Urve Kilk

Urve Kilk (1937-2023) was a prominent Estonian folk dance teacher and cultural advocate, known for her dedication to preserving Estonian heritage in Ida-Virumaa. Born in Võrumaal, she spent over fifty years teaching Estonian language, literature, and folk dancing at Kohtla-Järve 1st secondary school. Kilk played a significant role in national dance festivals and created her own folk dances. Her contributions were recognized with numerous awards, including the Order of the White Star, and she was named an honorary citizen of Kohtla-Järve in 2013. A passionate supporter of Estonian-language education, she was vocal about the challenges facing the preservation of Estonian culture.