Finnic Boundaries
Võru Institute Autumn Conference in Võru
Venue: Kood/Võru Hall, at the edge of Võru Town Square (Tartu St. 25, 2nd floor)
Dates: 22–23 October 2026

Call for Papers

This year marks 30 years since the beginning of the autumn conferences of the Võru Institute. These conferences have been fruitful and inspiring: discussions among linguists, folklorists, and archaeologists of different generations and countries have given rise to new ideas that have influenced the development of all these disciplines.

At these conferences, attention has been focused on the borders of the Finnic language and cultural area, language contacts, and place names. The southern and eastern borders of the Finnic languages have been discussed, yet interesting developments are also taking place in the north and west. To this day, it is not clear how many Finnic languages actually exist. Who decides on the existence of a language, and on the basis of which criteria? These and other topics will once again be discussed at this year’s conference.

We welcome papers that re-examine the extent of the Finnic language and cultural borders, analyze the formation and spread of the languages, and address other related themes. Contributions are also invited that explore what is happening or has happened in the contact areas between the Finnic area and other languages and cultures. Of particular interest is the substratum layer preserved in place names.

The conference is interdisciplinary. We welcome papers from linguists, archaeologists, geneticists, historians, cultural historians, folklorists, and researchers in related fields. We invite presentations that examine the borders of Finnic languages and cultures or explore what happens or has happened in border areas. Papers that reflect on the role of South Estonia and the South Estonian languages in this context are especially welcome.

Registration and practical information

The working languages of the conference are all Finnic languages and English. Papers will not be interpreted.

If you wish to present a paper (20 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for discussion), please submit a provisional title and an abstract (up to 300 words) in one of the conference working languages by 10 September 2026 when registering. All participants must register for the conference by 12 October via the registration link.

The conference schedule will be arranged so that speakers can arrive from Tallinn on the first bus and return from Võru on the last bus to Tallinn.

There is no participation fee. Lunches and accommodation in Võru must be arranged individually by participants. Registered participants will receive more detailed information about dining and accommodation options. Coffee and tea breaks will be provided by the conference organizers. On the evening of 22 October, a formal reception is planned at the Võrumaa Museum; participation is free of charge for speakers, and 25 euros for other participants (attendance must be indicated during registration via the same link).

The next circular, including the conference program, will be sent to registered participants at the end of September.

For all inquiries, please contact:
Võru Institute
Tartu tn 48
65609 Võru
e-mail: wi@wi.ee
tel. (+372) 782 8750 (Tuuli Abel, secretary)
tel. (+372) 5621 3174 (Evar Saar, researcher in onomastics)

 

 

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