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NordTradCraft – Traditional Craft Network

Intensive course

Sustainable Craft and Repair Culture:
Heritage, Innovation and Future Practices (3 ECTS)
14–20 September 2026, Viljandi, Estonia

Aim of the Course

This NordTradCraft international intensive course explores the interconnections between repair, sustainable craft, cultural heritage, and circular economy practices. The course examines how traditional craft knowledge and contemporary repair practices can contribute to current sustainability transitions. Particular attention is given to the role of repair in extending product lifecycles, supporting sustainable material cultures, reducing waste, and strengthening local knowledge systems. At the same time, the course addresses the challenge of safeguarding practical craft skills and cultural heritage in a rapidly changing world.

Preparatory Assignment

Before arriving, participants are asked to:
• Find an inspiring example of repair, reuse, or material upcycling;
• Bring a repaired, transformed, or otherwise meaningful object (or a photograph of it);
• Prepare a short presentation about the object, its story, the repair process, or its significance.
These examples will be shared during the course seminars and presented at the Repair Festival.

The organizers reserve the right to make changes in programme details. Please be sure to check for updates before arrival.

Monday, 14 September

Arrival in Viljandi

Tuesday, 15 September

Introduction and the Fundamentals of Repair

  • Course opening and participant introductions

  • Introduction to Vilma Building and the Native Crafts learning environment

  • Setting the Stage: Repair, Circular Economy and Sustainability

  • Seminar: The Life Stories of Broken Objects:
    • analyzing and diagnosing damaged objects,

    • identifying repair needs,

    • developing alternative repair plans.

  • Presentation of objects and examples brought by participants (This can be some other day as well)

  • Evening networking event and welcome gathering

Wednesday, 16 September

Sustainable Technologies and Hands-on Workshops

  • Lectures on low-tech solutions and repair
    • Madis Vasser (VCA): Low-Tech Solutions for Sustainability

    • Maris Taul (VCA): Traditional Repair Techniques in Estonian Folk Costume Making

    • Further presentations will be added to the programme

  • Practical workshops, including:
    • Madis Vasser (VCA): Low-tech energy solutions (direct solar, direct wind, pedal power)

    • Mari Roose (VCA): Circular brooch-inspired jewellery from wood and metal

    • Maris Taul (VCA): Practical Textile Repair Techniques

    • Further workshops will be added to the programme

  • Cultural programme and introduction to the creative and cultural environment of Viljandi
    • Visit to the Embroidery Exhibition at the Kondas Centre

Thursday, 17 September

International Seminar: Repair, Cultural Heritage and Sustainability

  • Presentations and discussions on:
    • intangible cultural heritage and sustainable development;

    • repair culture as intangible cultural heritage;

    • craft, wellbeing and sustainability;

    • teaching repair and sustainability skills;

    • international experiences and initiatives.
      • Chiara Bortolotto (France): Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Sustainable Development Turn

      • Tenno Teidearu (Estonia): Repair as Sustainable Cultural Heritage in Post-Soviet Estonia

      • Niina Väänänen (Finland): Sustainable Craft and seminar on Crafts and Wellbeing

      • Pasi Pennanen (Finland): Repair Teaching in Technology Education in Finland: Current Practices and Future Perspectives

      • Kail Kuresoo (VCA): Educational Materials on Repair for Estonian Schools of General Education

  • Group discussions and exchange of experiences

  • Optional practical activities in the afternoon

Friday, 18 September

Study Trip to Tartu

Saturday, 19 September

Repair Festival

11-18 Participation in the Viljandi V Repair Festival. Find a preliminary overview of the workshops here.

  • Practical activities, workshops and meetings with repair practitioners

  • Presentation of participants’ projects and examples

  • Course evaluation and reflection seminar

  • Closing evening

Sunday, 20 September

Departure

Contact Information

For further information, please contact:
Ave Matsin, Academic content and course-related questions: ave.matsin@ut.ee
Marit Helstein, Organisational and practical arrangements: marit.helstein@ut.ee
Kristiana Hein, Technical questions related to the NordTradCraft network: kristiana.hein@ut.ee
University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy, Viljandi, Estonia

Young people standing around metalwork table.
Photo by Kerttu Kruusla
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