Estonia-Swedes:
A Diaspora with Roots
International Interdisciplinary Conference
18–20 March 2026
Estonian National Museum
18 March
11.00–12.30 Greetings, practical announcements, plenary session
Plenary session by Jörgen Hedman. The Swedes in Estonia
12.30–13.15 Lunch break
I 13.15–14.45
Session chair Anu Järs
Margareta Hammerman. The Evacuation of the Estonia-Swedes during World War II
Josefine Sjöberg, Ann-Catrin Östman. Refugees within the Russian Empire? Estonia-Swedes as Irregular Migrants in the Finnish Archipelago ca. 1810–1840
Glenn Kranking. “60 Bloody Letters”: Elmar Nyman’s Collection of News from Estonia’s Swedish Community in the Early Nazi Occupation
14.45–15.00 Coffee break
II 15.00–16.30
Session chair Sofia Joons
Ivar Rüütli. Ten Years of the Estonian-Language Eibofolke: Memories of Translation
Christopher Thiele. Recent Svenska odlingens vänner (SOV) projects enabled by Våra Anor
Anu Pink, Maret Tamjärv. The Folk Costumes of the Estonia-Swedes: The Editors’ View of the Book’s Origin Story
16.30 Opening of the exhibition “Five Brides” in the foyer in front of the exhibition “Estonia-Swedes: A Diaspora with Roots”
19 March
III 10.00–11.30
Session chair Terje Anepaio
Sofia Joons. Song-Collectors from Near and Far: A Comparison of Insiders’ and Outsiders’ Perspectives on Estonia-Swedish Music Culture
Kristel Rattus. Estonia-Swedish Identity in Biographical Interviews
Reeli Reinaus, Piret Põldver. Collecting and Researching Place-Lore on Ruhnu Island
11.30–11.45 Coffee break
IV 11.45–12.45
Session chair Anna Liisa Regensperger
Henry Timusk, Kata Varblane, Elisabeth Hedfors. Vormsi Island, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: An Example of Implementation of Estonia-Swedish Cultural Heritage
12.45–13.30 Lunch break
V 13.30–14.30
Session chair Kristel Rattus
Anna Liisa Regensperger. Education Programs in the Estonia-Swedes’ Exhibition
Elisabeth Hedfors. Lecturing Swedes without any Pre-knowledge about the Estonia-Swedish History: Estonia-Swede Cultural Contacts with Other Ethnic Groups
14.30–14.45 Coffee break
VI 14.45–16.45
Round-table in english. Chair Sofia Joons
One Ethnic Minority, Three Countries: International Cooperation and its Role in Preserving Estonia-Swedish Cultural Heritage
16.45–18.00 Guided tour
18.15 Dinner
20 March
VII 10.00–11.30
Session chair Kristiina Praakli
Eva Liina Asu. An Overview of the RUNSKA Project: Documenting and Promoting Runska, the Endangered Estonia-Swedish Dialect of Ruhnu Island
Eva Liina Asu, Miina Norvik, Karl Pajusalu. The Position of Ruhnu Estonia-Swedish in the Linguistic Contact Area of the Gulf of Riga
Ida Västerdal. Genitive Inflection in the Noarootsi Dialect
11.30–11.45 Coffee break
VIII 11.45–13.45
Session chair Kristiina Piirisild
Tiina Kull. A Glazed Bodice for the Island Bride: Imported Fabrics in the Wedding Traditions of Ruhnu
Edgar Mirjamsdotter. The Aibo Tapestry: Cultural Transmission through Threads
Mariliis Vaks. Research on Estonia-Swedish Wooden Artefacts at the Estonian National Museum
Maria Lindén. The Preservation and Regional Variations in Finland-Swedish Folk Costume
13.45 Lunch break
Concluding remarks