Estonian Australians are invited to join the next Virtual Forum for Global Estonians titled “Home is calling!” (Kodu kutsub), hosted by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, 5 June 2025.
The program includes an impressive list of interesting talks, musical interludes, and importantly, a special video postcard from the Estonian community in Perth, which we’re excited about.
🕓 Broadcast at 16.00 Estonian time (you can also watch it later using the “join here” link below)
🕚 11.00 PM (AEST – Melbourne/Sydney/Canberra)
🗣️ The broadcast will be in Estonian with English translation provided.
Who is this for?
The forum will be streamed live from the Arvo Pärt Centre and is open to Estonians and friends of Estonia from all corners of the world. It will explore themes: Estonian culture, heritage, music, literature and nature – key pillars that continue to connect Estonians across generations and borders.
Why is this important?
This year is a particularly special one for Estonia, marked by major cultural milestones:
- The Song and Dance Celebration returns to bring communities together through tradition and performance.
- The XIII Global Estonian Days (ESTO 2025) will welcome diaspora Estonians to reconnect in Tallinn.
- Estonia celebrates the 90th birthday of composer Arvo Pärt, whose work has touched audiences globally.
- And we mark 500 years since the publication of the first book in Estonian language that is a moment of great historical and linguistic significance.
The forum offers an opportunity to hear from inspiring speakers and cultural voices, and to reflect on what keeps Estonian identity alive no matter where in the world we call home.
Program
(All times below in Estonian time.)
15:45 – Channel opens
16:00 – Opening remarks by moderator Ave-Marleen Rei
- Welcome address from Heidy Purga, Minister of Culture
- Interview with Anu Kivilo, Director of the Arvo Pärt Centre
- Stories from Estonians abroad
PRESERVING ESTONIAN CULTURE THROUGH SONG AND DANCE. This year, 64 Estonian performance groups from abroad have been accepted into the official Song and Dance Celebration.
- Agne Kurrikoff-Herman, folk dance leader and editor at the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration Foundation
- Hirvo Surva, choir conductor and Artistic Director of ESTO 2025
A GLIMPSE INTO THE ESTO 2025 YOUTH PROGRAM IN NARVA
MUSICAL INTERLUDE featuring compositions by Arvo Pärt
17:00 – …
VIDEO POSTARD FROM THE ESTONIAN COMMUNITY IN PERTH
500 YEARS OF THE ESTONIAN BOOK
SUMMER IN ESTONIA – WHAT’S ON?
From exhibitions on exile literature to e-book recommendations and contemporary Estonian writing.
- Jan Kaus, writer and essayist
SACRED NATURAL SITES IN ESTONIA
- Ahto Kaasik, folklorist and sacred site researcher, board member of Hiite Maja Foundation
CLOSING REFLECTIONS WITH MUSIC
- Indrek Laul, entrepreneur, pianist, and head of Estonian Piano Factory.
Broadcast links
You can watch the live stream using these links:
Facebook: 
https://fb.me/e/4wSbX6Cnv
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/CcLe9uV1k28
More information
📖 Virtual Forum for Global Global Estonians website
📺 Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Facebook page
Watch the promotional video below, courtesy of Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
