Peipsiääre Municipality first one awarded the BSR Cultural Pearl 2025 title

The celebratory event took place in the municipality centre Alatskivi, starting with a parade and continuing with a folk festival. The award was officially handed to Ms Piibe Koemets, Mayor of Peipsiääre Rural Municipality, by Kristīne Lipiņa, representative of the BSR Cultural Pearls project partner the Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture.

During the BSR Cultural Pearls title year, Peipsiääre Rural Municipality will be able to implement their Culture and Resilience action plan appreciated by the international jury and focused on engaging local community using the power of culture. 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 unique Kodavere 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.

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