Estonian National Folklore Council

Estonian National Folklore Council is a non-governmental organization, set up on an interdisciplinary basis and acts as the roof-organization for all institutions, which are practically, organizationally and scientifically engaged in folk culture, folk art and the cultural heritage and function in accordance with the aims of the Council - to safeguard, transmit and diffuse of traditional culture.

The Estonian National Folklore Council (ENFC) was founded in 1992. ENFC represent Estonian Republic in the International Council of Organizations for Folklore Festivals and Folk Art (CIOFF - NGO in formal consultative relations with UNESCO) in the rights of the Estonian National Section (CIOFF Estonia) and belongs to the Northern-European Sector of CIOFF. ENFC is fully acknowledged by the Ministry of Culture of Estonia.

The ENFC has 39 members: 11 cultural, educational and academic institutions, 11 societies and associations, 17 folklore festivals organizations.

The structure
The highest authority of the Council is the Annual General meeting of its members. The activity of the Council is managed and it is represented by the Board (chair is also the Estonian National Delegate of CIOFF). The executive organ of the Council is Secretariat, which is incorporated into the Folk Culture Center of Estonia (a cultural institution under the Ministry of Culture).
ENFC has the following commissions: the Art Council of the festival Baltica, the Commission of folklore experts, the Commission for the folklore curators of Estonian counties and towns and working group for the children and youth.

The main objectives of ENFC
* to direct and mediate national and international cooperation in the sphere of folklore movement;
* to maintain, revive and develop national and regional traditions;
* to transmit of cultural heritage to children and youth;
* to appraise the role of folklore in the present-day culture;
* to create understanding and tolerance between the various peoples of the world;
* to participate in CIOFF and UNESCO programs;
* to organize the CIOFF International Folklore Festival BALTICA in Estonia.


The activities
The activity of ENFC characterize all-Estonian team-work between voluntary associations, research establishments,
local administrations and state cultural institutions. ENFC co-ordinates national and international folklore events, regulates international exchange between folklore groups, mediates information, gives a methodological, organizational and scientific assistance, organizes festivals, seminars and conferences, arranges teaching on folklore. ENFC has a leadership in organizing the main folklore event in Estonia - CIOFF International Folklore Festival BALTICA.