We, the undersigned cultural organizations, call on the government of the Republic of Estonia to take immediate action to help bring an end to the genocide.
Art does not exist in a vacuum, independently from society. Silence and remaining apolitical are privileges that cannot be seen as neutral. As cultural organizations, we carry the responsibility of amplifying the voices that are less heard. As cultural organizations, we rely on humanity, shared social responsibilities, freedom of speaking up and thinking together, and everyone’s human right of living and staying alive.
In 1946, the United Nations General Assembly declared genocide a crime under international law. After World War II, there was a shared understanding that it takes a joint effort to prevent situations where people are massacred, injured, or forcibly displaced because of their national, ethnic, racial, or religious identity.
After regaining independence in 1991, Estonia joined the UN and signed the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, taking on the responsibility to prevent genocide. As of today, an independent UN international commission of inquiry has confirmed that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza (confirmed by a 72-page UN report on September 16, 2025). As a small country, the hope that international law is respected, is what we rely on for a sense of security. As cultural institutions near the border of an aggressor state, we cannot remain passive bystanders under the guise of being apolitical.
Today, Palestinians are being forced to endure inhumane conditions, with restricted access to food, clean water, medical care, and basic security. It is not anymore, a question, whether Gaza is facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. We urge the government to take immediate steps to help end the genocide in Gaza and to ensure access for humanitarian aid to the region.
Those of us, who believe that it is possible to change the course of what’s happening in the world, are urgently needed right now.
Signed:
Board Members of Estonian Union of Photographic Artists (FOKU)
Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia (EKKM)
Estonian Contemporary Art Development Center (EKKAK)
Board Members of the Estonian Writers’ Union (Maarja Kangro, Sveta Grigorjeva, Piret Jaaks, Jüri Kolk, Indrek Mesikepp, Leenu Nigu, Carolina Pihelgas, Øyvind Rangøy, Urmas Vadi)
The Young Contemporary Art Association (ENKKL)
Estonian Theatre Agency
elektron.art
IDA Radio
The Juhan Kuus Documentary Photo Centre
Kai Art Center
Kanuti Gildi SAAL
Massia Art Residency
Must Kast
Puänt
STL – Independent Dance Stage
Von Krahl Theatre
Värske Rõhk