Sõdalinna Theatre director: 90% of staff should speak Estonian by 2028
The director of Tallinn's Sõdalinna Theatre, Anne-Lii Päiv, said the theatre aims to have 90% of its staff speaking Estonian by 2028, while ruling out formal testing or a requirement for the top C1 proficiency level.
Anne-Lii Päiv, director of Tallinn's Sõdalinna Theatre, outlined the venue's language goals during the Rus.ERR webcast "Live from the House of News." According to her, 60% of employees should know Estonian by 2027, rising to 90% by 2028.
Päiv explained that since the theatre is a state institution funded by taxpayers, staff knowledge of Estonian is a natural expectation. However, she made clear this does not mean requiring the highest C1 proficiency certificate, nor does it mean subjecting employees to formal testing.
A multilingual company as the ideal
Päiv said the ideal situation would be a company where staff speak multiple languages — Russian, Estonian and English — and noted that such employees already work at the theatre. She explained that the venue hosts many rental events, meaning staff often need to communicate with people from other organizations using the space.
Not an exam
Päiv repeatedly stressed that the language requirement is not meant to function as an exam, but rather reflects a basic, elementary level of language knowledge sufficient for mutual understanding. To support staff, the theatre runs Estonian language courses and plans to join the Keelesõber program, which offers opportunities to practice the language.
She noted that many employees have already passed the A2 level test, while others are working through B1 and B2. Päiv expressed confidence the goal is achievable and dismissed any suggestion that staff would be asked in 2028 to produce a C1 certificate.
