New scholarship established by Maaja Vadi supports studying family history

The scholarship offers an opportunity to explore one’s roots and reflect on how family memory and experience shape an individual and the society more broadly.

According to Maaja Vadi, the idea of the scholarship grew out of her personal experience and family tradition. “I grew up in an environment where family history and relations were considered important,” she said. Vadi’s grandfather carefully kept a family tree reaching back to 1700, and his work was later continued by her mother, Lehti Lasn, who dedicated years to collecting family stories and information about relatives. “She did it consistently, accurately and with great dedication,” Vadi recalled. In memory of her mother’s work, and based on her own experience of studying her family history, the idea was born to support others who want to begin or continue exploring their family history.

Maaja Vadi believes that it is never too early or too late to start researching one’s family history. “All you need is some willingness and time to put together a more complete picture of your family story with your relatives,” she said. In her view, the true value of family history is not only in archival materials or documents, but also in the choices people make – in what they choose to remember and pass on. In doing so, they consciously shape a legacy that will reach future generations.

The scholarship is intended for all University of Tartu students and staff, regardless of their previous experience with family history research or academic background. The scholarship recipients may study their family tree, collect family memories, interview older relatives, or make a creative or documentary output that tells the family story. The scholarship allows recipients to approach this work in a more informed and thorough manner and use professional assistance or research tools, if necessary. According to Vadi, this enriches not only the scholarship recipients but also their families and society as a whole.

The first donations to the scholarship fund have already been made: Maaja Vadi’s students, colleagues, friends and relatives decided to contribute to the fund as a gift for her 70th birthday. “The amount exceeded my expectations many times. This is a wonderful present, and I am deeply grateful,” Vadi said.

Application for the Maaja Vadi scholarship is open until 1 April on the University of Tartu Foundation webpage.

Further information: 

Liisa Kuus
Marketing and Communications Manager, University of Tartu Foundation
liisa.kuus@ut.ee

Maaja Vadi
Founder of the scholarship fund, Professor of Management
maaja.vadi@ut.ee