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A Brief Lesson on Estonian Culture(2025–2026)
October 31, 20251 Season · 16 Episodes
Ended
Documentary
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Network Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR)
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2025
How did we get from the first opera to Arvo Pärt and espresso macchiato? Or from Michel Sittow in handcuffs to a naksitrall? This is answered by Priit and Märt Pius' new series, in the first episode of which the brothers learn to make scallop ceramics and eat jurssi. Mari Kalkun, Anna Hints, Kirke Kangro, Aivar Kriiska, Aimar Ventsel and many others will be passing through.
The Middle Ages were a strange time - you wouldn't want to be there without antibiotics. Juhan Kilumets, Marju Kõivupuu, Valdur Mikita, Jane Vabarna and many others tell hosts Priit and Märt Pius how culture was made there.
In the third part of the new series, brothers Priit and Märt Pius continue their journey through the Estonian Middle Ages. Among other things, they have to brew beer, release parrots, and find out why the lions painted by artists of the time look so strange. They are helped by Marko Mäetamm, Kaido Ole, Lisell and Robin Jäätma, Boris Dubovik, and many others.
In the fourth part of the culture series, brothers Priit and Märt Pius have their hands full. They have to listen to the first opera performed in Estonia, print a gift for the wife's family in the style of Martin Luther, let out their poetic horse and sit in the University of Tartu's courtyard. Elina Nechayeva, Wimberg, Ken Ird and many others will help.
The Germans had spiritual interests. But how did they take care of their bodies? And what kind of life did simple Estonians live at the same time? In the fifth part, brothers Priit and Märt Pius explore manor life. For example, Nikolai Novosjolev teaches fencing, Liis Burk teaches knitting, and Mati Laur reveals how people had sex back then.
In the 18th century, wonderful discoveries were made - among other things, the guillotine, the steam engine and sparkling water were invented. The industrial revolution began and serfdom began to disappear. This time, Priit and Märt Pius will be helped in their cultural research by Roosmarii Kurvits, Fred Puss, Oliver Orro, Indrek Tarand and many others. Even a plow horse!
When the national movement began to take shape in Estonia, Estonians did not grab a gun, but a more fearsome weapon - a trumpet! Hosts Priit and Märt Pius will be helped by Jürgen Rooste, Rasmus Puur, Indrek Laul, Kadi Polli and many others to navigate the wake-up time.
By the second half of the 19th century, Estonians, who had traditionally had a slow start, had gained momentum in the wave of nationalist movements. Tiit Lääne, Andrei Nazarov, Aivar Jürgenson, Ene Lukka-Jegikjan and many others help presenters Priit and Märt Pius learn about the life of the time.
The thread of thought of our series was interrupted last season at the end of the 19th century. Song festivals were born and societies were formed, Estonians became not only farmers but also artists, scientists and writers. The hosts Märt and Priit Piusi, Andrus Kivirähk, Aapo Pukk, Anneli Saro, Tristan Priimägi and others will guide us through the new era.
The souls of Estonian cultural figures of the early 20th century yearned for Paris. Märt Pius follows in the footsteps of Konrad Mägi and other writers and artists there. Priit Pius, however, investigates what was happening in his homeland at the same time. He is helped by Elmo Nüganen, Mart Sander, Enn and Helga Nõu and others
The Soviet occupation did not mean that cultural life came to a standstill. Mart Kalm, Ilmar Raag, Riina Roose, Lembit Saarsalu, Leelo Tungal, and others guide hosts Märt and Priit Pius through the beginning of this complex era.
The Soviet era encompassed both the hope-filled Khrushchev Thaw and the stagnation brought about by Brezhnev. Hosts Märt and Priit Pius explored how cultural life functioned during that time in conversations with Peeter Simm, Hannes Kaljujärv, David Vseviov, and Rein Rannap.
Although much of the 1980s was spent standing in lines at shops, culture was being created too! And freedom was slowly coming into view. In this episode, hosts Märt and Priit Pius meet with Tõnu Kaljuste, Aku Louhimies, Maarja Undusk, Priit Pärn, Vladislav Koržets, Kai Saar, and Anne Veski, among others.
The early years of independent Estonia were difficult on the one hand, yet wild on the other. Juku-Kalle Raid, Ando Kiviberg, Sandra Sillamaa, Rasmus Merivoo, Jaan Toomik, Erki Nool, Koit Toome, Tiina Lokk, and others dissect the ups and downs of that era. The show is hosted by Märt and Priit Pius.
In the 2000s, interest in folk culture grew, while at the same time we were becoming increasingly international. Priit and Märt Pius’s historical memory is refreshed by Metsatöll and Von Bomb, Hans H. Luik, Ene-Margit Tiit, Gert Raudsep, Rasmus Kaljujärv, and others.
In the final episode of the series, Priit and Märt Pius take a look at the present day, meet Hans Christian Aavik as well as Hendrik Toompere Jr. and Olari Elts, puzzle over modern words, and head to the Song Festival.
Märt Pius
Self
Priit Pius
Self
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