eestlus

Eestlus, or eestlus in Estonian, is a concept describing the shared national identity of the Estonian people. It encompasses the Estonian language, traditional customs, folklore, literature, music and a set of values often associated with simplicity, pragmatism, democratic norms and a close relationship with nature. In cultural and public discourse, eestlus refers to what many consider characteristically Estonian in heritage and everyday life.

Its modern articulation emerged during the Estonian national awakening of the 19th century, when activists emphasized language, education and folk culture as foundations of nationhood under Russian rule. Core elements included the Estonian language (eesti keel), the collection and celebration of folklore, and works such as the national epic Kalevipoeg by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald. The nationwide Song Festival movement, beginning in 1869, also advanced a sense of shared Estonian identity.

During the interwar Republic of Estonia, eestlus helped shape state-building, education policy and cultural life. In the Soviet period, expressions of eestlus were regulated but language preservation and folk traditions persisted as a form of cultural resilience. The late 1980s Singing Revolution and Estonia’s restoration of independence in 1991 renewed emphasis on eestlus as a living heritage in a modern, independent state.

Today, eestlus remains a reference point in cultural policy, education and public discourse. It is often presented as an evolving, inclusive notion that values language, nature, and communal life while adapting to globalization and pluralism. Debates continue about its inclusivity and the balance between national heritage and diverse, non-native identities in contemporary Estonian society.