Social studies classes in Estonian schools teach the principles of democracy and citizenship in detail. Yet knowledge by itself does not create active citizens or close gaps in civic skills between Estonian- and Russian-speaking students. A doctoral study by political scientist Nikolai Kunitsõn at Tallinn University finds that participatory theater can help close this gap.
Democracies worldwide face pressure from outside and inside. Open societies require citizens who have the abilities to take part in democratic life. Kunitsõn explored ways to better support the growth of such citizens, especially among young people in Russian-language schools, to reduce differences in democratic knowledge and civic skills.
Social studies lessons focus heavily on facts, while skill development receives less attention. Teachers enjoy wide freedom but also carry heavy responsibility, which can widen inequality in Russian-language schools.
Theoretical knowledge alone does not shape active citizens. Skills such as debating, handling disagreements and taking positions must be practiced. Kunitsõn suggests forum theater, a form of participatory theater, as a method that lets young people acquire these skills through play.
In forum theater, participants perform a real-life problem. The scene is repeated, and audience members may stop the action, replace a character and try a different solution. This allows anyone to alter the performance and offer their own approach. Young people can view situations from outside and test alternative outcomes.
Over nine months Kunitsõn ran workshops and shows with Russian speakers aged 14 to 21. Participants created stories from their own lives and performed them for peers. Changes appeared: students considered multiple viewpoints, recognized others’ emotions, solved problems more creatively and gained confidence, even on topics with fixed patterns.
Until now, theory suggested that schools could challenge entrenched beliefs, but no clear method existed. Kunitsõn shows that participatory theater can alter deep-seated thought and behavior patterns. This can reduce differences in democratic knowledge and civic skills between Estonian- and Russian-speaking youth.
The finding matters because civic skills affect overall social cohesion in Estonia. Switching to Estonian-language instruction alone will not create active citizens or close divides, Kunitsõn notes. Young people need practical chances to practice civic skills, and participatory theater offers an effective way to do so.
