The award “Contribution to Estonian National Identity”

“Contribution to Estonian National Identity” 2023

Merle Karusoo

In 2023, the University of Tartu gave the “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” award to stage director Merle Karusoo.

“For 20 years already, the University of Tartu has awarded individuals whose creative work has promoted the national and state identity of Estonians and Estonia. This time, it is a great honour to recognise Merle Karusoo, who has dedicated her life to national memory and remembering. Throughout decades, she has been collecting the memory images of Estonian people, even when people were unwilling to talk about their life stories and even now, when people often prefer to avoid thinking of national identity. Her creative works can be regarded as shaping a completely independent idea of the nation,” said Rector Toomas Asser and added that giving the award to Merle Karusoo adds a new perspective to the interpretation of our national identity.

“Contribution to Estonian National Identity” 2022

Viivi Luik

In 2022, the University of Tartu gave the “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” award to writer Viivi Luik.

"It is a great honour for the university to give the ‘Contribution to Estonian National Identity’ award to Viivi Luik, one of the most beloved writers and poets of our time, whose work has had a great impact on the self-image and self-belief of Estonian people over a long period. Her work has also gained resonance in the European cultural space, telling the free world about the oppressive conditions in Estonia and introducing the rich culture of a small nation. It is impossible to overestimate the significance of Luik's work in restoring Estonians' national vitality. What is also enjoyable is how she managed to tell the story of the nation during those most difficult times in such a way that the censors could not point the finger at anything particular. With her precise and clear words, Viivi Luik helps to keep human values at the forefront also in the current turbulent times," said Rector Toomas Asser.

“Contribution to Estonian National Identity” 2021

Erkki-Sven Tüür

In 2021, the University of Tartu gave the “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” award to composer Erkki-Sven Tüür.

“It is a great honour for the university to hand over the Contribution to Estonian National Identity award to composer Erkki-Sven Tüür, whose influential work touches the hearts of Estonian audiences and has gained wide resonance among the music public of the world. Erkki-Sven Tüür has made Estonia larger than its geographical borders, connecting the Estonian culture with modern world culture,” said Rector of the University of Tartu Toomas Asser when presenting the award. He added that the impact and the idea of Tüür’s activities are well aligned with the function of the national university – to be a link between their home country and the outside world as an Estonian-language international university.

“Contribution to Estonian National Identity” 2020

Lea Tormis

In 2020, the University of Tartu gave the award “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” to theatre researcher and historian, critic and lecturer Lea Tormis.

“By selecting this year’s recipient, the national university makes itself greater, we are once again widening the scope of national thought, the actual semantic field of this concept,” said Rector Toomas Asser in the video greeting on the anniversary of Estonia’s national university. According to the rector, the people who nominated Lea Tormis for the award have aptly said that her “thread” in the Estonian theatre is very bright: it is the culture of thinking of theatre, of creation, of national culture.

“Contribution to Estonian National Identity” 2019

Hando Runnel

In 2019, the University of Tartu gave the award “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” to Hando Runnel. According to Rector of the University of Tartu Toomas Asser, the decision of the award committee was unanimous. Granting the “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” award to Hando Runnel is a telling summary of the first century of Estonia’s national university. By giving this award, the national university confirms that Estonian people and the Estonian language, culture and thought are free. Hando Runnel by his example and with his special contribution helps us remember that the measure of a nation is its people’s internal dignity and values.”