Remembering Professor Kristin Kuutma
The RISE UP project is deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Kristin Kuutma of the University of Tartu – an esteemed anthropologist, ethnologist, and folklorist, whose life’s work centered on introducing and critically analyzing the concept of intangible cultural heritage, as well as examining the role and impact of UNESCO in both academic and public contexts, in Estonia and internationally. She served as the Head of the UNESCO Chair on Applied Studies of Intangible Cultural Heritage. In the RISE UP project, Kristin was the lead of Work Package 2, focusing on language policies and theoretical background.
Kristin Kuutma’s work bridged academic research and global heritage policy. She began her academic journey in English and folklore at the University of Tartu and later earned a PhD from the University of Washington, focusing on the Seto epic Peko and Sámi ethnographic narratives. Her research was published in both Estonian and international outlets, including the Folklore Fellows Communications series.
Kristin Kuutma had a broad and global perspective on her field. Kuutma played a vital role in shaping the scholarly understanding of intangible cultural heritage and in critically assessing UNESCO’s global influence. Kristin Kuutma held several important roles related to intangible cultural heritage and UNESCO, including serving on the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage and leading the UNESCO Chair at the University of Tartu. She actively contributed to international heritage policy and advised countries on implementing the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
In the RISE UP project, Kristin consistently emphasized the importance of being sensitive to local contexts and attentive to the voices of community members when considering language policies. Her time singing in the folk ensembles Leegajus and Hellero gave her valuable insight into the organisational dynamics of the folk culture field and a deep appreciation for the joy of communal singing. This perspective also informed the RISE UP project, as she repeatedly highlighted the important role cultural heritage can play in sustaining marginalized linguistic varieties. Kristin will be remembered as an inspiring and empathetic colleague, and she will be deeply missed.
The University of Tartu opened an online condolence book for Kristin Kuutma, which can be found here: https://padlet.com/kristiinaporila/kristin-kuutma-11-vii-1959-16-v-2025-9me23uw8bd3di6t1
