‘Sowing the Learning Seeds’ (SLS) Project 2010–2012 The project is financed via the EU Lifelong Learning programme,
sub-programme: Grundtvig; Action: Grundtvig Learning Partnerships 2010.
Autumn is a time when people sow seeds - sometimes for bread, but today, as part of a project and study visit to Estonia, the seeds of learning. Looking back on the days we spent together, I remember the images and impressions that I want to describe:
Access to formal education: We viewed the so-called adult schools and learnt about how they work. We were told that every adult has the option to complete secondary school free of charge - with full logistical support and the greatest possible adaptation of implementation to the needs of participants. Participants can of course borrow all the necessary literature (in Estonian, Russian, German or English) and aids. Schools usually have suitable libraries and guidance support.
Libraries: The fact that there are libraries all over Estonia under the model of an organised library for every 500 residents indicates that libraries today have the position of a lifelong learning centre or point. If we consider the short days and long autumn and winter nights in northern Europe, the role of libraries is even more important - they are knowledge providers and places to meet, socialise and coexist.
Russian language: At school I had the misfortune as a commuter to learn Russian rather than English. My teacher at the time, a major in the Russian army who after liberation made her home in Prekmurje, knew how to reveal the grandeur, softness and beauty of a language which today, after all the political and especially economic changes, is once again acquiring the status of a world language. Almost one-third of Estonians are of Russian origin, and until 1990 everyone learnt Russian, so the language is still living among the people. Let's put to one side the fact that for political reasons the Russian language is out of public favour. I like it, and took every opportunity to listen to and speak it - on the street, in shops and libraries.
Singing: Estonians are renowned for greatly enjoying singing, they have excellent choirs, and during the independence movement they even used singing to stop Russian soldiers, who wanted to seize TV transmitters. Their annual gatherings of choirs attract up to 30,000 singers. Here I saw great similarities with Slovenes: we rank very highly in Europe in terms of the number of choirs, and we have an annual meeting of choirs in Šentvid pri Stièni. Singing is likely also a major and important part of lifelong learning and the quality of life. All exchange participants also sang, and our group was (of course) to the fore. It took some time for us to find a common, non-American song, and then it was fun, in fact it was great!
Harmony with nature - looking after lakes: Like Finland, Estonia is a land of lakes. I had an opportunity to observe how - before winter sets in - they use special amphibious tractors to clear leaves and aerate the water and arrange the lake shore. In short, they value what they have. They renew and maintain it. They treat everything old as something valuable. Where possible, they renew and reuse it.
Slovenia
