Menu
Book Your Stay

The call for applications for philosophy residency is closed for 2024. Click here for more information.

The call for applications for philosophy residency is now open for 2024/25. Click here for more information.

Postgraduate Seminar in Tartu for Susimetsa Residents (April 1-2, 2025)

On April 1-2, 2025, the Department of Philosophy and the Centre for Ethics at the University of Tartu, along with Susimetsa Philosophicum, will host a postgraduate seminar. During this event, postgraduate students and early-career researchers in residence at Susimetsa in March and April will meet with PhD students and faculty members from the University of Tartu's Department of Philosophy. The seminar will feature presentations, discussions on each other's research projects, and opportunities to explore potential collaborations.

Residents of Susimetsa will have the chance to get acquainted with the University of Tartu, learn about the research conducted by the Department of Philosophy, and experience the value-based games developed by the Centre for Ethics. Joint discussions and excursions to the University of Tartu Library and museums will provide a deeper insight into Estonian culture.
 
Workshop schedule linked HERE.

Prof. Dr. Theda Rehbock’s Susimetsa Philosophicum Residency Programmes

The aim of the residency programme is to offer a retreat from social obligations. The spacious villa, surrounded by a beautiful garden, private lake and sauna is at the resident’s disposal. Susimetsa offers both old-world charm and modern comfort. The peace, the beauty of nature and the cultural richness of books, art and music make Susimetsa the perfect place for a cultural retreat.

As Socrates already pointed out, philosophy is not only a theoretical discourse but a way of life that helps us to live a good life. Good life is a reflected life.

During the chosen residency period, the resident is welcome to live in the Susimetsa villa and enjoy activities such as reading, writing, contemplating, music-making, yoga, working, taking leisurely walks in the garden, relaxing in the sauna, swimming in the lake, and biking.

Susimetsa Philosophicum welcomes guests from all over the world to contemplate life and find inspiration!

Philosophy Colloquium at the University of Tartu

The Susimetsa residents will have the opportunity to present their research findings at the University of Tartu's Philosophy Colloquium. The colloquium is organized by the University of Tartu's Department of Philosophy, the Centre for Ethics, Susimetsa Philosophicum, and the Estonian Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (EXAI).
University of Tartu (Photo credit: Ragnar Vutt)

Awarded residencies

How to Apply for Residency

There are two types of residency available:

Susimetsa Philosophicum welcomes applicants from all over the world who want to come to Susimetsa to practice philosophy as a way of life and dedicate their time to crafting a philosophical paper or advancing work on a book.

Our preference is inclined towards applicants interested in delving into Theda Rehbock’s works and manuscripts, or those engaged in research related to her areas of focus. These areas encompass a wide range of philosophical themes, including philosophy as a way of life, moral autonomy, human dignity, paternalism, doctor-patient relationships, respecting the will of mentally ill persons, living will and advanced directive for medical decisions; the pursuit of good life and death, theory of emotions, human nature, education, language and ethics, the philosophical critique of the world-view of natural sciences; Goethe’s theory of colours.

The scholarship covers all costs regarding residency at the Susimetsa villa. Residents are responsible for their own transportation and food during the residency. Please be aware that this residency is intended for residents only and does not include provisions for extra guests. If you plan to bring any additional individuals or pets, an extra fee will be applicable.

The applicant has the freedom to choose the time and duration of the residency, which can be anywhere between 1 to 4 weeks from November to April. Each year up to 8 scholarships are awarded. We are also open to group applications.

To apply, submit your project description (3 pages) and your academic CV by October 15th to the following email address: info@susimetsa.ee

Self-funded residents are welcome to Susimetsa to enjoy solitude, uninterrupted time, and inspiring rural landscape, while completing research and writing projects in their particular areas of expertise and special interest.

The self-funded residency is available for both individuals and small groups, and we welcome applications from everyone. Additionally, we offer the option to organize writing retreats. The pricing varies based on the number of participants and the season. Please refer to our price list for more details.

To apply for the self-funded residency, please fill in this application form and send it to info@susimetsa.ee

14.04.2024: Call for Proposals for Theda Rehbock’s Philosophy Residency in Susimetsa, Estonia

The call for proposals for 2024/2025 is now closed.

The deadline for applying for a philosophy residency (1-4 weeks) was October 15th, 2024.

We extend a warm invitation to individuals from across the globe to seek this unique opportunity for a retreat in Susimetsa, near Pärnu, Estonia. Here, you can dedicate your time to crafting a philosophical paper or advancing work on a book, all while residing in the villa owned by the German philosopher and bioethicist, Theda Rehbock. Her villa is currently overseen by the nonprofit organization known as “Prof. Dr. Theda Rehbock’s Susimetsa Philosophicum”. You are also welcome to make contact with the Centre for Ethics or the Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics at Tartu University.

Our preference is inclined towards applicants interested in delving into Theda Rehbock’s (27.08.1957-02.01.2021) works and manuscripts (Nachlass), or those engaged in research related to her areas of focus. These areas encompass a wide range of philosophical themes, including philosophy as a way of life, moral autonomy, human dignity, paternalism, doctor-patient relationships, respecting the will of mentally ill persons, living will and advanced directive for medical decisions; the pursuit of good life and death, theory of emotions, human nature, education, language and ethics, the philosophical critique of the world-view of natural sciences; Goethe's theory of colours.

The aim of the residency programme is to offer a retreat from social obligations. The spacious villa with a philosophical library (most of the books are in German, some in English), surrounded by a beautiful garden, private lake, and sauna is at the resident’s disposal. Susimetsa offers both old-world charm and modern comfort. The peace, the beauty of nature and the cultural richness of books make Susimetsa the perfect place for a cultural retreat.

The applicant has the freedom to choose the time and duration of the residency, which can be anywhere between 1 to 4 weeks from November 2024 to April 2025. Each year up to 8 scholarships are awarded. We are also open to group applications.

The scholarship covers all costs regarding residency at the Susimetsa villa. Residents are responsible for their own transportation and food during the residency. The nearest supermarket is situated 5 km away, and the closest cafe-bakery is just 1.7 km away. Susimetsa is 16 km from Pärnu, 162 km from Tartu, 142 km from Tallinn, and 178 km from Riga.

Please be aware that this residency is intended for residents only and does not include provisions for extra guests. If you plan to bring any additional individuals or pets, an extra fee will be applicable.


How to apply?

Kindly submit your project description (3 pages) and your academic CV by October 15th, 2024 to the following email address: info@susimetsa.ee


P.S. The self-funded residencies (1-8 weeks) are available for scholars and artists from all over the world during the whole year. https://susimetsa.ee/book-your-stay/

Additionally, we offer the option to organize small workshops or writing retreats in Susimetsa. https://susimetsa.ee/events/

Prof. Margit Sutrop
Board member of the non-profit organization „Prof. Dr. Theda Rehbocki Susimetsa Philosophicum“