Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (Centre) visits the island of Kihnu. Wednesday, August 15, 2018. Photo: Jürgen Randma/Government Office
Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (Centre) visited the remote Western Estonian island of Kihnu on August 15, where he met with local government and civic leaders, visited teh 90-year old singer Kihnu Virve and the site of the island’s new rescue centre, among other things.
According to Ratas, a unique cultural heritage has survived on the island that needs to be preserved as authentically as possible. “We have to do everything we can to ensure that, even centuries from now, the songs and handicraft skills of Kihnu women as well as the island’s community customs remain honoured,” the prime minister said.
Kihnu’s cultural space was inclded in UNESCO’s list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2003.
VES/ERR