Every Estonian knows that breakfast starts with bread — and not just any bread. Proper rye bread — the kind that smells amazing, holds its crust in any weather, and stays the taste of home no matter how far you wander.
This week, Estonia is giving that humble hero its due. From 6–12 October 2025, the country celebrates Bread Week, honouring leib — the one food no Estonian childhood, picnic or president can do without. But this year, the celebration comes with a twist of national pride: a formal proposal submitted to have Eesti rukkileib (Estonian rye bread) recognised as a Protected Designation of Origin across the European Union (kaitstud päritolunimetusega toode).
That means only bread baked in Estonia, from locally grown rye, milled flour and proper sourdough starter, could proudly call itself Eesti rukkileib. It’s the bread equivalent of heritage status — crust and all.
An old tradition fresh out of the oven
Bread Week officially began when Uno Kaldmäe, president of the Estonian Bread Union, carried a warm loaf — affectionately named Bruno — to President Alar Karis in Kadriorg. The tradition has continued for 27 years, a symbolic handover celebrating both gratitude for the harvest and respect for bread as a national symbol. This year’s loaf, baked by Hiiumaa Pagar, channels the flavour of old Borodino bread, with a hint of coriander for personality.
All week, bakeries, schools and kindergartens are getting their hands floury, hosting bread-themed workshops, tastings and lessons in the ancient art of rising dough. Meanwhile, students in Tartu are showing that bread can be both sustainable and stylish, reusing old loaves in new recipes and introducing visitors to bread traditions from around the world.
President of Estonia, Alar Karis, receiving a gift of bread from the President of the Estonian Bread Union, Uno Kaldmäe. Source: Vabariigi Presidendi Kantselei.
More than food — it’s the flavour of belonging
For Estonians, bread isn’t just a staple — it’s a symbol of continuity and belonging. It’s the smell of those lazy Sunday brekkies with family around the table, the taste of home after a long trip, the quiet heartbeat of everyday life.
As Eesti rukkileib moves toward official recognition in Europe, Bread Week reminds everyone that this isn’t just about a loaf — it’s about who we are and where we come from.
From 14–16 November 2025, the Estonian Language Camp for Children and Families is back at Anglesea YMCA Discovery Camp in Victoria — and this year promises even more culture, fun and seaside shenanigans.
Forget classrooms — this is camp! The best way to learn about your culture and language is by living it — singing songs under the gum trees, weaving crafty treasures, strolling sandy beaches, and battling it out in the kind of “Olympic Games” where kids usually outrun their parents (again) and referees hover with red cards at the ready. Add bonfires, good food, and plenty of Estonian words slipping into conversations — sometimes on purpose, sometimes by accident.
Everyone’s welcome — whether you’re fluent in Estonian, know a few words, or just enjoy the sound of vowels you can’t quite pronounce. The point is to have fun together and give kids a chance to hear and use Estonian in the wild (gum trees count as the wild, right?).
📅 Friday to Sunday, 14–16 November 2025 📍 Anglesea YMCA Discovery Camp, 1535 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea VIC 3230 🎟 Tickets close 30 October 2025: Grab yours here 👉 Information or special arrangements? Email info[at]melbourneestoniansociety.com
The details (a.k.a. excuses to pack your bags)
Kids (16 & under) join for free — no excuses, bring the whole gang.
Adults can grab a single ticket or a family pass. Concessions available.
Curious? Pop down on Saturday to see what all the fuss is about.
Back in 2024, the inaugural camp set the tone — everyone left sandy, tired, marshmallow-sticky and unanimous: so much fun! Highlights? The Olympic Games, where kids obliterated their parents in obstacle courses and football matches, beach adventures with bonus seashell collections, arts and crafts in Estonian colours, and marshmallow bonfires that turned chilli nights into warm memories.
Children proudly marched away with printed medals and camp T-shirts, parents limped away with sore legs and full hearts, and everyone agreed: best idea ever!
The Melbourne Estonian Society can’t wait to do it all again. So polish your marshmallow stick, practise your Macarena, and pack an extra pair of socks — we’ll see you by the campfire in November.
Read more
Read more about what happened at the camp last year here:
This camp is supported by the Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia, the Institute of the Estonian Language (Eesti Keele Instituut), the Estonian Integration Foundation (Eesti Integratsiooni Sihtasutus), and the Melbourne Estonian Society.
Anne and Kati-Rose from Baltic Folk with H.E. Jaan Reinhold. Photo from the private collection of Jaan Reinhold.
This weekend the Sydney Baltic Markets transformed the Latvian House into a buzzing hub of Baltic culture, crafts and community. The day also included a tour of the Latvian House archives and library, and speeches from the Baltic ambassadors — read the full text of Estonian Ambassador Jaan Reinhold’s address below.
Organised by the Latvian Society and supported by the Estonian and Lithuanian communities, the event drew crowds eager to browse handmade jewellery, try Baltic treats, and enjoy wonderful performances from choirs and folk dancers.
Estonian stalls stood out with beautifully presented products and flavours of home — from rye bread, kohupiimakook and teekook to smoked sausage, pirukad and folk-inspired jewellery. Visitors could also find Latvian and Lithuanian favourites, from beetroot soup, Karums kohukesed to apple strudel. And for those seeking a stronger taste of home, Estonian alcoholic beverages — beers, longero and Vana Tallinn.
The day was made special by great performances: Estonian Virmalised folk dancers and the Kooskõlas choir performed alongside Latvian and Lithuanian groups. The Baltic ambassadors joined the celebrations and toured the Estonian stalls, giving vendors the chance to share their work and stories. Estonian Society of Sydney President Ave Nukki summed up the atmosphere simply: “Excellent event! Väga tore üritus oli!”
Adding to the sense of occasion, Ambassador of Estonia to Australia Jaan Reinhold delivered a warm and thoughtful address to the gathered community.
Madis Alvre, Jaan Reihold and Tiina Alvre. Baltic markets in Sydney, 27 September 2025. Photo by Ave Nukki.
Welcoming address by the Estonian Ambassador Jaan Reinhold at the Sydney Baltic Markets, 27 September 2025.
Dear friends,
It is a great honour to join you here today at the Sydney Baltic Markets. My warm thanks go to Latvian Society for hosting us in this beautiful Latvian House, and to my Latvian and Lithuanian colleagues for this joint effort in representing our shared Baltic spirit.
We, the Baltic nations, have always been known for our energy and determination to work hard and build. This was true when we first created our modern economies after independence, and again when we rebuilt them after regaining our independence.
The same spirit carried our compatriots who left Europe after the Second World War and started new lives in faraway places, including here in Australia. They brought skills, resilience and entrepreneurship with them, and that legacy continues to shine in our communities today.
I am proud to note that Australia is home to one of the few Estonian Chambers of Commerce established outside Estonia, a living example of how entrepreneurial spirit turns into concrete partnerships and opportunities.
H.E. Jaan Reihold speaking at the Baltic markets in Sydney, 27 September 2025. Photo from the private collection of Jaan Reinhold.
But alongside enterprise, we are also peoples of culture, handicraft and tradition. This market shows it so well: every stall and product, every performance tells a story about our heritage. Through them, you bring Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania closer to Australia. It is very rewarding to see how our culture, preserved across generations, becomes part of the rich mosaic of Australian society, which itself is built on diversity and strong diasporas.
And yet, there is something more – the Baltic spirit. A spirit that united us when we fought for our independence, and that continues today as we stand with those whose struggle is our own. Today, this means Ukraine. Ukraine is fighting not only for its survival, but for the very values of freedom and dignity that we share.
I want to express my deep gratitude to our Baltic communities here in Australia. Across this country: in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and beyond, you have stood up for Ukraine with passion and dedication: organising rallies, raising awareness, providing humanitarian aid, and keeping the cause alive in the public conscience. You honour our history and you show the world that solidarity is not an abstract word, it is lived action.
On a personal note, I was born in an Estonian town close to the Latvian border, and my first diplomatic posting was to Lithuania. So today, among all of you, I truly feel at home – as an Estonian, yes, but also as a proud representative of Baltic nation.
Let me close by thanking everyone who has worked so hard to make this event possible, especially our Latvian friends. I am delighted to see so many entrepreneurial Estonians here too. Please keep this tradition going – it strengthens our bonds, showcases our heritage, and keeps alive the good spirit of three close nations in this generous country we now call home.
I wish you all a joyful day here at the Sydney Baltic Markets. Aitäh, paldies, ačiū!
Acknowledgement
With thanks to Ambassador Jaan Reinhold for sharing his speech and photos, and to Ave Nukki for providing information and photos from the markets.
Estonia’s beaches are famed for their wild beauty — and some hide a secret. Under the right conditions, the sand itself begins to “sing”, a mystery filmmaker Aare Baumer explores in his new documentary Seitse liiva (Seven Sands), premiering at the Matsalu Nature Film Festival.
The sands literally squeak or hum when touched, walked on, or shifted by the wind. What makes it enchanting is how pure and delicate the sound is. Each grain resonates with its neighbour, creating a natural chorus that scientists still don’t fully understand.
However, sand can have stage fright. Apparently, sand won’t sing just because you ask nicely. Aare Baumer found out the hard way. He has been chasing this strange natural phenomenon for three years.
For sand to sing, the surface temperature has to be above 26°C, the air humidity below 60 percent, and you need grains that are practically identical twins. Oh, and you have to stroke the sand at just the right speed — slower than 0.4 metres per second and you’ll get nothing but silence. Think of it as Estonia’s version of karaoke: the conditions need to be just so before anyone dares to belt out a tune.
A chill film without the word “chill”
Baumer originally set out to make a “chill” film, he told ERR. Then he realised Estonian doesn’t really have a word for “chill,” so he had to improvise. Instead of sunsets on repeat, he gave us seven beaches and a spider-meets-ant showdown on Nõva beach — the arthropod equivalent of a Tarantino scene, minus the soundtrack. Turns out the beach isn’t just for humans; it’s crawling with dramas if you crouch down low enough. It’s a whole other world down there.
Estonia’s secret symphonies
Estonia is home to several of these rare “singing” stretches. If you’re wondering where to try this for yourself, head for Lake Peipus (Peipsi). At Kauksi, Estonia’s longest sandy beach, each barefoot step can set off a faint melody, a blend of nature and music that lingers in memory long after you’ve left the shore — part concert, part science experiment.
Laulasmaa (“singing land”) hints at the same magic in its very name, though like any diva, the sand only performs when it feels like it. The same phenomenon has been recorded in deserts across the world, from China to California, but here in Estonia it has its own gentle Baltic charm.
Meet the man behind the camera
Aare Baumer is not your average filmmaker. He’s an inventor, science communicator, and collector of spider webs (yes, really). As head of science and development at the Energia Discovery Centre, he’s spent decades bringing science to the public, winning the Tiiu Silla Lifetime Achievement Award for his efforts. He insists curiosity is what drives him — though he admits his heart races when audiences get his “meta-jokes” tucked into the science.
A film that listens closely
Seitse liiva isn’t just about sand, it’s about wonder — and listening closely to the world under your feet. For those lucky enough to be at the Matsalu festival, the film offers a new way to experience Estonia’s coast. For the rest of us, it’s an invitation: next time you’re by an Estonian beach, try sliding your hand across the sand. If the conditions are right, you might just hear it sing. How cool is that?!
Sydney, get ready — because from 29 September to 3 October 2025, the world’s space elite are landing in town for the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC). Astronauts, astrophysicists, rocket-builders and dreamers from every corner of the globe will be talking satellites, Mars missions and sustainable futures. And guess what? Estonia’s part of the crew.
A 10-member Estonian delegation is strapping in, bringing with them representatives from the Estonian Parliament and some of the country’s brightest space minds. Think: Tartu Observatory, Crystalspace, KuupKulgur, the Estonian Student Satellite Foundation, Moliri and Enterprise Estonia.
It’s a line-up that proves Estonia isn’t just about singing festivals and bright minds — we’ve also got our eyes firmly fixed on the stars.
Mission Sydney Estonian House
On 2 October 2025, the delegation will touch down at the Sydney Estonian House. This one’s strictly invitation-only, but those lucky enough to nab a seat can expect mingling, snacks, drinks and a film that’s practically rocket fuel for the imagination.
The screening? “ESTCube-2.X: Ten Years to the Stars” — a documentary that tells the story of Estonia’s most ambitious satellite project. Spoiler alert: there were delays, disasters and a pandemic thrown in for good measure. But against all odds, a team of brilliant students got ESTCube-2 into orbit. Sure, the ending wasn’t quite Hollywood (or was it?), but the grit, genius and gall behind it will inspire anyone who’s ever tried to make the impossible fly.
About IAC 2025
This year’s IAC theme, “Sustainable Space: Resilient Earth”, is all about making sure our adventures in the cosmos don’t wreck the home planet. Hosted by the Space Industry Association of Australia, the Congress promises everything from heavyweight plenaries to Space Day – Powered by LEGO® Play (yes, really).
For Estonia, it’s not just about showing off satellites. It’s about proving that even a small country can punch above its orbital weight — and reminding the world that Estonians don’t just sing under the stars, we build the technology to get there.
Roll up, roll up — the Sydney Baltic Markets are turning Strathfield into a little corner of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on Saturday, 27 September. Expect stalls piled high with Baltic treats, from pirukad fresh from the oven to rye bread still warm, plus Estonian folk performances to keep your feet tapping while you shop.
Beyond the flavours, discover Baltic-inspired jewellery, beautiful handmade designs, and even a splash of Ukrainian colour. Kids can dive into their own craft corner, while the rest of us browse, eat and clap along to surprise pop-up performances.
⭐ Highlights
Estonian folk dancers Virmalised and choir Kooskõlas – bringing Estonian joy to the stage.
AeroTravel– the go-to boutique agency for Estonian Australians, keeping our community travelling the world safely and stylishly.
Baltic Folk – contemporary jewellery inspired by Estonian tradition (and your ancestors will approve).
Estonian Designs AU – making their first ever market stall debut (we’re excited for you!).
Eurodrinks – with an exclusive market deal: your favourite alco bottles just $50.
Whether you come for the cake, the singing, or the chance to stock up on Vana Tallinn, this is one Saturday you don’t want to miss. Come early and who knows, you might even get to shake the hand of a Baltic Ambassador or two…
🕙 Saturday, 27 September 2025, 10.0 am to 3.00 pm 📍 Latvian House in Sydney, 32 Parnell Street, Strathfield NSW 2135 💸 Entry: Free
Tallinn may be small, but it’s got plenty stories to tell. In 48 hours it served the British TV popular Travel Man hosts, Richard Ayoade and Alice Levine, a buffet of medieval murder stories, KGB paranoia and a schnitzel the size of a trampoline.
The pair kicked off their tour at the Tallinn TV Tower, where Estonians once blocked Soviet troops from hijacking the airwaves (simply by turning off the elevators — Tallinn’s tallest building, 1; Soviets, 0). Richard and Alice, naturally, hijacked the broadcast room instead — reporting breaking news about the Wife Carrying Championships. Pulitzer material, clearly (with some practice).
Old Town, new trauma
With tour guide Riina leading the way, the Old Town offered up charming squares, gothic cathedrals, and a monk who committed murder over warm beer. (Lesson: never mess with an Estonian barkeep.) Also: a “Peeping Tom” legend where the joke was literally built into the wall. Tallinn: where history is equal parts UNESCO and unhinged.
Boozy business and bugged hotels
Next came Pegasus Bar, where the infamous “Hammer and Sickle” cocktail — basically Fanta with a vendetta — left them blinking with one eye closed. Suitably wobbly, they tottered into Hotel Viru’s secret KGB floor, a Cold War wonderland of hidden microphones, surveillance equipment, and exploding “curl bombs” to keep staff in line. Airbnb could never.
Ice, Ice, maybe?
What’s more relaxing than sliding across a frozen lake on kick sleds? Answer: absolutely anything. At Lake Maardu, Alice screamed with joy while Richard looked like he was auditioning for Frozen: The Existential Crisis. Richard got unusually quiet — that should tell you something.
Noah’s Ark (of schnitzel)
At Restaurant Noah, they sampled aubergine “caviar”, eel sushi, scallops, and the mighty “elephant ear” schnitzel — a chicken cutlet flattened within an inch of its life. The sharing plates caused mild diplomatic tension: Alice wanted Richard’s food, Richard wanted Richard’s food.
Sean Connery’s big head and marzipan meltdown
The Scottish Club revealed Tallinn’s most baffling landmark: an oversized bust of Sean Connery lurking in a courtyard, because why not. From there it was on to Café Maiasmokk, where the pair painted marzipan frogs and chickens that looked like fever dreams. Their instructor politely called them “creative”. Translation: nightmare fuel.
Sink or swim
Finally, they wrapped things up at the Seaplane Harbour Museum, crawling over a submarine while debating whether it was sinking or “just underwater”. Tallinn, of course, stayed afloat — equal parts oddball, historic and heartwarming.
Verdict?
Tallinn smashed it. The guides were brilliant, the food outrageous, the stories deranged, and the cocktails aggressively orange. As Richard put it: “The people have been the wind beneath our chicken wings.”
So next time you’re in Estonia, remember: Tallinn isn’t just charming — she’s surprising, a little mischievous, and impossible not to love.
Watch it here
We had a few laughs watching this episode and even learnt a thing or two about Tallinn. Watch the episode, 24 minutes, by clicking below. Or catch the 8-minute version here.
This episode was first aired on 29 April 2019, reposted 16 September 2025. Read more about Travel Man and see where else in the world the show has travelled since they first aired in 2015 here.
Maie (middle),
with her daughter, Kristi (2nd from left) , relatives Anne (left), Elen (2nd from right) and Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna (right) at the Great Flight Commemoration service in Tallinn in September 2024.
It has been a year since the 80th commemoration of the Mass Flight of 1944. This year the occasion will be more modest, with the Mass Flight working group arranging a concert of Eduard Tubin’s music at the Tallinn College of Music and Ballet. I wonder whether the many Estonian organisations that participated last year will mark the day again.
I have been a member of the Mass Flight 1944 (MF 1944) working group for eight years. The group was formed by the Estonian World Council (ÜEKN) to raise awareness of this tragic event in Estonian history. In the autumn of 1944, an estimated 80,000 Estonians fled west to escape the advancing Soviet army. Many perished at sea, so we will never know how many set out — only how many arrived on other shores.
In 2019, for the 75th anniversary, the group arranged a seminar at VABAMU, an exhibition in the Theatre Museum, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cross of Freedom, and a church service in St John’s Church. Yet none of these activities gained attention from the local newspapers, radio or television and audiences were small. The Mass Flight was not talked about for 50 years, it does not feature in the school history books and was an unpopular topic for many people.
We did not give up. Each September we organised talks for schoolchildren, plays and essay competitions to keep the memory alive. Slowly, we found likeminded organisations in Estonia willing to support our work.
Last year, for the 80th anniversary, everything changed. There was extensive print, TV and radio coverage. Museums, churches, city councils, schools and the Estonian government all took part.
Highlights are described below.
Seminars and exhibitions. The Institute of Historical Memory introduced its refugee database at a seminar in Haapsalu. University of Tartu hosted an exhibition of works by artists from the Geislingen displaced persons camp alongside Ukrainian refugee artists now living in Estonia. The Pärnu Museum displayed photographs from post-war displaced persons camps.
Church and community events. Services were held in Haapsalu, Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu. At 5.45pm on 19 September, bells rang out across Estonia in memory of those who fled. The Estonian government held a wreath-laying at the Cross of Freedom in Tallinn, while President Alar Karis cast a wreath into the Gulf of Finland to honour those lost at sea.
Discussion series. The Oak Tree Club, with EU support, launched the program “Don’t want to go but can’t stay”. Seminars ranged from women’s expatriate stories to the turbulent autumn of 1944, with speakers from Estonia, Australia and abroad. A short play based on the memoirs of Mari Raamot was performed, and further discussions were hosted at the Estonian parliament and VABAMU.
School engagement. In Tallinn, the ÜEKN Mass Flight 1944 group organised a meeting between refugee expatriates and senior students at Tallinn Real School, followed by a wreath-laying at the memorial stone and a memorial service at St John’s Church.
Memorial stone in the St Michaels Church carpark. Photo from the private collection of Maie Barrow.
The main event for the working group was the unveiling of the memorial in Pärnu on the 21st of September. The sculpture by Elo Liiv, funded largely by diaspora communities in the USA, Australia and Canada, now stands near the city bridge. Once the riverbanks are stabilised, it will be moved to its permanent site with lighting and landscaping. Do go and visit it when you are in Pärnu.
The unveiling was a remarkable day: sunshine, choirs, flags and a large audience. The ceremony was opened by Iivi Zajedova, chair of the working group, followed by speeches from President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Pärnu’s mayor Romek Kosenkranius, Marin Mõttus of the Foreign Ministry, and committee members including Marju Rink Abel, Ülle Ederma and Kristi Vuht Allpere (Kristi led the memorial project). The Pärnu City Council gave its strong support, and ÜEKN formally gifted the sculpture to the city. Bishop Emeritus Tiit Salumäe blessed the monument before it was unveiled by members of the working group.
That evening, at the Estonian Symphony Orchestra concert, conductor Neeme Järvi dedicated a piece to the memory of those who fled in 1944.
It has been a long journey, but this important part of Estonia’s history is finally being discussed openly. It is no longer only the diaspora who remember, but Estonians everywhere.
In August 2024, my wife and I travelled to Estonia and found ourselves present for the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Mass Flight of 1944. Among the events we attended was the unveiling of the Mass Flight memorial in Pärnu — a moving experience I will never forget.
That week coincided with several major commemorations. On Tuesday 17 August, we attended a solemn ceremony in Tallinn Freedom Square at the foot of the Statue of Liberty. Various dignitaries and organisations were present, along with members of the general public. Wreaths were laid and speeches given, including one by Margus Tsahkna, Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. After this ceremony, many of the crowd crossed Freedom Square for a memorial service at St. John’s Church that followed.
On Saturday 21 August we were in Pärnu for the ceremonies and unveiling of the memorial. This memorial was funded through fundraising by the Estonian diaspora, in particular with contributions from Australia and Canada. Again, many dignitaries and organisations were present, including former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. Our own Maie Barrow attended and helped with the formal unveiling of the memorial. Other Australian Estonians present included Kristi Barrow, Dr Helen Reinthal, Johanna Rivers and myself (Grahame Reinthal).
The memorial itself is quite remarkable: two hands reaching to hold together, yet being pulled apart by circumstances beyond control.
Close up, the aluminium strips that form the hands create their contours and fingerprints. At the same time, the deep curves of the hands represent the turbulent waves of the ocean — and riding upon those waves are the little boats and ships attempting their escape. Overall, I found the symbolism of the memorial very moving.
Pärnu memorial unveiling, 21 September 2024. From left: Dr Helen Reinthal, Grahame Reinthal, Maie Barrow, Kristi Barrow and Johanna Rivers. Photo from the private collection of Grahame Reinthal.
Alongside last year’s commemorations and the unveiling of the Pärnu memorial, here are three videos that capture the stories, emotions and meaning behind the chapter of history that is the Mass Flight of 1944.
The first is a 6-minute short film introducing the memorial, with moving scenes from the opening, reflections from those who fled, and music filled with longing for Estonia.
The second is a full-length recording of the memorial event (over an hour), offering deeper insight into the speeches, stories and symbolism of the day.
And finally, we share a trailer for the upcoming documentary “Puudutus/Touch”, presented by the Estonian American National Council, which explores how the monument came to be and the history it represents. The full documentary will be released in 2025.
These films — like the memorial itself — are dedicated to those who fled, those who suffered through occupation and deportation, and to all who carried Estonia in their hearts across the sea.
Here is the short film on the memorial unveiling in Pärnu, 6 minutes.
This is the one hour long video titled “Mass Flight 1944 Memorial Opening”.
And here is the trailer for the upcoming documentary “Puudutus/Touch”.
Global Estonian Newsletter September 2025. Source: Global Estonian.
The September edition of the Global Estonian newsletter has landed — and it’s another rich read for anyone curious about the worldwide Estonian family. This month’s issue spans milestones and traditions, from Arvo Pärt’s 90th and Eesti Rada’s 80th to bog walks, rye bread and Estonian schools around the globe.
Some highlights you’ll find inside:
Happy 90th, Arvo Pärt! The world’s most performed living composer marked his milestone birthday in September with concerts and events across the globe.
80 years of Eesti Rada — oldest continuously published newspaper abroad, published by the Estonian community in Germany. A special anniversary edition looks back on its journey since 1945.
Did you know there are 82 Estonian schools outside of Estonia? These schools connect over 3,500 children and 250 teachers to Estonian language and traditions every year.
Bog walking in Estonia — Estonia’s mysterious bog landscapes, places of beauty, refuge and tradition where people have foraged, fished and even fled wars for generations.
Rye bread and salted herring — research highlights how these staples remain the bedrock of Estonia’s traditional food culture, find out which Estonian staples are not actually Estonian!
Returnee support — the Integration Foundation offers financial assistance for ethnic Estonians and their descendants abroad who wish to resettle in Estonia.
New Estonia brand video — discover why our “ordinary” is considered so extraordinary by the rest of the world.
…and much more, including reflections on food culture, film projects, youth leadership and community events.
Salajutud, Estonian House in Sydney, 17 September 2025. Photo by Ave Nukki.
The walls of Sydney Estonian House have now officially heard it all. On 17 September 2025, Estonia’s most unfiltered podcast duo Salajutud (“Secret Chats”) — Mallukas and Kristina Pärtelpoeg — finally touched down in Australia, and their Sydney show was everything fans dreamed of: outrageous, champagne-fuelled and gloriously unfiltered.
It was a very different kind of night at Eesti Maja. Gone were the usual committee-meeting vibes. Instead: 50 fresh faces, many who’d never set foot in the building before. Backpackers en route back to Estonia, a fan who’d flown in from Singapore, young women in mini skirts, couples, groups of mates, and a solid showing of men too. They came, they drank champagne straight from the bottle, they queued for Salajutud T-shirts like it was Taylor Swift tickets on release day. Salajutud clearly has some very dedicated fans in Australia.
On stage: two sofa chairs, red ambience, a couple of flutes of bubbly, and two women who don’t know the meaning of “too far”.
They tore open listener letters and let loose:
A husband who insists on doing everything naked. (Spoiler: his wife is not impressed??)
A hot-and-spicy date that went from digestive disaster to “happily ever after”. (Let’s just say, not safe for the dinner table with kids around.)
The audience screamed, cringed and cheered — the rule was simple: the more embarrassing, the better.
Salajutud works because it dares to say the things everyone else only thinks.
Listeners send in their darkest, funniest, most cringe-inducing stories, and Kristina and Mallukas happily spill them live, no names attached. Listeners get the thrill of recognition, the catharsis of laughter, and the comfort of knowing they’re not alone in life’s messiness. It’s therapy by laughter — with bubbly. “Everybody makes mistakes!” is the show’s unofficial motto, and in Sydney it landed perfectly.
The duo even confessed old secrets of their own: Mallukas’s first Aussie adventure 15 years ago.
Mallukas had crossed oceans for an Aussie love interest… only to be spectacularly ghosted on arrival.
With no money, she couchsurfed, survived on backpacker leftovers, and blogged about “fabulous Sydney” while secretly living her worst hostel life.
Fast-forward to today and things are a little more luxe. The duo aren’t just surviving, they’re thriving — and filming the whole thing. The Australian tour is being filmed for an eight-episode Go3 series premiering later this year — so yes, Sydney’s secrets (and maybe a few ghosts from the past) will be coming soon to a screen near you.
The Sydney show wrapped up the only way Salajutud know how — with champagne, gossip, and an audience buzzing so hard they spilled straight into bar-hopping mode afterwards.
One thing’s certain: Estonian Australians will be talking about this night for a long time. As the Salajutud ladies teased before the tour: “You asked. You begged. You even threatened us with kangaroos and boomerangs. And finally — okay, we’re here!” And yes — they delivered.
Next stop: Perth on 19 September — get ready, Western Australia, your secrets are about to be spilled. Click here for details and tickets.
Thank you
We’re grateful to Ave Nukki for this information and photos!
