Finnish Literature Society and Estonian Literary Museum Strengthen Cooperation
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The Finnish Literature Society (SKS) and the Estonian Literary Museum (EKM) are strengthening their long-standing collaboration through a cooperation agreement that promotes research collaboration and professional ties between the two sister institutions.
The agreement, signed in Tartu on 5 May 2026, provides a framework for developing cooperation between the Finnish Literature Society and the Estonian Literary Museum (Eesti Kirjandusmuuseum, EKM). It aims to foster closer interaction between the two institutions and to provide a foundation for future research collaboration. The agreement was signed at the Estonian Literary Museum by SKS Secretary General Kati Mikkola and EKM Director Piret Voolaid.
The agreement facilitates cooperation between SKS and EKM in areas including research collaboration, preparation of research funding applications, organisation of conferences and events, researcher and staff exchanges, and publishing activities. It will strengthen international exchange and mentoring in the fields of folklore studies, ethnology, literary studies and cultural studies, laying the groundwork for future cross-border research projects.
Cooperation between SKS and EKM has a long history dating back to the 19th century. In recent years, the institutions have collaborated on several initiatives, including the FILTER Project (Formulaic intertextuality, thematic networks and poetic variation across regional cultures of Finnic oral poetry), led by Kati Kallio (SKS) and Eetu Mäkelä (University of Helsinki). The project developed new tools and perspectives for studying the extensive traditions of Estonian, Karelian, Ingrian and Finnish oral poetry.
The FILTER project has since given rise to two new research projects:
- IKAKE (2024–2028): Variation of content and form of Finnic oral poetry in relation to linguistic and ethnic histories (PI Kati Kallio, SKS; with Liina Saarlo and Mari Väina from the Estonian Literary Museum).
- OTSO (2026–2030): Oral Poetry and the Layers of Language, Poetics and Local History, a joint research project of the University of Helsinki and SKS (PI Kati Kallio, Eetu Mäkelä, and Riho Grünthal; with Mari Väina, Liina Saarlo, Kaarel Veskis, and Helina Harend from EKM and linguists Karl Pajusalu and Miina Norvik from the University of Tartu).
