Rannarootslased. Estlandssvenskar. Estonia Swedes
Those who came ashore and became rooted
Open from 25 May 2025
According to written sources, Swedish-speaking people have lived on Estonian islands and North-Western coast at least since the 13th century or even earlier. Estonians named them 'coastal Swedes'. World War II pushed the coastal Swedes to two sides of the Baltic Sea. Today, they no longer live in their historic settlements, but the places – farms, churches and place names – remain. Many of them have been restored either by new settlers or by descendants of former inhabitants. The culture that was "moved to Sweden" because of the war is rediscovered, and community days and song festivals are held.
The exhibition "Rannarootslased. Estlandssvenskar. Estonia Swedes" presents the traditional material and spiritual culture of the Coastal Swedes and the development of Estonian Swedish culture from the 20th century to the present day. What characterised the life of the Swedish-speaking cultural minority in Estonia? Unusual dialects and traditional food, different utensils? Freedom to travel, to sail across the sea? A sense of community and common law? What did the disruption caused by the Second World War bring? How did people adapt to new circumstances, and what helped them to remember their roots? What are the signs of belonging to the Estonia Swedes today?
Partners and Supporters: Eesti Meremuuseum, Rannarootsi Muuseum, Eestirootslaste Kultuuriomavalitsus, The Estonian-Swedish Cultural Association SOV.
