Earlier this year, our Development Officer Morna travelled to Estonia to take part in a two-day accessibility-focused hackathon (Kultuurihäkatoni), which brought together theatre practitioners, researchers, producers, choreographers and disabled activists to imagine new ways of creating work that centres accessibility.

This event was organised by Keiu Verro as part of her PhD at Tallin University and took place at Ugala Theater in Viljandi, Estonia.

One of the highlights of the trip was the opportunity to connect with people from across the Estonian cultural sector. Conversations ranged from discovering that one of the event’s access consultants has a Scottish pub in their hometown (with Morna enthusiastically recommending haggis!) to learning more about Estonia’s cultural identity. Discussions often returned to the country’s deep connection to forests and nature, and the ways that Estonia’s post-Soviet history continues to shape contemporary life and culture.

The hackathon itself was an intensive two-day event designed to generate new ideas and approaches. Participants were put into groups and challenged to develop concepts for performances which had accessibility at its core. Six mentors supported the process, including three UK specialists in accessible theatre and three Estonian specialists in co-creation.

The programme began with presentations and a keynote address from the Estonian Minister for Culture before groups began developing their ideas. On the second day, participants presented their concepts to the groups, sharing a wide range of creative responses to the challenge.

Morna also reflected on how, as in other international settings, she found it easier to follow sign language than spoken languages she didn’t understand. It was another example of how accessibility can create unexpected opportunities for connection across cultures.

One conversation that particularly stayed with Morna, was learning that there are currently no professional disabled actors working in Estonia. While the context is undoubtedly complex, it emphasised the importance of creating training and development opportunities for disabled people across a range of creative roles and disciplines.

The ideas generated during the hackathon were ambitious, imaginative and varied. They ranged from practical service-based solutions and Deaf comedy performances to multi-sensory, multi-location experiences. Some projects incorporated digital technologies, others took audiences outdoors, but all shared a commitment to celebrating diversity and ensuring disabled voices remained central to the creative process.

Alongside the creative work, the event offered valuable opportunities to build new relationships and connections with potential future collaborators. These international exchanges provide important spaces for sharing knowledge, learning from different contexts and developing partnerships that may lead to future projects.

At the end of the event, Morna received some really thoughtful gifts from the organisers, including a book which explores storytelling in countries affected by trauma, with a focus on Estonia and neighbouring regions.

One participant described Estonia as being at the “baby steps” stage of its accessibility journey. While acknowledging the challenges that remain, Morna came away feeling optimistic. The enthusiasm, creativity and determination she encountered throughout the event demonstrated a genuine appetite for change and a commitment to making accessible culture a reality.

As with so many international exchanges, the experience was a reminder that progress doesn’t happen overnight. But when you come together as a group of people who are passionate, collaborative and willing to learn from one another, meaningful change becomes possible.