Folk culture

Statistics Estonia’s data show that the people of Estonia love to sing and dance: more than 80,000 Estonian residents are involved in folk culture, with singing in a choir and folk dance being the most popular activities.

Folk culture covers a nation's tangible and intangible cultural heritage and customs. Folk dance, choir singing, brass music and ethnic handicrafts help to preserve traditions. Amateur theatres, folk culture societies and other activities associated with intangible cultural heritage and folk culture sustain the national identity and support intergenerational unity.

Folk culture statistics show:

• how many amateurs and instructors of folk culture there are in Estonia;
• the counties where folk culture activities are the most popular;
• the profile of folk culture amateurs;
• the division of folk culture amateurs by field of activity;
• the number of amateur groups in each county and in Estonia as a whole;
• the number of institutions and organisations providing folk culture activities.

The statistics on folk culture are published by county, the participants' age and sex, and the group’s national background.

It is the responsibility of the state to ensure that our intangible cultural heritage is preserved and traditions survive. Folk culture statistics help to study how cultural traditions fare and develop in Estonia over time. As these data are collected annually, they are also relevant for shaping cultural policies and supporting cultural activities.