"Days of Estonian Cinema in Ukraine" are coming to an end!

For us it was not just a cultural event but a symbol of partnership, friendship and mutual respect between our nations. Estonia understands and supports Ukrainians like no other, because Russia has left a bloody trail in its history too – repressions, deportations, the destruction of identity. That is why today we feel deep solidarity and unwavering support from the Estonian people in the military, humanitarian and educational spheres.

The Days of Estonian Cinema in Ukraine highlighted another dimension of this help – the cultural front.

Estonian film directors understand this challenge well. And today they are making films about the war in Ukraine, which shows that the struggle of Ukrainians resonates in the hearts of European artists.

At this year's Days of Estonian Cinema we presented works by renowned directors Elmo Nüganen, Hardi Volmer, Anna Hints and Rainer Sarnet, who have already made their mark on the history of world cinema.

Thank you to everyone who came to the festival's grand opening and helped organise the event and the screenings:

• Estonian Embassy in Kyiv – Ambassador Annely Kolk and Deputy Head of Mission Vahur Soosaar,
• Kultuuriministeerium (the Ministry of Culture of Estonia),
• our Ukrainian partners: the State Film Agency of Ukraine (Head Andrii Osipov), the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation UCF (Dmytro Reshetchykov, Nataliia Kryvda),
• FRESH PRODUCTION GROUP (Oleh Shcherbyna, Yuliia Cherniavska).

At the opening of the Days of Estonian Cinema, the chairman of the Association Volodymyr Palamar stressed in his speech:

"When Russia tries to destroy our identity and erase our culture and our voice in the world, it is culture that becomes the foundation that holds the nation together and makes it stronger. Cinema, music, literature are not just art. They are a weapon that shapes consciousness, tells the truth and counters Russian propaganda."

The Association's Communications Director Inna Hordiienko told how the idea of the festival came about:

"The idea was born a year and a half ago while we were running the project "Meetings with Iconic Estonian Cinema" as part of the Ukrainian Film Club in Estonia, which the Association founded in 2023. In that time we have shown around 30 Ukrainian films. And I am immensely happy that we have this opportunity: to bring warmth to people far from home and to promote Ukrainian cinema. Later we realised how important it is for Ukrainians not only to share their own films but also to integrate into Estonia's cultural space, so that we understand each other better through art." That is how the "Meetings with Iconic Estonian Cinema" came about, to give Ukrainians a deeper insight into Estonian ethnicity, history and culture. After all, our nations share so many pages of the past and, unfortunately, one enemy on the border."

For the "Days of Estonian Cinema in Ukraine", 5 films from different eras that represent Estonian cinema were selected and given Ukrainian subtitles!

• "NIMED MARMORTAHVLIL" – Names in Marble
• "NOVEMBER" – November
• "ELAVAD PILDID" – Living Images
• "1944" – 1944
• "SAVVUSANNA SÕSARAD" – Smoke Sauna Sisterhood

At the press conference held before the opening of the Days of Estonian Cinema in Ukraine at the Kyivinform Press Centre, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Estonia to Ukraine, Annely Kolk, praised the importance of the festival and drew parallels between her country's past and Ukraine's present:

"I lived in Estonia under Soviet occupation, and my father was arrested twice for singing old Estonian songs. It is extremely important to remember your history, your culture and your identity. And one of the best ways to tell the world about it is through films and books. That is why I am very glad that during this festival we can share our history and our culture with Ukrainian audiences. These films will help Ukrainians stay resilient and give them hope and faith in victory, because I am more than sure – it will come very soon!

We also thank every viewer who came to the Zhovten cinema and shared these days with us. Your presence confirms that culture can unite, warm and inspire even in the hardest times.

See the photos from the event via this link. Find yourself in the photos and share them on your pages!

Today is the last day of screenings. If you haven't made it yet, now is the time to join us and dive into the world of Estonian cinema.

• 16:00–17:50 – "1944", directed by Elmo Nüganen
• 18:00–20:00 – SAVVUSANNA SÕSARAD (Smoke Sauna Sisterhood), directed by Anna Hints
• 20:00 – Closing of the film festival

Together we are building a cultural front for victory!

Organiser: Association of Ukrainian Organisations in Estonia

Supported by: the Ministry of Culture of Estonia, the Embassy of Estonia in Ukraine and the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Estonia

Partner: Fresh Production Group and Ukraine's largest winery Koblevo winery

Special thanks to Kyivinform for organising the press conference.