Opinion Festival: Estonia’s premier platform for public debate

Text Mark Taylor
Photo Eerik Maalmann / Arvamusfestival

The popular Opinion Festival in Paide will take place from August 9 to 11. This free, inclusive event invites participants from all walks of life to engage in meaningful discussions on pressing societal issues. Held annually, the festival aims to improve debate culture and offer a space where diverse viewpoints can be shared and explored.

Founder Kristi Liiva highlights the festival’s unique role: “The Opinion Festival brings together government officials, cultural figures, entrepreneurs, academics, journalists, and citizens, creating a rare opportunity for face-to-face exchanges and deeper understanding.”

The festival is not only a venue for dialogue but also a resource for future reference. Debates are recorded and made available on podcasts and Flickr, ensuring that valuable discussions can be revisited and shared widely. As part of the Democracy Festivals Association, the Opinion Festival also contributes to a global network promoting participatory democracy.

As well as discussions in Estonian there are also more than a dozen debates in English. You can get more information on the full programme of debates from the official Opinion Festival website.

To learn more about this and similar topics
Civic Education Estonia Debate Culture Events in Estonia Open Dialogue Opinion Festival Paide Public Discussion