EN
The article gives an overview of folklore collecting in Estonia throughout times, on the example of the activity of folklore collectors in one of the regions – Virumaa. The collection work grew out of the pursuits of German-origin intellectuals in the early 19th century and, on the initiative of Jakob Hurt, Matthias Johann Eisen, and some others, evolved into an all-Estonian undertaking involving many active people. Irrespective of the state order and hard times, folklore material has consistently been collected in Estonia in collaboration of professionals and voluntary contributors.