8-9 August 2025.

The Opinion Festival - Arvamusfestival

The Opinion Festival is a meeting place for all layers of society, giving a platform for different worldviews with the goal of improving discussion culture and civic education. 

Ljósmyndari
Kristi Sits

Arvamusfestival is free of charge and open to everyone who would like to discuss and tackle issues that matter for all of us. The Opinion Festival is part of the Democracy Festivals Association.

This year’s Nordic area is made possible with the collaboration the Nordic Council of Ministers´ Office in Estonia, Embassy of Denmark in Estonia, Embassy of Finland in Tallinn, Norwegian Embassy in Tallinn, Embassy of Iceland in Helsinki, Estonian Librarians Association and President Kaljulaid Foundation.

In the heart of Estonian summer and the Nordic-Baltic democracy festival season, the city of Paide once again becomes a meeting place for ideas, dialogue and connection. This year, the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Estonia hosts an area called “Shift Happens!” - providing a stage for topics that capture the Nordic-Baltic region’s shared challenges and opportunities. We focus on the themes that reflect the greatest issues of our time – mental well-being and quality of life, sustainable textile use, safeguarding democracy, and young people’s digital behavior.

Friday, August 8

12:00–13:30 “Did You Know That Dementia Can Be Prevented?”, Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia

14:00–15:30 “(Mental)Healthy Manliness”, Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia

15:30–16:00 Opening of the ballot papers exhibition, Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia

16:00–17:30 “Young People and Online Gender-Based Hate: How to Respond and Prevent?”, Embassy of Finland (co-organizers: Embassies of Iceland, Norway, and Denmark, and the President Kaljulaid Foundation)

18:00–19:30 “Buy, Wear, Bin – Who’s to Blame?”, Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia

On Friday, the discussions starting at 12:00, 14:00, and 18:00 will be in English with interpretation into Estonian Sign Language.

Saturday, August 9

12:00–18:30 Ballot papers exhibition, Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia

12:00–13:30 “The Trust Infrastructure: Are Libraries Our Most Overlooked Defense System?”, Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia

14:00–15:30 “Dialogue Session: Are Libraries Our Last Reliable Place?”, Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia and Estonian Librarians’ Association


 

16:00–17:30 “Dialogue Session: Can Nordic-Baltic Cooperation Save Democracy?”, Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia

18:00–19:30 “Young People, the EU, and Geopolitics: Is Democracy Attractive When the World Is Falling Apart?”, Embassy of Denmark

On Saturday, the discussions starting at 12:00 and 16:00 will be in English without interpretation.

Full program: arvamusfestival.ee/kava

Picture of the Opinion Festival

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Events in focus

The world around us has been shifting a lot lately – but what does that really mean? How do changes in mental health, democracy, the environment, or young people’s online behavior affect us? Come listen, reflect, and debate on these topics at our Opinion Festival area “Shift Happens!”. Only together can we make sense of where this “shifting” world is heading – and what we ourselves can do to help it move in a better direction.

Highlights from the programme

The Ballot Paper Exhibition showcasing how this modest yet meaningful object – the ballot paper has shaped democratic societies around the world. On display are 50 historical ballot slips from 1856–2020, offering a unique opportunity to trace the evolution of one of democracy’s most important tools over time. The collection features examples from the Baltic states, the Nordic countries, and many other parts of the world – highlighting how different societies organize and safeguard the electoral process.

 

Panel discussion „Buy, Wear, Bin – Who’s to Blame?“. The focus is on circular fashion, textile waste, and the role of the consumer – are we obstacles or drivers in textile circulation? Fast fashion is filling up our wardrobes and landfills. In the Nordic-Baltic region, clothing consumption and textile waste are closely linked. Why do we buy more than we need? What makes us hold on to clothes or throw them away so quickly? In this discussion, international experts from fashion, academia, psychology, and waste management come together to explore our everyday choices: how do personal style, self-esteem, and emotional attachment to clothing shape our consumption habits. We talk about conscious consumption, the emotional durability of clothing, and how small decisions can spark big change.

Panel discussion: “(Mental) Healthy Manliness”. Men are expected to be strong, independent, and emotionless – but what happens when, deep inside, they experience loneliness, pressure, or anger that they don’t dare to talk about? Although society increasingly discusses women’s rights and limitations, little attention is often paid to how traditional norms of masculinity also restrict men themselves. We will share experiences from Estonia, Finland, and Norway, including examples such as the Ulkokehän Miehet project for men who feel isolated from society.

 

Panel discussion “Did You Know That Dementia Can Be Prevented?”.  Our experts will highlight the risk factors of dementia and provide concrete recommendations on how to support brain health and prevent its onset. The discussion will help to understand that prevention is both possible and necessary – at the level of society, community, and the individual. We will also talk about why it is important to change attitudes towards dementia and to end its stigmatization.

Live stream

Most discussions are held in English, with Estonian sign-language translation available.
Live streams of the discussions are available on our YouTube channel

Norden Estonia on Youtube
This is what it looked like last year

Contact

Contact

Mari Laikre, Adviser for Communication and Outreach Email: mari.laikre@norden.ee Phone: + 372 50 31 273