Eleven! That’s how many Australian Estonians landed on Estonia’s 2025 Folk Culture Awards shortlist. Here’s to the doers, fixers, bakers and teachers keeping the folk fires burning in the southern hemisphere.
Awards may last a night, but what they celebrate happens every week — in garages, kitchens, rehearsal halls and spreadsheets. This year, eleven Australian-Estonian names appeared among over a hundred nominations, proving that culture doesn’t fade with distance; it simply changes postcode.
At the ceremony in Viljandi, the Director of Eesti Rahvakultuuri Keskus (Estonian Folk Culture Centre) Kalle Vister put it beautifully: “It was heartening to see how strong the roots of folk culture remain among Estonians abroad. These nominations remind us that folk culture is not only our past but a joyful present, shaping a shared future.”
Estonia’s Folk Culture Awards 2025
The annual Rahvakultuuri auhinnad honour individuals and organisations whose work strengthens traditional arts, crafts, language and community life. Awards were presented in ten categories — Stories, Dance, Music, Folk Art, Handicrafts, Theatre, Language, Food, Traditions and Community Initiatives.
This year’s laureates included storyteller Jaak Känd, dance educators from Tallinna Männiku Lasteaed, musicians Kaarin Aamer and Jaanus Põlder, craft expert Inna Raud, theatre group Alle-Saija Teatritalu, language advocate Viiu Lepik, culinary heritage champion Pille Põld (Proua Rääbis), tradition keeper Ahto Kaasik, and community organiser Merike Puura.
We’re proud to say that one of these awards came all the way to Australia — to folk design artist extraordinaire Andres Truus (read more here).
The Australian nominees
Photos of some Australian-Estonian award nominees (from left): first photo – Madis Alvre (far left); second – Ella Scott with Virmalised at Laulupidu (centre); third – Elen Ellervee; final – Ave Nukki. Photos by Ave Nukki and Kristel Alla.
Here’s a glimpse into our Australian-Estonian nominees and a quote from each award nomination.
Andres Truus – a graphic design master creating visuals that tell our stories
The Brisbane designer who gives our community its visual voice. From festival logos to poster art and much more, his designs blend modern clarity with traditional soul. The Estonian Folk Culture Centre commended him on his Folk Art Award with the words:
“Thank you, Andres Truus, for giving the Australian Estonian community a unified face through graphic design, shaping its visual identity and carrying forward the spirit of folk art and the values of heritage.”
Maie Pikkat – a visionary collector preserving Estonia’s national costumes across Australia
Think museum curator meets fairy godmother. Maie hunts down Estonian national costumes across Australia, restores and catalogues them, then sends them out dancing again. Thanks to her, Sõrve kids and choirs don’t just sing heritage — they wear it.
“Thanks to Maie, our national costumes breathe again — in song, dance and children’s laughter, wherever Estonians gather,” said the nomination.
Madis Alvre – a master woodworker bringing Estonian patterns to life
Every carving starts with a story. Madis translates old Estonian symbols into timber so finely you half-expect them to hum. At multicultural festivals, he’s less “vendor” and more “storyteller with a toolbox”. His stall could double as the Estonian consulate of good taste.
“His stall is like a miniature Estonian embassy — warm, genuine and full of stories carved in wood.”
Anu Läänesaar – the golden-handed baker keeping traditions alive
Perth’s queen of kringel, Anu is a master baker whose baked goods carry both tradition and togetherness. Her workshops across Australia turn strangers into dough-covered friends.
As one nomination put it, “When Anu bakes, it isn’t just something delicious that comes from the oven — it’s something that connects people…the room fills first with aroma, then with belonging.”
Ella Scott – a passionate dance leader and culture bearer
Leader of folk dance group Virmalised and cultural heart of Sõrve, Ella transforms Monday-night practice into art that travels to Tantsupidu (Dance festival). She teaches steps, yes, but also confidence — the kind that makes a person stand taller in every sense.
“Step by step, Ella teaches not only dance but the pride and joy of being Estonian — even far from home.”
Elina Peedoson – guardian of Estonian language and culture in Australia
Gold Coast sunshine meets Estonian passion. Elina’s children’s groups, lending library and contributions to Jaanipäev are masterclasses in inclusion. Ask anyone who’s moved to Queensland and been instantly welcomed — odds are Elina was the first to greet them.
“Through Elina’s work, Estonian language and identity live on in every song, every book, and children’s laughter on the Gold Coast.”
Iti Connor – devoted leader of Estonian language and children’s activities
If Estonia had a Ministry of Children’s Voices, Iti would run it. She builds networks for early-years teachers across states, turning isolated playgroups into one national classroom — equal parts giggle, glue stick and grammar.
“Thanks to Iti, Estonian language learning is not a duty but a delight — something children experience with play and pride.”
Elen Ellervee – tireless keeper of Estonian language for kids in New South Wales
Elen’s commute would frighten most satnavs. She spends long hours on the road from Sydney ⇄ Newcastle so toddlers can sing in Estonian and say tere (hello), plus her legendary Sõrve energy. Elen shows that love for language can take you far — literally.
“Every kilometre she drives ensures that somewhere, a child will speak and understand Estonian with joy.”
Ave Nukki – visionary leader connecting communities through literature and language
Sydney’s powerhouse of possibilities, the President of Estonian Society in Sydney. Ave founded the Southern Hemisphere Book Club, linking readers from Perth to Auckland in live chats with Estonian authors. She doesn’t just talk about collaboration — she embodies and calendars it.
“Ave finds people’s strengths and turns them into collaboration — she doesn’t just lead, she lifts others to lead with her.”
Kristel Alla – storyteller helping many community voices be heard through HEIA
HEIA’s editor-in-chief of heart. Kristel’s stories spotlight the people who build, mend and make. Her writing turns newsletters into folk chronicles — part archive, part love letter to the community.
“Her writing isn’t just reporting — it’s the heartbeat of a community, turning everyday efforts into stories that shine.”
HEIA (Hello Estonians in Australia) – a digital folk house connecting Estonians nationwide
A volunteer-run digital folk house at eesti.org.au that connects over 30 cultural groups and thousands of readers. Imagine a national hall with open doors and excellent Wi-Fi — that’s HEIA.
“A volunteer-run platform that gives our dispersed community a single, shared home — a place where every voice can be heard.”
The golden thread
Nominations for awards like these are like community love letters with postage. They say, “We see the hours, the spreadsheets, the flour-dusted aprons, we know about the late-night lesson plans and midnight emails.” They whisper a quiet thank-you. Recognition reminds us why we keep showing up: because what we’re building matters.
Across this list of nominees runs a single thread — care turned into action. Some mend what’s fragile; others build what’s missing. Together they prove that heritage isn’t fragile at all. It’s elastic — able to stretch 15,000 kilometres without snapping.
As one nomination put it: “Each of them keeps something alive that might otherwise go quiet.”
That’s the quiet miracle of diaspora culture: it hums because people keep showing up.
To everyone who wrote nominations, hunted photos and said “We should put this forward” — aitäh! And to everyone reading — if there’s someone in your circle who’s keeping traditions alight (and possibly ironing costumes at midnight), tell them thank you now. Then tell the world when the next nominations open. And why not, join us and you could be the one nominated next time.
Recognition helps good work travel further — and our community has plenty worth exporting.
More information
Estonian Folk Culture Centre: rahvakultuur.ee
Watch the award ceremony: Rahvakultuuri auhinnad 2025
