Finno-Ugric Wheel Brought Together Culture and Traditions of Different Peoples
On May 16, 2026, the cultural event "Soome-ugri ratas 2026" took place in Narva near the MotoNurk motorcycle museum, introducing the public to the songs, dances, folk games, crafts and culinary traditions of the Finno-Ugric peoples. The six-hour program took place on the historic Gloria bastion, between the MotoNurk museum and the Narva Art Gallery, and was part of the nationwide Museum Night celebration.
The event's purpose was to show that Virumaa's folk culture belongs to a broader Finno-Ugric cultural space, whose peoples are united by historical roots, traditions and ways of cultural expression. We also wanted to provide people with the opportunity to not only watch and listen to folk culture but to actively participate in it.
Different Finno-Ugric cultures met on one stage
The cultural program featured the Udmurt cultural society Ošmes from Tallinn and Narva collectives Maaväci, Tuuleluule and Suprjadki. Additionally, Finnish bard Aleksei Ülle performed his original songs.
Ošmes introduced Udmurt songs, folk games and engaging traditional dances. The performances of the Ingeria House collectives provided an opportunity to learn about the musical heritage of Izhorians, Votes and Ingrian Finns. The performers were not limited to just the stage program but involved the audience in the activities. Thus, songs, dances and games became a living shared experience.
A total of 20 performers and activity leaders participated in the program and workshops, along with the evening host and Aleksei Ülle.
Folk culture could be felt with your own hands
An important part of "Soome-ugri ratas" was the participatory program. Ošmes conducted a workshop on preparing traditional Udmurt food, while Ingeria House organized a folk crafts workshop. The Pereklubi creative center coordinated the children's program and conducted creative activities for children.
Workshop participants were able to learn about traditional skills and their significance. This direct experience helps folk culture remain in living use and gives children and young people the opportunity to discover their ancestors' cultural heritage in an understandable and interesting way.
The "Soome-ugri ratas" program ran parallel to the MotoNurk Museum Night program. A flea market and crafts fair was organized in close proximity to the program, with traditional craftspeople participating. Vintage vehicles from various parts of Estonia were also on display, and MotoNurk offered children free trampoline attractions. All activities formed a unified whole and created a very friendly and pleasant atmosphere at the event.
The event brought together people from different regions and language communities
The MotoNurk Museum Night program was visited by over 600 people during the day. This exceeded the initially predicted limit of 450-550 visitors.
The event brought together local residents, primarily Russian-speaking, and families from across Estonia, mostly Estonian-speaking, who came with vintage vehicles. A shared interest in cultural heritage, folk traditions and vintage technology helped create an environment where people with different language and cultural backgrounds could spend time together and communicate with each other.
The increase in visitor numbers was also aided by the free bus organized by the MotoNurk museum, which ran between Narva, Narva-Jõesuu, Sinimäe and Sillamäe. Thanks to this, people who would otherwise have had difficulty getting to Narva were able to participate in the event.
Guests who participated in the program had the opportunity to visit the historic Kreenholm Manufactory. This connected the presentation of folk culture with Narva's industrial and cultural heritage and allowed guests to discover the city's history more broadly.
Cooperation provides the foundation for continuing the tradition
"Soome-ugri ratas 2026" was realized through the cooperation of MotoNurk, the Udmurt Association Ošmes, Ingeria House and the Pereklubi creative center. Eight volunteers also contributed to organizing the event.
We thank all the performers, workshop leaders, partners, volunteers and visitors who made this day special. Public interest and partners' desire to continue cooperating show that "Soome-ugri ratas" has the potential to become a traditional cultural event at MotoNurk and to grow even more diverse in the future.
The project helped strengthen the visibility of Finno-Ugric folk culture in Virumaa, expand the circle of cultural activity participants and bring different generations closer to living cultural heritage.
The project "Soome-ugri ratas 2026" was supported by the Estonian Centre for Folk Culture from the "Support for Virumaa Folk Culture 2026" application round, the City of Narva and the Local Initiative Programme.
BACKThe event's purpose was to show that Virumaa's folk culture belongs to a broader Finno-Ugric cultural space, whose peoples are united by historical roots, traditions and ways of cultural expression. We also wanted to provide people with the opportunity to not only watch and listen to folk culture but to actively participate in it.
Different Finno-Ugric cultures met on one stage
The cultural program featured the Udmurt cultural society Ošmes from Tallinn and Narva collectives Maaväci, Tuuleluule and Suprjadki. Additionally, Finnish bard Aleksei Ülle performed his original songs.
Ošmes introduced Udmurt songs, folk games and engaging traditional dances. The performances of the Ingeria House collectives provided an opportunity to learn about the musical heritage of Izhorians, Votes and Ingrian Finns. The performers were not limited to just the stage program but involved the audience in the activities. Thus, songs, dances and games became a living shared experience.
A total of 20 performers and activity leaders participated in the program and workshops, along with the evening host and Aleksei Ülle.
Folk culture could be felt with your own hands
An important part of "Soome-ugri ratas" was the participatory program. Ošmes conducted a workshop on preparing traditional Udmurt food, while Ingeria House organized a folk crafts workshop. The Pereklubi creative center coordinated the children's program and conducted creative activities for children.
Workshop participants were able to learn about traditional skills and their significance. This direct experience helps folk culture remain in living use and gives children and young people the opportunity to discover their ancestors' cultural heritage in an understandable and interesting way.
The "Soome-ugri ratas" program ran parallel to the MotoNurk Museum Night program. A flea market and crafts fair was organized in close proximity to the program, with traditional craftspeople participating. Vintage vehicles from various parts of Estonia were also on display, and MotoNurk offered children free trampoline attractions. All activities formed a unified whole and created a very friendly and pleasant atmosphere at the event.
The event brought together people from different regions and language communities
The MotoNurk Museum Night program was visited by over 600 people during the day. This exceeded the initially predicted limit of 450-550 visitors.
The event brought together local residents, primarily Russian-speaking, and families from across Estonia, mostly Estonian-speaking, who came with vintage vehicles. A shared interest in cultural heritage, folk traditions and vintage technology helped create an environment where people with different language and cultural backgrounds could spend time together and communicate with each other.
The increase in visitor numbers was also aided by the free bus organized by the MotoNurk museum, which ran between Narva, Narva-Jõesuu, Sinimäe and Sillamäe. Thanks to this, people who would otherwise have had difficulty getting to Narva were able to participate in the event.
Guests who participated in the program had the opportunity to visit the historic Kreenholm Manufactory. This connected the presentation of folk culture with Narva's industrial and cultural heritage and allowed guests to discover the city's history more broadly.
Cooperation provides the foundation for continuing the tradition
"Soome-ugri ratas 2026" was realized through the cooperation of MotoNurk, the Udmurt Association Ošmes, Ingeria House and the Pereklubi creative center. Eight volunteers also contributed to organizing the event.
We thank all the performers, workshop leaders, partners, volunteers and visitors who made this day special. Public interest and partners' desire to continue cooperating show that "Soome-ugri ratas" has the potential to become a traditional cultural event at MotoNurk and to grow even more diverse in the future.
The project helped strengthen the visibility of Finno-Ugric folk culture in Virumaa, expand the circle of cultural activity participants and bring different generations closer to living cultural heritage.
The project "Soome-ugri ratas 2026" was supported by the Estonian Centre for Folk Culture from the "Support for Virumaa Folk Culture 2026" application round, the City of Narva and the Local Initiative Programme.