MTÜ Sänna Kultuurimõis

NGO Sänna Culturemanor (MTÜ Sänna Kultuurimõis) is based in an old manor house (built in 1586) of sparsely populated and traditional village of South Estonia. Organisation was established in 2009 and since then it has renovated most rooms of the main building. Sänna Culturemanor started as organisation of hosting different culture and art events, workshops, camps, courses, retreats, art residency etc. Public service center with library, wi-fi, organic shop, laundry, shower and kitchen are located in main building as well as sewing class equipped with sewing machines and weaving looms.There is a carpentry workshop and pottery studio based in a building next to the manor house. Essential emphasis of organisation has been always drawn upon sustainable living and environmental protection. Manor house is located in the middle of nature protection area surrounded by picturesque Pärli river and old manor park with some quite rare bird species and ancient trees. There is an educational hiking trail of Solar System named "Sänna Skywalk" built by members and volunteers of organisation that gives a perspective of the size of our planet and cultural heritage of Sänna village. There is also small permaculture garden, outdoor community kitchen with dome oven located in the surroundings of manor house. Since 2015 main focus has been put onto village community school and pre-school (kindergarten) which are located in the rooms of a manor house and are based on philosophy of democratic education (https://www.eudec.org/Democratic+Education+Info). Sänna Village school of Inventors is the first and currently only one Democratic school in Estonia. Collective decision-making and self-directed discovery are few of the keywords in process of learning. Proximity to nature, freedom and lots of fresh air are the main features of everyday school and kindergarten routine. Main aims of organisation are: - provide different social services to local community members, - develop life in rural areas, - increase size and quality of community, - reduce outbound of rural areas, - offer activities to local youth, - enliven cultural life of local community, - support newcomers, - support sensitive children who do not fit large schools. Target groups of organisation: - people who are willing to move to rural area, - newcomers to area, - traditional community members, - families with children who are offered access to alternative education as well as tourists. There are about 60 inhabitants in Sänna village and about 200 in Sänna area. Regular activities: Service center is open 5 days a week as well as village school and kindergarten. To achieve aims of organisation different cultural events (craft workshops, exhibitions, concerts etc.), educational seminars, trainings take place occasionally. Other relevant aspects: MTÜ Sänna Kultuurimõis is a pioneer organisation in field of democratic education in Estonia.