Setos elect new leader at annual Seto Kingdom Day

Ingrit Kala has been chosen as the new leader of the Seto people, known as ülembsootska, in a traditional direct vote that took place at the Seto Kingdom Day celebration in Mikitamäe, southeastern Estonia, on Saturday.

The annual event, now in its 33rd year, opened with a packed program of festivities, contests and presentations devoted to the Seto language, cuisine, cultural traditions, history and local identity. At the heart of the gathering was the custom of electing a ceremonial head of the Seto god-king Peko. Thousands of participants took part in the vote, queueing in front of the candidate they supported and holding a rope attached to that candidate to cast their ballot.

Kala defeated fellow contender Rain Oper, a former youth regent, by a margin of several hundred supporters. She succeeds Jalmar Vabarna. In her year as leader, Kala will share duties with Maria Grünberg, who was re-elected as youth regent (nuursootska) the day before, with children and teenagers casting their votes.

Kala said it is important to be there for one's own people and to bring a blessing when invited. She also stressed the need to work outside the Seto community to increase its visibility. One of her key priorities is the preservation and development of the Seto language, which she noted is now spoken by fewer people. She emphasized that young people should be especially encouraged to keep it alive.

Local resident Signe, who moved to Setomaa two years ago, said the celebration brings together locals and anyone who feels connected to the Seto identity. For her, the important thing is how the event reunites familiar faces and gives people a chance to catch up. There is always something happening, she added, and the little moments are what make the day wonderful.