“Voices” is a poem by Kaja Weeks, an American of Estonian heritage, that celebrates Estonia’s ancestral rhythms, melodies and spirit in the context of Laulupidu, Estonia’s song festival. Born in the United States as the child of the Second World War refugees from Estonia, Kaja Weeks is the daughter of …
A newly-founded Estonian startup plans to open the first public smoke sauna in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, by the winter of 2018, and intends to introduce the Estonian sauna culture to more people around the world. The company, Estonian Saunas, was founded by Anni Oviir and Adam Rang from inside …
A company plans to launch the first public smoke sauna in Tallinn Read More »
A Kihnu-themed exhibition has opened in London, presenting images taken by the French photographer, Jérémie Jung, that portray the cultural heritage in the Estonian island. Since 2003, when UNESCO proclaimed Kihnu’s cultural space and traditions as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, an international interest in the island, …
Almost 40,000 young singers and dancers gathered to the Estonian capital to take part in the 12th Youth Song and Dance Celebration from 30 June – 2 July. The tradition of the Estonian song celebrations dates back to 1869 and has for long been among the most important ways to …
PICTURES: Estonia’s Youth Song and Dance Celebration 2017 Read More »
Estonian choirs from across Europe took part in a small Estonian song festival in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. By Rein Jüriado, Kaire van der Toorn-Guthan, Agnes Kuusik-Dijkstra. How do you best demonstrate to the world the significance of the longstanding tradition of Estonian song festivals? Three active ladies of Estonian heritage, …
A small Estonian song festival creates excitement in Amsterdam Read More »
In her first Independence Day speech as the Estonian president, Kersti Kaljulaid covered various topics, but spoke at length about the importance of preserving the Estonian language and culture as well as challenges facing the modern society. She also emphasised the opportunities a modern digital country like Estonia could make …
It’s been a long wait – 107 years, to be exact – but Estonia has finally opened its first national museum dedicated to the history, life and traditions of Estonians and other Finno-Ugric peoples. Built on the edge of Tartu on an abandoned Soviet airfield the Estonian National Museum, or Eesti …
Everything you ever wanted to know about Estonia’s most famous fashion. Rahvariided, translated literally as “clothes of the people”, are folk costumes, and they are probably the most well-known fashion to emerge from Estonia. Unless you count the presidential bow tie. But that’s another story for another day. A tradition centuries old, …
The Estonian American National Council has chosen the mother-daughter team of Lehti Merilo and Liina Merilo Teose as recipients of its 2016 Outstanding Achievement award in recognition for their work in promoting and preserving Estonian folk dance and music. Lehti Merilo and Liina Teose will be honored at the EANC’s …
Estonian-American mother-daughter team awarded for promoting Estonian folk dance Read More »
The London Estonian Society (LES) Folk Dance Group, led by Marje Viilu, surprised London with a spontaneous display of traditional dance in several locations, including the Trafalgar Square. By Sirje Viilu The London Estonian Society’s folk dance group recently showed off their skills and traditions of their home country in …
VIDEO: Estonian expats perform traditional folk dance at London’s Trafalgar Square Read More »