News and features about global Estonians and estophiles
Ilon Wikland, an Estonian-Swedish artist and illustrator, renowned for her illustrations for the world-famous Swedish children author, Astrid Lindgren, is celebrating her 95th birthday on 5 February. On 5 February, the Estonian artist residing in Stockholm, Ilon Wikland, will be celebrating her 95th birthday. The hard-working and talented woman can look back with satisfaction at her […]
Ilon Wikland is in the hearts of Estonians Read More »
Kadri Hirvesaar, an Estonian set designer based in Milan, Italy’s fashion capital, collaborates with renowned brands and figures like Stanley Tucci, Auricchio, Pasta Garofalo, and Armani; Alina Birjuk caught up with her to discuss her life and work in her vibrant, creative Milanese home. How did you discover Italy? I was originally studying architecture at
Kadri Hirvesaar: Estonian designer thrives in Milan’s fashion scene Read More »
Robert Marrandi is successfully selling Estonian rye bread at his bakery in Florence, Italy, to locals who have grown to love it; Alina Birjuk caught up with Marrandi to find out more about his career in Italy and the Wild Buns Bakery. A longer interview and more pictures can be found on Alina Birjuk’s website. How
Robert Marrandi brings traditional Estonian rye bread to Italy Read More »
On 29 March 2024, the former president and foreign minister, Lennart Meri, would’ve celebrated his 95th birthday; a Statesman with a capital S, he’s one of the founding fathers of the Estonian post-occupation success story, and one of the politicians in Estonia that everybody truly respected.* My best friend celebrates his birthday on 29 March,
Lennart Meri, the president many loved, and everybody respected Read More »
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it is worth taking a look at the stories of two strong and highly influential women who played leading roles in the Estonian women’s rights movement in the 19th and 20th centuries. It took decades of political struggle to gain the right to vote for Estonian women, and this
The very first Estonian feminists – Lilli Suburg and Marie Reisik Read More »
Estonian World talked to Marita Liivak, a young rising star of the Estonian art scene; her latest exhibition, “Lasnamäe – Beginnings and Endings”, is inspired by the infamous Tallinn neighbourhood. Marita Liivak studied at Tartu Pallas Art School and the Accademia di Belle Arti Catania, in Sicily, Italy. She has developed her own particular style
Marita Liivak paints Lasnamäe Read More »
Three heirs of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire – Lachlan, James and Elisabeth Murdoch – and their mother Anna Torv, the daughter of an Estonian tailor Jakob Tõrv, can track their family history to the Tõrvanõmme farm in Estonia’s Pärnu County. In the wake of the news that Lachlan Murdoch, the eldest son of the media
How an Estonian tailor’s daughter became a key player in Rupert Murdoch’s media empire Read More »
Lachlan Murdoch, the eldest son of the media magnate Rupert Murdoch, will become the chairman of News Corp, one of the largest mass media corporations in the world; Lachlan’s mother is Anna Maria dePeyster, a daughter of an Estonian merchant seaman Jakob Tõrv – thus making Lachlan an Estonian, too. Lachlan Murdoch is set to
Estonian World talked to Teele Dunkley, a UK-based Estonian filmmaker, about her life and work and her upcoming movie project, “The Secret Folk Dancer” – a film about the Estonian-Filipino Rein, who discovers a group of Estonian folk dancers practising in London, and joins them in secret, knowing that his cool skateboarding friends would not
Filmmaker Teele Dunkley: For Estonians, folk dancing is part of their fibre Read More »
Anett Kontaveit, the most successful Estonian tennis player ever, is forced into early retirement due to a medical condition; the former world number two will play her final professional tennis tournament in Wimbledon. Kontaveit announced on 20 June that she’s ending her career as a competitive athlete. “After several doctor’s visits and consultations with my
Estonian tennis player Anett Kontaveit forced into early retirement Read More »
