Cultural groups to hold congress at Estonia Concert Hall

More than 30 cultural organisations will gather for a congress at Estonia Concert Hall on November 29, organised by Kultuuritahe, an association of creative unions and cultural organisations, ERR reports. President Ülle Madise will open the event.

Speakers will include composer and essayist Jüri Reinvere, Estonian Art Museum director general Sirje Helme, writer and translator Rein Raud, author Lilli Luuk, Estonian Theatre Union chair and actor Gert Raudsep, and film directors Veiko Õunpuu, Anna Hints and Tõnis Pill. Other speakers include artists Kaido Ole and Sigrid Viir, actor Evelin Võigemast, Estonian Film Institute head Edith Sepp, ERSO board member Kristjan Hallik, PÖFF festival director Tiina Lokk, Actors’ Union board chair Reimo Sagor and economist Helery Tasane.

Representatives of political parties will present short speeches outlining their cultural visions. They are Heidy Purga of the Reform Party, Martin Helme of the Conservative People’s Party of Estonia, Urmas Reinsalu of Isamaa, Jonatan Vseviov of the Social Democratic Party, Mihhail Kõlvart of the Centre Party, Kristina Kallas of Estonia 200 and Lavly Perling of the Right-wingers.

The party representatives’ plans will be commented on by Sirp editor-in-chief Kaarel Tarand, film director and screenwriter Martti Helde, Association of Cultural Institutions chief executive Kadi-Ell Tähiste, director and dramaturge Priit Põldma, Estonian Writers’ Union chair Maarja Kangro and Estonian Drama Theatre artistic director Hendrik Toompere Jr.

“We want culture to be strongly in focus in the coming elections,” Raudsep said. He added that creative work is work and should be treated as such in the tax system and legislation, warning that if cultural workers can no longer make ends meet, audiences could lose what they take for granted.

Congress organiser and cultural entrepreneur Helen Sildna said the event would mark a new chapter for the cultural sector, focused on working together and looking to the future. She said cultural policy and the tax and economic environment should support the sector’s ambitions and development, and called for systematic change.

Kultuuritahe was founded in summer 2026 as a joint initiative for Estonia’s cultural sector. It brings together creative unions, cultural institutions, event organisers and cultural businesses, with more than 30 organisations in the association.