Korkeakoulutuksen rooli kulttuurisesti merkittävien käsitöiden tukemisessa Virossa

Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Estonia has progressed enormously, for example in terms of technological development. Today it is a very modern country. Yet, despite the pressures of globalization, crafts form an important aspect of Estonian cultural heritage and national identity. The Department of Estonian Native Crafts of Viljandi Culture Academy (University of Tartu) is devoted to the mission of researching and making visible Estonian craft traditions and to developing them further. This case study focuses on the role of this unique institution of higher education in sustaining culturally significant crafts. Participatory observation was used during several short visits between 2012 and 2015, and the teachers and former students were interviewed in 2014. The findings suggest that there is a need for similar institutions in other countries. Furthermore, cultural, social and wellbeing aspects deserve attention alongside economic considerations in education and research on crafts.Estonia got its second independence from under the Soviet rule in 1991. For a rather young nation, Estonia has progressed enormously being today a very modern country, for example in terms of technological development. Despite the pressures of the globalising processes, the Estonians have not wanted to lose their own cultural roots; various forms of crafts, and especially textiles, form an important aspect of the Estonian cultural heritage and identity. This is sustained both informally by hobby craft making and formally through educational efforts. The Department of Estonian Native Crafts of Viljandi Culture Academy (University of Tartu) is devoted to the mission of researching and making visible the Estonian craft traditions and to developing them further. This study focuses on the role of this special kind of higher education in sustaining the culturally significant designs, products and practices. The data was produced along participatory research which took place during several short periods between 2012 and 2015. To get an in-depth picture of the experiences of this form of education, the teachers and former students representing different spheres of the study programme were interviewed. The findings reveal the professional paths of these craft persons and their perspectives of the future of culturally significant crafts in Estonia.Peer reviewe