The Estonian Association of Designers (EDL) is organising the design competition “Back to the Estonian Roots”.

In the age of globalisation and mass culture, there are more and more reasons to look back at the past and search for the unique essence of a nation, their values and aesthetics. Cultural heritage is the basis and a crucial part of the identity of a nation, material culture is unique in every country. This is what distinguishes us from other cultures and you have to know how to protect and value it.

By organising this competition, the professional association wishes to introduce the gems of native crafts in the form of contemporary design to the public. Products which have been developed based on the local traditional design principles and which have been given new value and life by modernising and integrating new technologies (not just traditional handicraft) are welcome to take part in the competition. The aim is to avoid commercial reproduction of national patterns on artificial materials. EDL invites contemporary and unique product ideas and prototypes which have been masterfully created using native technologies, old approaches to material and stylised ornaments to enter the public competition. 

The nominees are announced on September 18. The exhibition of the nominees is displayed on September 26-October 6 in the Design and Architecture Gallery (Pärnu mnt 6). The submitted works are evaluated by specialists in the field of native crafts and ethnography and experienced designers. 

The award ceremony takes place as a part of the opening gala of Design Night festival on the EAA Square (Tartu mnt 1) on September 26. The best products are given the opportunity to market itself through the Estonian Design House. The competition coincides well with the events of the Year of Cultural Heritage taking place in Estonia.