Celebrating Local Traditions: Strengthening Social Resilience through Community Events in Peipsiääre

Jointly organised community events play an important role in strengthening social life in the Peipsiääre region. Last Saturday, 26 April 2025 three vibrant events took place in the municipality – number of lakeside villages along Lake Peipus joined forces to host the Sibulatee Fish Café Day (KALApuhvetite päev), the Open Fishing Harbours Day, and the Open Pantries Day. All events brought together the entire community, regardless of language or cultural background, contributing significantly to community cohesion.

Sibulatee Fish Café Day

The Fish Café Day is part of the Peipsiääre Culture and Resilience action plan as a BSR Cultural Pearl 2025. This event is a powerful expression of social resilience tapping into the region’s traditions and cultural heritage.

On this day, the yards and gardens along the Sibulatee (Onion Route) opened up to guests, offering menus rich in local flavours — the pop-up cafés served a wide variety of fish-based dishes making fish from Lake Peipus prominent. For children (and why not for adults) a fun hands-on workshop was held on how to plant onions Peipsiääre region is so famous for.

In the Kalamehe Farm located in the village of Nina a pop-up café was hosted by Larissa teaming up with her neighbour Inna. Local specialities were on the menu: fish and onion dumpling soup, pike shashlik, fish in white marinade, onion pies, sweet pastries, and various homemade juices. Inna also shared her famous cakes and preserves — including her award-winning onion jam from the Sibulatee region. This is one of the great examples of community and neighbour collaboration.

It’s worth mentioning that this year’s Fish Café Day came with especially wintry weather — very little warmth, several rounds of snow and hail, and a cutting north wind.  Despite the tough conditions, the café hosts stood strong, and visitors still came to enjoy the day.

At the same time two other important events took place – Open Fishing Harbours Day and Open Pantries Food Street.

Open Fishing Harbours Day

The nationwide Open Fishing Harbours Day taking place for the seventh time already invited visitors to explore local harbours and fishing traditions, taste fresh fish dishes, buy just-caught fish straight from the fishermen, and enjoy a variety of local fish products. Each harbour offered its unique programme, with activities for the whole family.

Open Pantries Day on Peipsi Food Street

This brand-new local food festival gives communities a chance to share everything they have in their pantries — representing their families, cultures, and local identity. Guests were welcomed by 31 unique pantries, stretching along the Peipis Lake from Pagar village to Setomaa.

Photo: Ahto Sooaru