With the Finno-Ugric literary café and lectures, we wish to highlight cultural peculiarities (through the lectures) and point out the differences in languages and cultures in practice (through the literary club). Our starting point is the principle of language decolonisation, the equality of languages. Different methods have been applied in the course of the project, from traditional open lectures to the literary club developed at the literary museum.
Lectures in different languages are given by the museum’s cultural experts and folklorists, as well as by invited specialists from other institutions and countries. The lectures introduce the characteristics of different cultures, such as differences in vernacular perceptions, linguistic worldviews, religion, celebration of feast days and holidays, and folklore.
Finno-Ugric Literary Café
Launched in April 2023, the project involves monthly meetings of the Finno-Ugric literary café. The event invites specialists to discuss the origins of literary works, issues related to translation, and difficulties encountered in comprehending and interpreting the texts. Professional translators are also invited to compare different translations of literary works and address the practical challenges in translating fiction. The idea of the literary café is that languages are explored through different senses, with the same literary work resonating differently in each language. Participants are given the chance to “taste” a foreign language by speaking it, as each language manifests itself in its uniqueness. Each event of the Finno-Ugric literary café focuses on one Finno-Ugric literary work and its translations into other languages. The meetings take place in a relaxed atmosphere over tea, coffee, and pastries of the respective nationality.
More information: Nikolay Kuznetsov nikolay.kuznetsov@folklore.ee, Sergei Troitskii sergei.troitskii@folklore.ee
