The 14th International Finno-Ugric Congress drew attention to the situation of the South Estonian Language

The 14th International Finno-Ugric Congress (Congressus Internationalis Fenno-Ugristarum or CIFU) took place at the University of Tartu from 18–23 August 2025, bringing together nearly 300 participants from 20 different countries. This year’s congress placed significant focus on the situation of the South Estonian languages, resulting in the drafting of an official appeal for the recognition and protection of the South Estonian language.

CIFU is the largest international Finno-Ugric science event, addressing not only Finno-Ugric languages and cultures but also other academic fields such as history, archaeology, folklore, and genetics. The congress included five plenary talks given by leading scholars from Finland, Hungary, Estonia, and Latvia: Kristiina Ross, Jussi Ylikoski, Ágnes Lukács, Eszter Ruttkay-Miklián, and Valts Ernštreits. In addition, there were a general session, a poster session, a roundtable, and a total of 19 different symposia. An overview of the program is available on the CIFU website.

One of the most influential events at this year’s CIFU was the symposium dedicated to South Estonian languages, organized by Tobias Weber (Technical University of Liberec). As a result of the symposium, an official appeal was drafted which was sent to the Parliament of the Republic of Estonia, the government, and the general public, aiming to recognize South Estonian as an independent indigenous regional language. The appeal received more than 100 signatures during the congress week. Read the appeal.

In addition to the scientific program, two formal receptions took place during the congress week: on the evening of 19 August in the White Hall of the University of Tartu Museum, and on the evening of 21 August at the Estonian National Museum (ERM). The first reception was attended by the ambassadors and embassy representatives of Hungary and Finland. At the ERM reception, active Finno-Ugric societies introduced themselves, including Setomaa’s newly appointed ülemsootska (chief elder) Jalmar Vabarna. ERM's Director Laura Kipper and Tartu Deputy Mayor Reno Laidre were also present. The congress program concluded on 23 August with excursions in Tartu and Setomaa. The Finno-Ugric fieldwork exhibition which was opened during the congress will remain on display in the staircase gallery at Jakobi 2 until the end of November.

View the congress gallery

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Finno-Ugric language and culture here and now

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The next, 15th International Finno-Ugric Congress will take place in 2030 at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest.

CIFU 14 was co-funded by the European Union. Enterprise and Innovation Foundation supported the CIFU 14 project with €17,841.01, which was used for organizational and marketing expenses.

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