On this unique and authentic heritage day (July 27th), stories, skills, and customs from Southern Estonia were shared. The conference and workshops offered knowledge on topics ranging from handicrafts to nature conservation, while the cultural program creatively reinforced these new skills.
Music from accordions, fiddles, and kannel was performed by local musicians, and the Krabi Village Theater entertained with a humorous play in the Võro dialect. Attendees could learn traditional dances and get acquainted with the folk costumes of the Seto, Rõuge, Hargla, Vastseliina and Urvaste parishes. The day concluded with a traditional Võromaa celebration, with music provided by the band Kõhukesed.
The main organiser of the heritage day is the Kangsti Village Society, which honours local traditions as well as innovative and lively ideas. The event is organised in close cooperation with neighbouring villages and community members of all ages. This collective effort best highlights the traditions of ancestors and the values unique to Southern Estonia. The village grounds, adorned with the Võro flag and the distinctive octagram of Vana-Võromaa, warmly welcomed guests from near and far, also ensuring accessibility for participants with mobility impairments.
The heritage day took place on the weekend closest to St. James’s Day, coinciding with the cemetery festival at the Vana-Roosa Cemetery. The cemetery festival has long been an integral part of the region’s identity, connecting Kangsti, Vana-Roosa, and distant villages. In addition to commemorating the departed, it is a significant day for locals to meet their community and neighbours and gather at the Kangsti village grounds.
