Paper short abstract:

In my paper I will discuss how different groups and individuals use archived folklore materials in the context of environmental conflict to set their agendas. I will focus on conflict over Paluküla sacred hill, which is one of the most longest and most disputed environmental conflicts in Estonia.

Paper long abstract:

My paper is based on the on-going doctoral research dealing with ideological usages of place-related narratives in the context of environmental conflicts in Estonia. I connect folkloristic and ecosemiotic theories and concepts to consider both cultural and ecological effects of environmental conflicts.

Estonia folklorists have strong tradition to collect place-related folklore and (re)publish archived materials. Folklorists' work has been utilised in modern national mythology that undelines the importance of nature in Estonians' everyday life and the idea of Estonians as 'forest people'. Therefore it is logical that place-lore is also switched in discourses of nature-protection and environmental conflicts.

Different parties of discussion refer to place-lore as a basis of their argumentation and use folklore materials in their communication strategies. However, when folkloristic interpretation become a part of political or formal discourse the meanings and functions of place-lore are shifted, and also original context and agenda of collecting and archiving folklore are often left aside or ignored.

I will give examples from one of the longest and most disputed environmental conflicts in Estonia: conflict concerning the plan to build a ski resort on Paluküla sacred hill in North-Estonia. Illustrative material of my presentation will include earlier archive materials (from 19th and 20th century), reflections from media and interviews with conflict participants.

I will discuss how earlier folklore materials relate to locals' vernacular knowledge and how folklore materials are (de)contextualized during the conflict. Also I will discuss the role of Estonian folklorists (and archaeologists) as interpreters and agents in the conflict.