Tallinna feministlik foorum

Aet Kuusik & Rebeka Põldsam workshop “Hammustame keelde” (ET)
Kui sõnad äkki otsa saavad, hammustame keelde. Puuetest, neuroerinevustest ja eriti rassist eesti keeles kuigi tihti ei räägita, sest meil pole selleks justkui sõnavara ega harjumust. Vaikus pole aga neutraalne, nagu ei ole seda keelgi: see, kuidas me räägime, kellest räägime ja milliseid sõnu kasutame, vormib seda, mida me näeme, mida mäletame ja keda kuuleme. Kväärikeelt saab teatud mõttes vaadata kui edulugu: sõnavara on olemas, vähemalt sildid, kust edasi minna ehk palju tööd on tehtud.

Töötoas võtame ette teemad, millest me rääkida ei oska. Arutame osalejatega, milline keelekasutus teeb rõõmu ja milline rõhub ning miks see nii on. Paari näite varal vaatame, mida teha ja kuidas sõnu leida: kust otsida, kellelt küsida, mis tingimustel toimib teistest keeltest laenamine, mida saab edulugudest üle kanda. Ja mida teha siis, kui sõnu ei leiagi – kuidas ületada kohmetus, aga rääkida hoolega ehk teemast ja inimestest hoolides.

Töötoas on ruumi nii osalejate kogemustele ja teadmistele kui ka lühikesele loenguosale, et teemat sisse juhatada. Harjutused on loodud eesmärgiga äratada tähelepanu mikrotasandi feministlikele strateegiatele argises keelekasutuses. Töötuba toimub eesti keeles ja mahutab kuni 30 osalejat.

Rebeka Põldsam on Tartu Ülikooli etnoloogia teadur, kes uurib Eesti kvääri minevikku ja tulevikku. Ta on ka vabakutseline kuraator: praegu on Tartu Ülikooli muuseumis avatud näitus „Kas on kerge olla vana?“, mille peatüki Eesti LGBT+ inimeste vananemisevisioonidest Põldsam  koostas.

Aet Kuusik on Tartu Ülikooli keeleteaduse nooremteadur, kes uurib LGBT-teemadega seotud silte ning õpetab magistritaseme kursust keelest, soost ja seksuaalsusest.

Aleftina Shaulskaya workshop “Owning My Power” (ENG)
Many of us have been taught to be accommodating, not take up too much space, not express anger, not ask for what we need, and not be “too much.” As a result, our own power can come to feel dangerous, shameful, or simply out of reach. This workshop is an invitation to explore your relationship with power. What happens when you feel your own strength? How easy is it for you to take up space, be visible, influence others, say “no” and “yes” with confidence? What messages about power and womanhood have shaped you? Which ones support you, and which ones hold you back? Through experiential exercises, body awareness, reflection, and dialogue, we will explore what it means to reclaim our power gently and authentically—not by becoming someone else, but by coming home to ourselves. This workshop is open to anyone who wants to build a freer, more grounded, and more authentic relationship with their own power.

Aleftina Shaulskaya is a psychotherapist, Gestalt Practitioner in Organizations, and group process facilitator based in Tallinn, Estonia. Her work explores the intersections of power, leadership, gender, trauma, and relationships. She is particularly interested in how women reclaim their voice, take up space, become visible, and learn to embody their power without losing connection to themselves or others. Aleftina creates spaces where people can explore difficult experiences with curiosity, compassion, and support, finding new ways to connect with themselves and the world around them.

Kolkaplika’s tattoos on demand
Liina Pääsuke, the one of the artists behind Kolkaplika, has been tattooing since 2015 and is one of the founders of the NGO. Kolkaplika believes that great ideas, art, and tattoos don’t have to be born in a big city – sometimes they emerge at the end of a gravel road. Liina loves delicate lines, nature-inspired imagery, patterns, and lettering, creating tattoos that find just the right place on your skin. For this tour, she has prepared a selection of feminist-inspired flash designs, but if you have an idea of your own, you can also develop and sketch it together with her on site.

Liina’s portfolio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ArkXicd80ccGbI-cO0tmc8PowrnDS-xA/view?usp=sharing

Mia Aintila conversation “Fempathy Academy” (ENG)
What kind of issues stop us from being heard or seen in our advocacy work, and/or everyday life? What stops us from hearing and seeing each other? What are the layers and structures of society that we as a collective, and we as individuals, have impact on? What are some skill and knowledge sets that could help us overcome barriers in society and in ourselves? Mia invites you to explore your own path in a combined discussion and ideation workshop.

Mia Aintila from Fem-R (an anti-racist, feminist NGO centering the voice of racialised minorities in Finland) joins TALFF to discuss the intersectionality of gender and marginalized identities and explore skills needed in impactful humanrights activism and advocacy work from the grassroots up.

Sanna Kartau movement workshop “Liigu nagu titt” (ET)
Lõbusas ja potentsiaalselt emotsionaalses töötoas tutvume esiteks visuaalse materjaliga, et mõista, mis iseloomustab väikelaste liikumisviise. Seejärel soojendame üles oma kehad ja vaimud, et asuda neid ise järgi proovima. Samuti mängime vokaalidega: kuidas reageerib keha, kui nii hääl kui liikumine võib viia meie kõige haavatavamasse eluperioodi? Mida teeb meie psüühika, kui raputame kehalt maha turvalised täiskasvanute stambid?

Sanna Kartau on feministlik kirjanik, pedagoog ja kunstnik Tallinnast, kes tegeleb soo, klassi ja konflikti teemadega erinevaid väljendusvahendeid kasutades. Kevadel kirjastas OPA! Publishing tema epistolaarteose “Ma usun ihasse”.

Maria Uuetoa speed-friending (ET/ENG)
Speed friending is a simple way to genuinely and directly get to know another TALFF participant. You meet in pairs, take turns answering questions, and take time to listen to each other and get to know one another better. It is an opportunity to make new connections, share experiences, and feel part of the festival community.

Maria Uuetoa is an educator and team coach who believes that learning and growth happen in caring, inclusive, and collaborative environments. In her work, she supports young people’s self-development and the creation of safe spaces for discussion, bringing together the principles of education, youth work, and social justice.

Getriin Kotsar conversation “Atlas: sissejuhatus” (ET)
Vestlusringi fookuses on (linna)ruumi küsimused. Arutleme näiteks tänavanimede kujunemise ja nende mõju/mittemõju üle, samuti uurime, kuidas kujuneb turvatunne ning millised elemendid jäävad kaartidel dokumenteerimata, ent oleksid tegelikult tähistamist väärt. Esimeses pooles avan pisut teemat ja tutvustan teemakohaseid materjale, mis on seni täiendanud minu individuaalseid entusiastlikke otsinguid. Töötoa teises pooles toimub juhitud vestlusring, mille käigus saab luua ühiselt kaarti, unistada heast avalikust ruumist ja jagada mõtteid. Töötoas kõnelen kirgliku ruumihuvilise ja etenduskunstniku positsioonilt. Vestlusring ei eelda varasemaid teadmisi või materjalide läbi lugemist, ainult uudishimu ja avatust!

Getriin Kotsar is a freelancer. In her artistic practices, she mainly works with themes like memories, loneliness, dreaming and the passage of time. Right this moment she’s specifically interested in psychogeography. Her works, both performative and literary, are inspired by dreams, pop culture, the human body and everyday life. As an artist, she’s interested in spaces and atmospheres that are melancholic, liminal, offering refuge and with a little twist. In her works, she tries to balance fiction and reality, find small and large utopias, both individually and collectively and dreams of better and more opportunities for freelance artists.

Dagmar Kase movement workshop “Liikumisrännak” (ET, possibly ENG)
The movement journey invites you to experience a personal journey through conscious breathing, Shindo stretching exercises, and movement to feminist and queer dance music. The journey begins with a guided warm-up and ends with a guided cool-down. The movement of the middle part of the journey is based on the participants’ improvisation. The journey takes place in a safe, non-judgemental space — everyone is welcome, and everyone can move at their own pace. 
Dress comfortably, wear indoor shoes (or socks), and bring a water bottle (non-carbonated). Also, bring a mat and a blanket (some mats and blankets will be provided on site). Eat a light meal about 1 hour before the journey, and avoid large meals and foods that are difficult to digest. Please put your mobile phone on silent mode during the journey.

The journey is guided by a vegan and queer feminist activist Dagmar Kase. She has been consciously focusing on holistic well-being for a long time, searching for and discovering practices that suit her.

Sille-Kadri Simer’s stand-up (ENG)
Sille-Kadri Simer is an award-winning queer-comedian and a podcast host. She is known as a sharp-tongued comedy Barbie whose jokes leave no one indifferent. As an Estonian Barbie she’s one of a kind, collectable, and slightly traumatized! On stage, she is an energetic, extravagant, and intense performer. In 2025, Sille-Kadri was crowned the winner of the English-language “Roast Battle” and also won the Tallinn Fringe Festival’s “The Gong Show”.

Kolkaplika’s tattoos on demand
Liina Pääsuke, the one of the artists behind Kolkaplika, has been tattooing since 2015 and is one of the founders of the NGO. Kolkaplika believes that great ideas, art, and tattoos don’t have to be born in a big city – sometimes they emerge at the end of a gravel road. Liina loves delicate lines, nature-inspired imagery, patterns, and lettering, creating tattoos that find just the right place on your skin. For this tour, she has prepared a selection of feminist-inspired flash designs, but if you have an idea of your own, you can also develop and sketch it together with her on site.

Liina’s portfolio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ArkXicd80ccGbI-cO0tmc8PowrnDS-xA/view?usp=sharing

Airi Triisberg “Pension, sugu, vaesus (ET)
Tänapäeva Eestis on peaaegu olematu sooline pensionilõhe, aga sellegipoolest on vaesuse määr eakate naiste hulgas kõige suurem. Õigupoolest on vaesus olnud juba aastasadu üksi elava vana naise nägu. Prognoosid näitavad, et tulevikus pensionäride sooline ebavõrdsus kasvab. Kuidas Eesti pensionisüsteem soolist ebavõrdsust taastoodab?
Ettekanne käsitleb kolme teemat. Alustuseks annab kiire pilk ajalukku ülevaate solidaarse pensionisüsteemi kujunemisloost. Teine osa analüüsib Eesti pensionisüsteemi läbi feministliku prisma. Ettekande lõpuosa pakub pensioniks valmistumise nõuandeid väikese sissetulekuga, projektipõhiselt ja ebakindlates oludes töötavatele inimestele, nagu näiteks loovtöötajad ning vabakonna eestvedajad.

Vikerteraapia movement workshop “How to Take Space” (ET/ENG)
In this workshop, we will explore—through movement and perhaps even stillness—both familiar and new ways of taking up space. We may dive deep into introspection or joyfully flutter around. Everyone is invited to participate in whatever way feels right for them. We will work individually and in pairs, and share our experiences with one another.

The workshop is facilitated by Laura Barbo from the Vikerteraapia Think Tank, an initiative dedicated to supporting the mental health of LGBT+ people in Estonia.

Keithy Kuuspu & Ave Vellesalu performance “Ave and Keithy were knocked up and are now just staying home with the babies (residency at Kanuti Gildi SAAL 18.05-18.06.26)” (ET/ENG)
“Be pretty, be mothers, bring joy to your men! Don’t try to prove to the world who knows what!” (Urmas Sõõrumaa, 2025, Kanal 2 “Silmast silma”)

Motherhood — like love and other great topics and feelings — is difficult to interpret through art. Too often, it becomes overly sentimental on stage. And honestly, who really cares?

What we care about is how to remain credible after becoming mothers, and how to make parenthood a more compelling topic in the arts in general. If art is created through the lens of lived experience, and motherhood takes over all aspects of reality, then how do we continue creating? We have no desire to lobby for political parties whose goal is to increase birth rates. Rather, we want to figure out how not to become invisible, uninteresting masses as mothers. What would working with a child look like? Can we still be relied upon?

It feels like what Brigitta Davidjants described in her article “Motherhood is Uncomfortable.” It’s uncomfortable with and without children. In front of others and for others. Motherhood is a constant feeling of guilt on so many levels.
“It’s not like she can take part anyway, she has a kid.”
“It’s a pity I didn’t ask you to perform before you had the kid. That ship has clearly sailed.”
“Are you thinking of continuing to work as an artist after staying home with the kid?”

During a residency at Kanuti Gildi SAAL 18.05-18.06, we conceptualized and experimented with ways of talking about parenthood that are relatable even for people who are not parents. We experimented with elements from our everyday lives and turned them into bodily and visual works of art, without becoming overly sentimental ourselves. Or then again — becoming EXTRA sentimental.

Ave Vellesalu is a contemporary artist and musician based in Tallinn. She studied photography and new media at the Estonian Academy of Arts and completed an exchange programme in the Sibelius and Visual Arts departments at the University of the Arts Helsinki. Vellesalu’s work focuses primarily on contemporary social conflicts and environmental issues, often through robotics-based and curated kinetic spatial installations. These installations are frequently complemented by photography, video, and sound. In her practice, the artist seeks to reconcile the organic with the sterile while finding a place for herself among domesticated natural elements. She is also a sound artist and one half of the electronic music duo Vera Vice.

Keithy Kuuspu is an Estonian artist working across performance art, choreography, visual art, and ceramics. Her work explores everyday structures and the influence of society on the individual, often through an ironically naive approach. A central aspect of her practice is the fusion of performance and visual art, alongside an ongoing search for connections between the body and material.

Agáta Marzec, Karina Vabson, Kadri Haugas & Sean Tyler workshop “Ecological Afterlives: Toward Transfeminist Ecological Practice in the Baltics” (ENG)
This workshop asks how ecological questions are also feminist questions, and how feminist questions are ecological ones within the Baltic context. Bringing contemporary feminist and transecofeminist work into conversation with local examples, we will explore how ecological and social reproduction are interconnected, even though dominant policy, academic, and infrastructural frameworks treat them as separate and devalued.
We will work through the premise that living amid inherited and ongoing damage requires concepts and imaginaries attentive to how histories, infrastructures, and political relations shape environmental issues, without imagining a return to innocent nature or romanticising the adaptations that damaged conditions demand. This orientation needs not only better interdisciplinary analysis but also gathering and negotiating together. Accordingly, we do not approach feminist ecological practice as a single or settled framework, but as a collaborative inquiry. We will combine short presentations, dialogue, a brief walk, and group discussion.

Alina Besleaga conversation “8th of March demonstration” (ENG)
“8th of March demonstration” is a conversational exploration of what a Women’s day march is and what it could be. What does its absence mean for people here? 

Alina Besleaga is a power-literate and trauma-informed educator, searching for hope that comes from the struggle for liberation.

Kolkaplika’s tattoos on demand
Liina Pääsuke, the one of the artists behind Kolkaplika, has been tattooing since 2015 and is one of the founders of the NGO. Kolkaplika believes that great ideas, art, and tattoos don’t have to be born in a big city – sometimes they emerge at the end of a gravel road. Liina loves delicate lines, nature-inspired imagery, patterns, and lettering, creating tattoos that find just the right place on your skin. For this tour, she has prepared a selection of feminist-inspired flash designs, but if you have an idea of your own, you can also develop and sketch it together with her on site.

Liina’s portfolio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ArkXicd80ccGbI-cO0tmc8PowrnDS-xA/view?usp=sharing

Sandra Puusepp & Elise Marie Olesk conversation “Fish between the legs” (ET/ENG)
When engaging with works of art, an intriguing triangle of relationships emerges: artist–artwork–viewer. Interpretation plays a vital role in shaping and understanding this dynamic. But who holds the position of power in the act of interpretation? How can these power dynamics shift? And how can we talk about sexism and misogynistic elements in works of art?
This discussion will explore questions of creating a safer space for differing opinions and interpreting sexist symbols in today’s cultural landscape. Drawing on articles published in the Estonian media as well as examples from exhibition spaces, we will examine how these issues are understood, debated, and challenged.

Sandra Puusepp (1997) and Elise Marie Olesk (2002) are contemporary artists whose practices mainly include printmaking and installation, as well as video and sound art. Both draw on new materialist, posthumanist, and feminist theories in their work. The artists are active members of groups such as Kvadraat and ENKKL, through which they have both organised and participated in several exhibition projects, conferences, and summer camps.

Kirte Jõesaar movement workshop “Hooledünaamikad” (ET)
Töötoas tegeleme juhtimise ja järgnemise, pakkumise ja vastuvõtmise, hoolitsemise ja lahti laskmisega. Oma kehaga kontaktis olles proovime jõuda lähemale arusaamale, mida hetkel tahame, vajame, igatseme või ihaldame. Katsetame erinevaid viise, kuidas neid soove ka teisega jagada ja mil moel teise soove täide viia. Teeme valikuid ja harjutame “ei” ütlemist. Uurime, kuidas tähelepanu liigub, ning harjutame selle teadlikku suunamist ja hoidmist nii iseendal kui paarilisel. Liigume ja liigutame teineteist, mõjutame ja saame mõjutatud, hoiame ja oleme hoitud. 
Töötuppa on hea selga panna riided, millega saab vabalt liikuda. 

Kire Jõesaar on tantsu- ja etenduskunstnik, kes on viimasel ajal huvitatud intiimsete kohtumiste esilekutsumisest, kus igapäevaelust tuttavad olukorrad ja tegevused moonduvad kunstilisteks/kunstlikeks protseduurideks. Ta uurib hoole- ja võimudünaamikaid ning mängib hõõrdumisega kliinilise, professionaalse ja kapitalistliku ning hooliva, siira ja empaatilise vahel.

Seren Oroszvary. 1-1 performance “Intimate Immensity” (ENG)
What’s it like to lose a forest?

Waking one day, in fog.

The birds have stopped.
Your tracks have disappeared.
Wasn’t there once shade, fragrance, intuition?
Were not the trees whispering you forth?

Memory is thinner than bark.
All that greenery, lost beneath the noise.

Perhaps the forest was never as alive as you recall.
Perhaps you imagined it.

One day, for whatever reason,
you wander.

Descending into yourself, you drift a little—

and there it is:

ancient roots intertwined with your ribs,
branches stretching with every inhale,
leaves leaking their green ink through your veins as they unfurl.

A pulsing ecosystem.

So the forest hadn’t vanished.
It had changed addresses.

Quietly growing all along,
folded into your deepest chamber,
where it could survive the seasons that were cutting you down.

The canopy is intact,
nourished by every breath you took,
even the shaky, weary ones.

What’s it like to come across the forest?

Falling asleep one day, in peace.
Falling asleep. Period.

The birds are singing. They never stopped.

Perhaps the forest was never lost at all.
Perhaps it had simply crawled down,
deep into the caves of your lungs.

And when you take a moment,
even the trees begin to whisper
about how patiently they have been waiting for you all along.

Seren Oroszvary is an actress, voice over artist and performance maker from Melbourne, based in
Tallinn. She is currently in residence at Copper Leg preparing the site-specific, immersive,
experimental performance A Body To Dwell, produced by elektron.art and premiering this
September. This work is in its development stages using audience encounter, interaction with the
space, narrative and looping as her methodology for creating intimate and site-specific journeys.

Kolkaplika’s tattoos on demand
Liina Pääsuke, the one of the artists behind Kolkaplika, has been tattooing since 2015 and is one of the founders of the NGO. Kolkaplika believes that great ideas, art, and tattoos don’t have to be born in a big city – sometimes they emerge at the end of a gravel road. Liina loves delicate lines, nature-inspired imagery, patterns, and lettering, creating tattoos that find just the right place on your skin. For this tour, she has prepared a selection of feminist-inspired flash designs, but if you have an idea of your own, you can also develop and sketch it together with her on site.

Liina’s portfolio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ArkXicd80ccGbI-cO0tmc8PowrnDS-xA/view?usp=sharing