Transborder Routes and Rituals: Between Global, Local and Niche

Abstract

Setomaa is a region where borders, identity, and place intersect in complex and dynamic ways. Historical shifts in political borders have deeply influenced cultural practices, social memory, and everyday life. At the same time, the Seto community has demonstrated remarkable resilience, maintaining and reinterpreting its identity through language, religion, and cultural expression.

In the contemporary context, tourism – especially in its slow form – offers both opportunities and challenges for different niche experiences. It provides a means of sustaining local economies and promoting cultural visibility, while also requiring careful balance to avoid commodification. When approached thoughtfully, slow tourism can support the preservation of Seto identity by fostering meaningful encounters between visitors and local culture.

The article describes legends, rituals (Malyi/Myla, Värska, Saatse) and newly invented events that exemplify how peripheral regions can become central in understanding the relationship between place, memory, and identity.