estwärts

Dear all! We would like to cordially invite you to a language exchange weekend on Saturday, August 23rd and Sunday, August 24th as part of this year’s workcamp in Rihula!

For our planning, it is helpful if you register here as soon as you know whether you’ll be joining us. The organizing team can also be reached anytime via mail@estwaerts.eu.

Participation is free, and the organization team will prepare meals, snacks, coffee, etc. You only need to organize your own transportation (bus stop “Rihula” from Rakvere on route 88 is 2km west, and we can organize a shuttle from train station “Kabala” on the Tallinn-Narva railway in the north).

What’s the idea behind this language exchange?

After last year’s successful start in Rihula, we not only want to invite all interested people to participate in this year’s workcamp but also to join us for one or two days to get to know Estonian and German speaking folks and aspects of each other’s language. This weekend, where the focus will be on exchange between Estonian and German speakers rather than on construction work, aims to encourage engagement with Estonian or German language. Depending on participants’ existing interest and prior knowledge, this can range from learning first words and proverbs to deepening linguistic nuances.
While some Estonians may have learned German in school, this is virtually non-existent among the German camp participants. However, among them will be several people interested in the Estonian language with varying levels of speaking experience. Expecting a generally wide range in mastering the respective other language, we are not planning a school-like maximization of newly learned vocabulary, grammar, etc. Instead, we want to promote interest in language learning through pleasant encounters, shared meals, making music around the campfire, and conversations, while providing an opportunity for both sides to speak with native speakers.
So whether you speak just a few words or can communicate fluently - join us if you’re interested in this exchange!

What’s the mentioned workcamp about?

We are the non-profit organization “estwärts e.V.” Our aim is to preserve the old Rihula forest farm and turn it into a place where people can build, make music, dance, act, discuss and laugh together. At the same time, we want to encourage international encounters and experiences of nature.
Rihula is a historic forester’s estate located near Rakvere, east of Tallinn, Estonia. It’s situated in a beautifully remote area surrounded by forests, with a river running by. A lot has happened since the association was founded in summer 2023 and our first construction project took place from mid-August to mid-September, 2024. This year we’re planning to have a workcamp from August 3rd to August 31st, 2025.
While language naturally plays an important role in everyday workcamp life, the focus is on renovating work and shared experiences, and English usually proves to be the most practical for exchange between Estonians and Germans. Since our goal is also linguistic and cultural European exchange, we thought that already during this second workcamp, we will let the major construction sites rest for a weekend and dedicate ourselves to the beautiful Estonian and German languages with a diverse group of people.

What are we planning for the weekend and how can I join?

On Saturday the 23rd, we will start at 10am with a welcome gathering, arrival at the campsite, and for those who don’t know it yet, a small tour of the farm. After a delicious shared meal, around 1pm we plan to split into smaller groups based on our knowledge of each other’s languages. We’ll practice our language skills through various topics (feel free to express your interests or ideas when you register!).
Depending on prior knowledge, this can range from “What do I see in nature around Rihula” to more complex topics. Those who want to work with their hands despite it being the weekend can tackle small, manageable construction projects and learn practical vocabulary related to working together. After a communal dinner, we’ll end the evening around the campfire and perhaps sing a song or two.
If you want to camp overnight until Sunday but can’t bring a tent, please mention this in your registration and we’ll organize one for you. It’s also perfectly fine to participate for just one day or to return on Sunday morning. After breakfast, we have activities planned until lunch at 1pm. We want to shape the rest of the day spontaneously, depending on the size of our group and everyone’s interests. For example, we could take a walk to Sirtsi or along the river, or enjoy an extended coffee break while delving deeper into language learning.
Please mind that we want everyone to feel comfortable and welcome at Rihula, so we’re keeping the workcamp and the language exchange weekend largely alcohol-free. Also, make sure to contact us in advance if you would like to bring pets such as dogs.
We’re hoping to bring together a diverse, international group of people and create an atmosphere of mutual respect. If any issues arise, there will always be designated contact persons available to help.

For our planning, it is helpful if you register here as soon as you know whether you’ll be joining us. The organizing team can also be reached anytime via mail@estwaerts.eu.

We look forward to seeing you and having a great weekend!