Grab your needles, folks — the legendary “Estonian Book 500” tapestry (piltvaip) has arrived in Sydney straight from Estonia. Now it’s our turn to add stitches to this 3-metre tapestry of literary history before it returns home by March 2026.
It’s the tapestry that travels and tells stories.
The Eesti Raamat 500 (“500 Years of the Estonian Book”) tapestry celebrates five centuries of Estonian written culture — from the first printing press in Tartu to the rise of modern literature. Designed by students from the Pallas University of Applied Sciences under the guidance of textile artists Aet Ollisaar and Marju Roos, the digitally printed design is hand-embroidered across Estonia and now the world.
Since its ceremonial first stitches in Tartu — made by textile legend Anu Raud and Estonia’s First Lady Sirje Karis — the tapestry has travelled from library to library across Estonia, and even across oceans. Toronto’s Estonian community picked up their 5-metre section in May, and now Sydney’s three-metre segment (covering scenes from 1778 to 1869) has arrived via diplomatic post for its next colourful chapter.
Pitch in and stitch in
The Sydney Estonian Handicraft Society (Sydney Eesti Seltsi Kunsti, Käsitöö ja Etnograafia Ring) and the Estonian Society of Sydney invite all hands (steady or not!) to help embroider the tapestry at Sydney Estonian House, 141 Campbell St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
📅 Sunday 26 October 2025, 10 am – 2 pm
☕ Free tea and coffee provided — please bring a plate of snacks to share.
No experience needed — just enthusiasm. Everyone’s welcome — pros, beginners, or those who just fancy a cuppa and some good company.
The stitches used are simple and creativity is encouraged. All supplies will be provided, so you only need to bring your good cheer and helping hands.
Storytelling with thread
This is storytelling with thread. Each stitch honours 500 years of Estonian language, literature and learning — the books that have carried light, knowledge and freedom across generations. When complete, the 17-metre tapestry will join the collection of the Estonian National Museum as a record of global participation — including contributions from the Australian Estonian community.
Want to learn more?
Eesti Raamatu Aasta 2025 official page
Facebook: Raamatuaasta vaiba tikkimine
Watch: How to stitch the tapestry (video)
Acknowledgement
With thanks to Ave Nukki for sharing helpful information and Esmée Okamoto for her great photos.
Sydney Estonian Handicrafts Society members showing off the section of the Estonian tapestry they’ll be working on. Photo by Esmée Okamoto.
