aim is to provide an opportunity for researchers from different disciplines to present their research on the origins, mobility, heritage and cultural contacts of the Estonia-Swedes. The conference also aims to develop discussion between researchers from different countries, as well as to involve local communities. Papers are invited on the following topics:
- The origins and formation of the Estonia-Swedes in the light of linguistics, archaeology, geography, history and genetic research.
- Cultural contacts of the Estonia-Swedes with other ethnic groups in Estonia, Sweden and Finland.
- The role of environmental conditions in the development of the traditional way of life in the Estonian-Swedish areas.
- The Estonia-Swedes during the Second World War.
- The Estonia-Swedes on both sides of the Iron Curtain during the Cold War.
- The formation and ways of preserving and developing the identity of the Estonia-Swedes.
- Traces of Estonian-Swedish settlement in the consciousness of Estonians: knowledge, stereotypes, attitudes.
- Contributions of Swedish, Finno-Swedish and Estonian researchers to the collection and study of Estonian-Swedish heritage.
The working language of the conference will be English; presentations should last 20 minutes. Poster presentations are also possible. The conference will include a round table with museum staff, representatives of the Estonia-Swedish communities and academic researchers on the themes of collecting in the Estonia-Swedish areas (yesterday, today, tomorrow), community and heritage conservation.
The conference presentations will be recorded and will remain available for future reference.
The organisers will not cover travel, accommodation or catering costs of participants.
- The deadline for submission of abstracts is 1 July 2025. Abstracts should be between 250 and 300 words in length (as a Word file), and should include the presenter's contact details (first and last name, position, workplace and e-mail address). Please send your abstract to: conference@erm.ee
- Deadline for approval of presentations -1 August 2025.
- Registration for the conference opens - 1 September 2025.
- Registration closes - 10 March 2026.
Conference Organising Committee:
Sofia Joons, Research Fellow, University of Tartu
Aivar Jürgenson, Senior Research Fellow, Estonian National Museum
Hele Kiimann, Research Manager, Estonian Maritime Museum
Kristel Rattus, Chief Curator of Exhibitions, Estonian National Museum
Saale Randaru, Programme Manager, Estonian National Museum