Tauno Vahter publishes book on Estonian cultural history

Tauno Vahter’s book “Lühhike öppetus Eesti kultuurist” has been published by Tänapäev, ERR reports. The overview of Estonian cultural history shares its title and authors with an ETV television series.

Vahter said the book surveys Estonian culture from its earliest days to the present. Although many books have been written about Estonian history, he said, none has offered such a comprehensive account of the country’s cultural history.

The book uses a broad definition of culture: how people in a country live and how that changes, including their customs, language and beliefs. It argues that culture is not limited to song festivals, symphony orchestras, plays and novels, but also includes what people eat, wear, believe and say.

Like the television series, the book is playful and humorous. Artist Karel Korp drew more than 300 colourful illustrations for it.