Paper short abstract:

My aim is to outline some processes characteristical to the Estonian ritual year during the 20th and early 21st century, and to examine what happens to calendar practices in interaction with new cultural practices.

Paper long abstract:

During the late 19th century and early 20th century, the structure of

feasts in Estonia profoundly changed due to modernization and

urbanization. Major changes took place in structure of state and national

feasts, the importance of church feasts constantly decreased under the

influence of secularizised society. In the early 20th century many new

feasts (Mothers day, Labour Day) were invented.

My aim is to outline some processes characteristical to the Estonian

ritual year during the 20th and early 21st century, and to examine what

happens to calendar practices in interaction with new cultural practices.

First, I will present the calendar system and the most popular feasts, the

various layers and celebrations of the calendar system after the second

world war, under Soviet rule. Secondly, a general description of the

tendecies connected with ritual year during the re-established Estonian

Republic is demonstrated.

In my opinion, two independent dynamic models of collective behaviour

operate in the cultural space: the linear model, which helps to create and

inscribe into the society (state-supported) new festivities, and the

nonlinear model, which continues (at the level of family and social

networks) the practice of earlier traditions and values. Specific personal

behavioural strategies vary and, at least in the case of festivities and

celebrations, we see a fusion of two behavioural models and choices.