Roven Jõekäär Queer folklore

Queer folklore is a view of history that has not been written down. Due to one reason or another, queer people, i.e. sexual and gender minorities, have had to cover or hide their stories. Using the limited sources of history that remain, a past can be recreated through speculation where people were accepted and safely protected. Ethnological symbols are given new meanings through communally dyed “quilts” and illustrations, where embracing swords and hidden feelings can shine colourfully. The project started with a queer retelling of the Estonian epic “Kalevipoeg”, which through naïve and colourful illustrations, now includes the presentation of queer stories from throughout Estonia.

Roven Jõekäär (born 1998) is a graphic designer and artist who is currently doing their master’s studies in visual communication at Aalto University, in Helsinki. Growing up in Viljandi, surrounded by rich tradition and history, the artist developed an interest in folklore at a young age. “Kväär Kalevipoeg,” completed in 2020 as a graphic design bachelor’s thesis of the Estonian Academy of Arts, combines Estonian ethnology with the so far untold stories of queer people. The project has now grown beyond the epic, shedding light on stories and texts throughout Estonian folklore and history. Jõekäar’s works have been exhibited all over Estonia at Fotokuu in Tallinn, Rüki Gallery in Viljandi, Võru Showcase and more. His work has won several awards in the field of design, including the internationally recognized European Design Award.