Estonian culture in the world.
Doris Kareva has been writing poetry since the 1960s and her numerous books have won acclaim in Estonia and beyond. Kareva‘s poetry has been translated into over 18 languages, making her one of Estonia’s most internationally prominent poets. Her poetry is highly personal, yet speaks to universal themes connecting the human experience with nature and metaphysics. In […]
Estonia’s global poet: Doris Kareva Read More »
“Love in the 21st Century”, an exhibition by the Estonian Lithography Centre, displayed the works of eleven renowned Estonian contemporary artists: Kadri Alesmaa, Peeter Allik, Toomas Altnurme, Merike Estna, Kadri Kangilaski, Laurentsius, Marko Mäetamm, Mall Nukke, Reiu Tüür, Jaak Visnap and Jasper Zoova. The Estonian Lithography Centre and Kristi Roosmaa Tootell, the cultural affairs coordinator at
“Love in the 21st Century” – three days of Estonian art in New York City Read More »
The programme of the Mozartwoche (Mozart week), held in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birthplace of Salzburg, Austria from 23 January to 2 February has a special focus on the Estonian composer, Arvo Pärt, this year, premiering his latest work, “Swan Song”. At a total of six concerts during the Mozartwoche, a considerable number of Pärt’s works
Arvo Pärt premieres his latest work at Salzburg’s Mozartwoche Read More »
On 21 January, acclaimed Estonian poets Doris Kareva and Jürgen Rooste presented their recently completed collaborative work “Dance of Life” before an international audience at the Estonian Embassy in London. The book, written over a two-year period, contains 24 dialogues or ‘dances’ between ordinary individuals and a personified ‘life’. The poets explained that this was
Estonian conductor Tõnu Kaljuste has won a Grammy Award in the Best Choral Performance category for his work on composer Arvo Pärt’s album “Adam’s Lament” at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. “Adam’s Lament” was recorded with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, the Sinfonietta Riga, the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, the Latvian Radio Choir and the
As part of the London A Cappella Festival, on 22 January the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir performed “An Eastern Vigil”, at LSO St Luke’s, conducted by Daniel Reuss, accompanied by Gilad Atzmon, which included works by Pärt, Rachmaninov and others. There are no better words than “solemn” and “mysterious” with which to describe An Eastern Vigil, the opening
Review: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir at LSO St Luke’s in London Read More »
The time is “present day”. Russia’s president is a former KGB officer who uses phrases like “The fall of the Soviet Union was one of the greatest tragedies of the last century”. The modern reincarnation of the KGB – the FSB – is all-powerful in Russia. Businesses are “nationalised” – which is “new-speak” for stealing
Book review: When Russia invaded Estonia – and Jack Ryan saved it Read More »
Estonian composer Arvo Pärt has, for the third year running, been given the title of the “world’s most performed living composer” by the classical music event database, bachtrack.com. Placing 38th in the overall composers’ ranking, Pärt was ranked higher than his two principal competitors, Scottish composer James Macmillan, who came 45th, and veteran film music
Arvo Pärt world’s most performed composer for third year running Read More »
Choosing an Estonian song of the year was never going to be an easy task. The fact that the Estonian music scene is so broad and varied only adds further to this complication. So in order to spare some of the agony (or risk alienating half of our readers), we’ve decided not to opt for
Estonian World’s Songs of the Year 2013 Read More »
An Estonian literary classic, Anton Hansen Tammsaare’s “Truth and Justice” is going to be published in English for the first time. While Estonia has in the last few years become internationally better known for its musical heritage, its literature is almost unheard of – simply because so little has been published in English, the most
Estonian literary classic Truth and Justice to be published in English Read More »
