Over a month has passed since Eesti Päevad, 27–31 December 2024, yet I still can’t shake it from my mind. Do you want to know why that is?
Over a month has passed since Eesti Päevad, 27–31 December 2024, yet I still can’t shake it from my mind. The exhaustion has faded, the hangovers are gone, and life is back to normal – but the warmth of those days lingers. And no, its not just Adelaide’s summer heat. (Despite warnings that I might need to cool off in a fridge between dance performances, the weather was actually quite friendly).
A festival like no other
As a first-time attendee, I didn’t know what to expect. How would I describe it? Like gathering 200 of my closest friends to celebrate life, culture and each other. Eesti Päevad wasn’t just an event – it was a feeling, a family, a whirlwind of connection that left me somehow more alive.
Set against breathtaking backdrops, from wineries to botanical gardens to the welcoming Estonian House in Adelaide, the festival was more than just a celebration; it was a reconnection with culture, nature and community, a rewiring of sorts to what felt right. Trying to describe Eesti Päevad is like capturing the feeling being hugged by your best friend, dancing with a stranger you somehow already know, or watching the sunrise beside someone who just might be your forever.
It’s about how they make you feel (about you)
Over five days, it was as if a lifetime of love, friendship and joy was squeezed into one festival. Every moment felt like a dance – two steps forward, one step back, and a twirl into conversations that linger long after the final curtain falls. At Eesti Päevad, the old and the new meet on the dance floor and somehow move in perfect step. Warm hugs, knowing smiles, and an unspoken sense of belonging were everywhere.
A smorgasbord of experiences on offer
There was something for everyone: dancers in motion, children running wild with laughter, choirs harmonising with passion, poets and musicians like Kristiina Ehin and Silver Sepp weaving magic with words and rhythms. Conversations about Estonian identity in Australia flowed as freely as the drinks at the bar. And then there were the chance encounters – the kind that leave you wondering if you’ve just met someone who will change your life…
A word of warning…
A word of warning – Eesti Päevad isn’t just an event. It changes you, making you a little more connected, a little more yourself. That was my experience. Clearly, I’m biased – I had an amazing time. But don’t take my word for it. The next festival is in Sydney, 8–11 April 2027. They don’t hand out experiences like this too often, so start planning now!
Until next time!
A huge thank you to everyone who made it so special! It was wonderful to meet you and thank you for sharing your stories! If you want to relive the magic, check out the photos and videos on the Eesti Päevad Facebook page (linked here). Until next time, my friends!
Acknowledgements
This article first appeared in Teateleht, the Melbourne Estonian Society newsletter, published 17 February 2025.
