Alumni of Folkloristics and Applied Heritage Studies MA programme
Initially I attended the University of Tartu through a study abroad program in 2015/16 while studying for my Bachelor’s of Interdisciplinarian Studies. During that time I discovered folkloristics and knew I would have to come back in 2017 when the new master’s program opened in English. I am happy to say I am now in the Folkloristics and Applied Heritage program and it is even better then I imagined it would be. I am interested in animal-human relationships, and although it is not the mainstream idea behind the program, my department has supported me and challenged me to push the boundaries of what I want to achieve Denise McKeown (Canada) defended her MA project (Massive Open Online Course MOOC) "Folklore and the vernacular of companion dog cloning" on 24.05.2019 |
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I got my Bachelor’s Diploma in Ethnology at Charles University in Prague. My research topics are related to post-Soviet space (especially Moldova), memory studies, political folklore, contemporary folklore (urban legends, rumours etc.) and relations between folklore and nationalism. I like folk dances and folk songs from Eastern Europe. Kateřina Fuksová (Czech Republic) defended her MA thesis “Memory of Stalinist deportations in Moldova: an analysis of Chisinau memoryscape” on 25.06.2019 |
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I graduated from the Belarusian State University in Cultural Studies. Now I am interested in Jewish studies, especially material heritage, and am looking at old cemeteries from the point of view of identity and memory studies. I like Tartu as it is really a university town: convenient and compact, you can enjoy silence when you need to and find opportunities to have fun. In university life I appreciate the diversity of subjects, freedom in creating curriculum and cordial relations between students and professors. Yuliya Len (Belorussia) defended her MA thesis “Jewish community of Berdychiv and the early Soviet policies” on 24.05.2019 |
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I have a BA in Anthropology from the University of Bologna. I chose this program for its good teaching skills and interdisciplinary approach, due to my broad interests not only in folkloristics and anthropology, but also in different other subjects. I am interested in folk beliefs and narratives, mainly in the contemporary world, as well as in the relationship between folklore, science, modernity, and post-modernity. If you are interested in an academic career, this programme offers you many opportunities to practise your writing skills, take part in conferences and attend lectures by visiting professors: it can be really helpful for you! Michele Tita (Italy) defended his MA thesis “Tarantism: from an Ancient Syndrome to a New Form of Heritage in Southern Italy” on 24.05.2019 |
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My research interests are cultural policy development, heritage finance, cultural tourism and cultural innovation. This programme offers a gateway to continuation of studies at PhD level, while being at the same time centered on practice with loving, caring and super helpful teaching staff
Mohammad Abu Sayed Toyon (Bangladesh) defended his MA thesis "Opportunities and Challenges in promoting culture: empirical study on cultural institutions of Tartu" on 27.08.2019
My research interests are traditional crafts, heritage of craftwork, preservation of crafts and cultural development. In my view, “Folkloristics and Applied Heritage Studies” help us to understand ourselves. We are gaining new pieces of information about our origin, our contemporary life and where our life is heading for. This program is also introducing us to different cultures and societies and giving us the tools to explore them. Faculty is highly skilled and very friendly.
Nurjahan Hadi (Bangladesh) defended her MA thesis "Transformation of a traditional textile craft: A case study of Nakshi Kantha" on 27.08.2019
I obtained a BA in Social Justice and International Cross-Cultural Awareness with a focus on Gender Studies, Diversity, and Cultural Anthropology from the Metropolitan State University of Denver in Colorado and conducted MA studies with the University of Oregon Folklore Program of Eugene in the United States. I have experience working in folklore archives, museums, as a field supervisor and research assistant examining gender dynamics within traditional Okinawan family structures in Japan. I have a strong interest in ethnomusicology and perform with various folk and early music ensembles. My current academic endeavors focus on the diachronic study of spirituality, mysticism, ritual songs, and magic of Japanese and Finno-Ugric traditions, with an emphasis on gender and construction of identity. I am passionate about the conscious engagement with heritage and folklore as a form of empowerment.
Savannah Rivka Powell (USA) defended her MA thesis "Songs for the end of Kyriarchy: Care and repair through critical emancipatory historiography in folk ensembles" on 27.08.2019
My research topic is vernacular journalism in interwar Western Belarus. While studying in Tartu, I have been receiving a lot of help and support from my mentors. Also cold weather is great at keeping me home and studying.
Paulina Vituščanka (Lithuania) defended her MA thesis "Vernacular Belarusian writing in the Eastern provinces of the Second Polish Republic: a case study of narratives from the Lithuanian Central State Archives 368.1.22 and 368.1.49." on 29.06.2020
I graduated the Moscow State University and the Russian State University for the Humanities having backround in philosophy, religious studies and folk beliefs. At the University of Tartu, I am doing my MA thesis about magic practices and magical thinking in contemporary Armenia. For those who interested in folklore, craft and anthropology I really recommend this MA programme!
Amaliya Prtavyan (Russia) defendend her MA thesis "Magic and its Social Context in Contemporary Armenia: From Belief Narratives to Family Relations." on 29. 06.2020
Larissa Leiminger (Germany) defended her MA project (online database and website) "Issues of Access and Context of Archival Folklore Materials: Presenting the Manuscript Collection of the Learned Estonian Society in an Explorative Database." on 24.08.2020
I have an MA in French Philology from the Polar Academy in Saint Petersburg. My research interests include folklore, vernacular religion, and socio-cultural transformations in Inner Asia, especially in Southern Siberia and Northern Mongolia. In the past, I have conducted editorial work at the Tuva Institute of Natural Resources of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Victorina Soyan (Russia) defended her MA thesis "Belief Narratives Relating to the Supernatural in the Nomadic Pastoralist Context of Encounters (on the Social Network Material of a Tyvan-Speaking Group)" on 24.08.2020.
I am from Karbi Anglong district of Assam, India. I have a BA in Sociology from the Hindu College, Delhi University. My MA thesis focuses on funeral practices among Karbis of Northeast India and on re-cremating the dead, in particular. It is really exciting to be in this programme and to learn more about my own culture. The teachers are very kind, resourceful, supportive and patient. Tartu is really beautiful, peaceful and serene, the right space for any aspiring scholars pursuing higher studies.
Theang Teron (India) defended his MA thesis "The Mosera Epics in Karbi Ritual: Documentation and Problem of Textualization." on 24.08.2020
I'm from Hawai'i, USA and obtained my Humanities BA at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Some of my research interests consists of group memory in relation to landscape and food, how food is enacted as a means of political statements and movements, sense of belonging, manifesting and maintaining identity as well as a means of communicating with others, ourselves and the environment. The Folklore and Applied Heritage Studies program is an innovative and exciting program, from the content to the brilliant professors. Tartu is a small though welcoming and active city that it is easy to find oneself having a full schedule of school and other activities.
Nichole Michelle (Pono) Weimer (USA) defended her MA project (photo and sound exhibition) "Culturing Goat Milk: Estonian Goat Milk Farming and Artisanal Made Products." on 24.08.2020