Peipsiääre Municipality Celebrates Baltic Sea Cultural Pearl Title on Estonian Independence Day

On February 24, Estonia’s most significant national day, the Estonian Independence Day, the prestigious Baltic Sea Cultural Pearl title will be awarded for the first time in Estonia. The recipient of this recognition is Peipsiääre Rural Municipality.

The celebratory event will take place in the municipality centre Alatskivi, beginning with a parade and continuing with a folk festival in the courtyard of Alatskivi School. The title will be officially presented to Piibe Koemets, Mayor of Peipsiääre Rural Municipality, by Felix Schartner-Giertta, representative of the lead partner of the BSR Cultural Pearls project, the Council of the Baltic Sea States.

As the holder of the Baltic Sea Cultural Pearl title for the year, Peipsiääre Rural Municipality will be able to implement various cultural and community-building initiatives. Project leader Liis Lainemäe highlights the significance of this title: “It represents a plan and ideas that we will bring to life together in the coming year.  Most of these activities will focus on preserving and promoting the uniqueKodavere cultural heritage.”

Among the key initiatives planned for the year are the Kodavere heritage camp, the P.Õ.N.E.V. youth camp in Vara, and the first-ever two-day hackathon for young people themed “How to Become (Culturally) Wealthy in Your Hometown?” The community will also be engaged through events such as the Living in the Countryside Day (held this year in Kallaste, the smallest town in Estonia ), the Onion Route buffet days, and the Jar Festival. Additionally, efforts are underway to bring Kodavere-language news to the Estonian National Broadcasting Service.

Peipsiääre Municipality, situated along the shores of Lake Peipus, is a culturally diverse region and consists of several small villages. Like many rural and remote areas, it faces population decline and youth emigration challenges. While the region is rich in natural and cultural attractions, there is a need to strengthen cohesion among its diverse communities. The municipality’s strategic plan to address these issues has earned it the well-deserved title of Baltic Sea Cultural Pearl.