Marid ja mari kogukond Eestis
The Mari and the Mari community in Estonia

Summary/Abstract: The article examines the emergence and development of the Mari diaspora in Estonia and the activities of Mari ethnic associations from the end of the 19th century to the middle of the 2020s. An overview is provided of the specific ethnocultural characteristics of the Mari people, their historical contacts with Estonians and the development of scholarly, educational and cultural ties between the two kindred peoples. Particular attention is paid to the Estonian-Mari Society, established in 1990, and its role in fostering contacts between Estonia and Mari Eli. The article also examines the activities of Mari organisations in Tartu and Tallinn and their contribution to unifying the community, organising cultural events, implementing educational initiatives and preserving Mari language and cultural heritage. Analysis is provided of Sunday schools, camps for youth and families, folklore collectives, handicraft projects and the importance of cultural mediation for the preservation of ethnic identity in diaspora conditions. The article shows how ethnic associations simultaneously help preserve Mari culture and contribute to the community’s successful integration into Estonian society.

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