Prof. Dr. Theda Rehbock's Susimetsa Philosophicum
The goal of the non-profit organization Prof. Dr. Theda Rehbock's Susimetsa Philosophicum (reg 80591506) is to establish the conditions for philosophical intellectual work, organize seminars, concerts, writing, language, and yoga camps in Susimetsa, as well as to research and promote Theda's philosophical legacy and develop Estonian-German cultural relations. The NGO has received moral support from the German Ambassador in Estonia, the Rector of the University of Tartu, and colleagues from the University of Konstanz and Tübingen.
Prof. Dr. Theda Rehbock's Susimetsa Philosophicum cooperates with the interdisciplinary Centre for Ethics and the Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics at the University of Tartu. The scholars in residence are welcome to present their research at the seminars of the Ethics Centre or of the Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics.
From Susimetsa Philosophicum to the Hundivõpsiku Writers’ Village
Theda Rehbock’s dream of Susimetsa as a place for philosophy, creative work and being together has come true. The Susimetsa Philosophicum, founded at her wish, runs an international philosophy residency programme. Including the residents accepted for the 2026/2027 academic year, the programme includes 64 philosophers from 18 countries; some of them will only arrive at Susimetsa next year. People come here to write, research, think and discuss, but also to enjoy nature, quiet and meeting like-minded people.
Susimetsa has developed a tradition of seminars and creative gatherings. Hospitals regularly hold two-day medical ethics seminars here, and there have been writing retreats, creative camps, research grant writing seminars and company development days. Several groups of philosophers from Germany, Sweden and Estonia have spent a whole week here, discussing planned books together and preparing grant applications. A design company from a neighbouring country also spent a whole week at Susimetsa, working on new ideas and projects away from its usual office. These experiences show that Susimetsa suits both short seminars and longer periods of work and creativity.
Susimetsa is becoming a writers’ village – a place with time both for being on your own and for meeting others. Here you can immerse yourself in your work, read and write, exchange thoughts, have inspiring conversations and plan new ideas and ventures. The small forest cabins planned at the edge of the forest will give the idea of the writers’ village a physical form: everyone can find a place of their own while remaining part of a shared setting.
Susimetsa is also open to families, groups of friends and work teams. It is a place for company summer days, milestone birthdays, small weddings and other gatherings. The private forest estate, cosy houses, fireplace salon, party tent, saunas, hot tubs and swimming pond make it possible to combine meaningful activity with rest and the joy of being together.
In this way, the story Theda began continues at Susimetsa. The Philosophicum was born of philosophical thought, but it is open to everyone who values good conversations, new ideas, nature and time spent together.
Read more about the residency programme and our residents →
Who was Theda Rehbock?
27.8.1957-2.1.2021
Theda Imke Rehbock (1957–2021) was a German philosopher and bioethicist. She was a visiting professor at Harvard, Tartu and Dresden and a professor of ethics in Bochum. The Susimetsa Philosophicum was founded at her wish.