The time has come again to reflect a little more on our roots and origins. To understand who we’ve been and where we’ve come from, but more than that – to understand who we are today because of our roots. In changing and turbulent times, we want something stable to hold on to, something that will remain. Something to give us support and strength, explanations and answers. 

The importance of the Baltica festival is certainly clearer today than it was a few years ago – after all, the unity of the Baltic countries, the need to stick together and to feel a sense of solidarity, is increasingly more discussed in the field of foreign policy and security today. The festival shows that in culture, this has been the case all along. Everyone has something to learn from this. It also helps us see our differences as something that make us richer and more diverse, and perhaps still find new things we have in common. 

Dear friends, 

let’s not forget that the Baltica Folklore Festival is still a festival, after all. The great joy of being together, connecting with neighbours and the power of tradition. A chance to share what we’ve acquired and to learn something new again about the local folklore right next to us. To learn something new about our neighbours and ourselves. To be proud and grateful for our strong roots. To feel the eternal secret threads that connect the Baltic countries. 

I wish you all joy and the excitement of (re)discovery at the 38th Baltica Folklore Festival!

Alar Karis
President of the Republic of Estonia