Estonian House in Melbourne ca 1974. Source: Estonian House archives, Matti Kiviväli.
The Estonian House in Melbourne has found a buyer. The contracts have been signed and the settlement period of 12 months has commenced for our move from 43 Melville Rd, West Brunswick.
This means we have some time to seek a new home as well as organise a number of events to celebrate our time at Eesti Maja. Whilst it is sad to know that we will be departing the building that has been our home for over 50 years the time has come to find a new venue that is better suited to the needs of the changing community. This was the recommendation of the community review conducted over three years ago.
The company that has purchased the building intend to maintain the heritage components and will most likely continue to use the venue for hospitality and entertainment purposes.
Estonian House in Melbourne in 1971. Photo: Estonian House archives, Matti Kiviväli.
The Estonian Society in Melbourne have a subgroup that has been searching for a new home for the community. Here is a chance to assist them in their endeavours. If you are aware of any buildings that may be suitable for the Estonian Community to purchase and is reasonably central to the city (within 10 km radius) then please send an email to melbourneestoniansociety[at]gmail.com alerting them to this opportunity. The type of building being looked for involves a small function hall, rehearsal space for choirs and dancing and office space for meetings and storage.
Over the coming months we will provide more details of planned events at Eesti Maja and stories regarding the history of the building.
Estonians, sharpen your small-talk skills and raise a glass — tonight’s Nordic Edition of European Aussie Drinks is where business meets fun. Sometimes the best deals start with a toast.
This special gathering is organised by the Nordic & Estonian Australian Chambers of Commerce (Swedish, Finnish, Estonian, Norwegian and Danish chambers) and promises to mix sharp networking with plenty of good cheer. Expect smiles, lively conversations and maybe even a few Nordic flavours to keep things interesting.
📅 When: Wednesday, 3 September 2025, 5.30–9.30pm 📍 Where: Wentworth Bar, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Level 5, 61–101 Phillip Street, Sydney NSW
For the past week, many of us have been glued to the live tracker map, munching popcorn and cheering on Estonia’s Solaride team as they raced their way across Australia. Today is the big moment – after 3,000 km of sun, wind and rain, the team is set to cross the finish line in Adelaide at the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.
If you’re in Adelaide, you can join the crowd at the finish line to welcome them home in true Estonian style – cheering, flag-waving and perhaps even a few tears of pride.
And don’t miss the team’s own brilliant reels, interviews and behind-the-scenes photos on the Solaride Facebook page.
Achievements along the way
The Solaride crew of 25 Estonian students – 20 of them engineers – have built not just a car, but a statement of ingenuity and endurance. Their vehicle, the Solaride III Enefit, is a 5.8-metre solar car designed for both efficiency and passenger comfort. With a 15 kWh battery pack, the car can cover up to 700 km on solar and stored energy, even in Australia’s unpredictable outback conditions.
From Darwin to Adelaide, Solaride held the lead for much of the race, thrilling fans at home and abroad. They also bagged a major early win: the Design Award in the Cruiser Class. Judges praised their blend of innovation, practicality, safety and solar efficiency – awarding them a strategic 28-minute time advantage. That edge could prove game-changing in such a tight competition.
Solaride’s main rival has been the Hong Kong team, with the two cars often separated by just minutes. As chief engineer Joosep Ress explained to Aktuaalne Kaamera, “Until the 2,000 km mark we held first place, but after that it’s been a very close fight.” In the final stretch, the Estonians have faced tough weather – rain, strong winds, and now the threat of 130 km/h gusts on race day.
Driver Ülo Pajutee described the last leg as “extreme – we’ve never tested the car in such harsh conditions.” Yet the team remains determined. “Of course, our goal is to win,” Ress said, while acknowledging the uncertainties of the final day.
More than a race
The World Solar Challenge is legendary – the oldest and toughest of its kind, running since 1983. For Solaride, it’s not just about crossing the line first. Their bigger mission is to inspire and train the next generation of engineers through hands-on challenges and world-class innovation.
Whatever the outcome today, Estonia can already be proud. A student-built car, designed for endurance in the Australian outback, has carried our flag across 3,000 kilometers of sunburnt road, winning recognition and fans along the way.
So tune in, follow live, and celebrate this remarkable Estonian achievement – whether from Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, or the other side of the world.
Eesti päike särab täna Austraalias. Fingers crossed! 🌞
Read more
You can follow Solaride and read more using the links below.
ECFA (The Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia) is pleased to announce the following funding for projects enhancing Estonian culture, language and heritage across Australia. For the coming year, 2025-26, ECFA received 18 applications and has allocated $38,000 to various groups across the country. Grant applications were received from NSW, QLD, VIC and WA, as well as applications for Australia wide projects. This reflects the diverse range of quality projects and activities being undertaken in the Australian Estonian diaspora.
The recipients are listed below:
Organisation
Activity
Amount
Estonian Archives in Australia
To replace the old computers which are out of date and cannot be upgraded.
$3,500
Estonian Language Curriculum Developing Workshop
The workshop will focus on Curriculum framework for Estonian language education in older playgroups and primary school year levels Prep–Year 2.
$5,000
EstWest (Estonian Cultural Association in Western Australia)
Towards the venue hire for an Estonian family-and-music Christmas festival in Perth in December 2025.
$1,500
Newy EestLASTE Kultuuriring (Language and Culture Club for Estonian Kids in Newcastle)
To assist with providing ongoing opportunities for Newcastle and Hunter region children to get acquainted with Estonian language and culture.
$700
Sydney Mudilasring, Estonian Children’s Playgroup in Sydney
To support the work of this group in fostering and developing Estonian culture for young children in Sydney.
$2,000
Sydney Estonian Handicraft Circle
Funding to support software to manage and maintain inventory of the “library” of Estonian folk-costumes.
$2,000
Melbourne Estonian Society
To assist with conducting an Estonian childrens’ Language and Culture camp.
$2,000
Gold Coast Estonian Society
To assist with conducting an Estonian childrens’ Language and Culture camp “Queensland’í Perelaager”.
$3,000
Melbourne Estonian Society Craft Group
To assist with conducting workshops to teach traditional Estonian pick up band/belt weaving.
$900
Sydney Estonian Society
This funding is to support the promoters to bring a 2-person play to Australia, Piip ja Tuut.
$5,500
Sydney Estonian Society
This funding is to support bringing a performance of “Mamma Lood” to Australia.
$2,000
Estonian ‘Sõrve’ Childrens’ Camp
To support the annual camp, is a key cultural and social Estonian community event, that has been running for over 60 years.
$8,000
Hans Ots Grant (to Sõrve childrens camp)
The purpose is to provide financial assistance to children or leaders who are resident in Australia to attend Sõrve.
On 26 August, Estonians from every corner of the globe logged into a GlobalEstonian.com online meet-up that turned into much more than a lecture. It was a lively celebration of books, identity, and the sometimes creative (but always legal) ways we smuggle Estonian literature across borders.
The afternoon began with facilitator Johanna Rivers, who introduced the day and guided participants through the Global Estonian website — a hub for diaspora events and opportunities. Then came the main event: literary scholar Dr Sirje Kiin (USA), who opened the floor with a whirlwind journey through Estonian literature.
📖 Estonia is a nation of readers and writers
Estonians are among the world’s most dedicated readers, Sirje shared. Our homes average 218 books each — well above the global average — with some personal libraries stretching into the tens of thousands.
Sirje reminded us that Estonia’s cultural backbone is strong. With 1.5 million recorded folk songs and one of the world’s largest folklore archives, Estonians have been unusually busy writing things down. Per capita, we’ve logged more folk songs than any other nation — “not bad for a people the size of a mid-level European city,” she joked.
She traced milestones:
Kristjan Jaak Peterson, only 17 when he dared to ask whether Estonian couldn’t also seek “eternity” as a language of literature.
Juhan Liiv, who put the idea of an Estonian state into words decades before independence.
Lydia Koidula, Marie Under, Betti Alver, and later Debora Vaarandi and Viivi Luik, whose poetry carried national spirit through tsars, wars and Soviet censors.
And today’s powerful women’s voices, like Doris Kareva, Kristiina Ehin, Triin Soomets, and newer names such as Maarja Pärtna.
The takeaway? Literature hasn’t just reflected Estonian identity — it has built it.
Stronger than borders
Sirje also reminded us why Estonian culture has survived when so many others have been steamrolled by history. Perched at the crossroads of East and West, Estonia has endured centuries of foreign rulers and cultural collisions. And yet — we’ somehow managed to keep changing without ever losing ourselves. Estonian culture excels at resilience.
Even cultural researchers back this up, pointing to Estonia’s unusually strong “cultural immune system.” Our creativity doesn’t just survive, it flourishes; new ideas keep streaming in, and borrowing words or influences doesn’t dilute us. Or as Sirje quipped with a grin: “We’re just crazy enough on the borderlands to survive anything history throws at us.”
Rahva Raamat bookstore in Tallinn, June 2025. Photo by Kristel Alla.
📚 Practical tips for readers abroad
This wasn’t only literary history. Sirje swapped ideas with participants on how to actually get Estonian books abroad, with a mix of practical advice and hard-earned tips:
Use Apollo or Rahva Raamat’s online stores, or the mirko.ee e-library, which now lends both e-books and audiobooks internationally.
Order in bulk to save on postage (Sirje herself admits to hauling suitcases of books to Florida).
Bring a crate of books to community events for exchange — especially children’s books, which can be passed along like outgrown clothes.
Pair Estonian texts with translations side-by-side if modern language feels daunting.
And the golden rule: read aloud to children early and often. Even if they can’t speak yet, hearing Estonian stories builds identity and bonds. “The thirst for stories never disappears,” Sirje stressed — and science backs her up: fiction activates empathy in ways no screen can match.
The conversation also touched on how diaspora communities can keep literature alive: invite authors from Estonia to visit, share what’s being written abroad more visibly, and don’t shy away from poetry, “a light-bringer in dark times.”
A Global Book Club with local echoes
What began as a talk ended as a global book club — with participants trading recommendations, childhood memories, and new ways to keep Estonian reading and writing alive far from home.
And for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere? Don’t forget: our own Estonian Book Club meet-up is coming in October (26th), where we’ll be chatting directly with a brilliant Estonian author, Urmas Vadi. Stay tuned for details — and maybe start clearing a little space on that crowded bookshelf.
Forget the calendar confusion: in Estonia, Father’s Day (Isadepäev) is in November, while in Australia it lands in early September. But let’s not get lost in dates — what matters is that our Estonian communities across Australia are ready to celebrate dads, granddads and all the father figures who fix our broken stuff, cheer us on, and deliver the world’s corniest jokes with unmatched pride.
From Queensland to Victoria to Western Australia, Estonian dads are getting their spotlight this year, and the celebrations are as colourful and varied as our community itself. Pancakes, paper planes, treasure hunts — and yes, a full stage for dad-joke champions. Go fathers, you rock!
Brisbane — Father’s Day Pancake Party
🥞 Saturday, 30 August at 2pm 📍 Victor Scouts Hall, 58 Victor Street, Holland Park QLD 4121 🎟 Free entry — bring a plate to share 🔗 Read more
Brisbane is flipping pancakes for dads! The Estonian playgroup invites everyone to a Pannkoogipidu where we’ll sing, play and teach a few Estonian words for dads of all backgrounds. RSVP by 28 August is essential (so the pancake supply doesn’t run dry!), so email maili.andre[at]gmail.com that you’re coming.
Gold Coast — Fathers Day Party
🎶 Sunday, 31 August at 9.30am 📍 Varsity Lakes Community Centre, 201 Varsity Parade, Varsity Lakes QLD 4227 🎟 Free entry — bring a plate to share 🔗 Read more
The Gold Coast Estonian School and Playgroup are hosting a proper pidu (party): children’s concert, games, gifts and of course the good old Estonian tradition of bringing something tasty for the shared table. (Who knows — maybe a few dad jokes will spontaneously sneak into the program?)
Melbourne — Father’s Day fun and games
This Father’s Day the Melbourne Estonian Society is putting the spotlight on fun, action and quality time together.
⚽ Sunday, 31 August at 2pm 📍 Estonian House, 43 Melville Road, Brunswick West VIC 3055 🎟 Free entry — bring a plate of food to share 🔗 Read more
Melbourne’s going all out this year with a full afternoon that includes: 🛩 Paper plane contests — whose dad can throw the furthest? ⚽ Penalty shoot-outs — kids vs dads, bragging rights at stake. 🔎 Treasure hunt — a family adventure. 😂 Dad Jokes Competition — step up to the mic, funniest wins a prize!
Extra treats for dads: your first beer is on the house, and the shared table promises delicious surprises. Everyone is welcome — members, non-members, friends and families. (Warning: dad-joke content may cause eye-rolling and uncontrollable laughter.)
Perth — Springtime special Father’s Day celebration
🌼 Sunday, 28 September, time TBC 📍 Details to come — stay tuned via EstWest socials 🎟 Free entry — bring a plate to share 🔗 Read more
In true Estonian–Aussie compromise style, Perth decided to split the difference between the November and September dates. Their Father’s Day celebration lands in late September on a spring weekend. The program is still under wraps, but two things are guaranteed: the kids will make plenty of joyful noise, and dads won’t leave hungry. And if anyone’s got a dad joke up their sleeve, Perth will be ready (no pressure).
A toast to our dads
Wherever you are — in Brisbane with pancakes, in Melbourne with dad-joke contests, in Perth with spring feasts, or on the Gold Coast with song and games — come along and join the fun. These celebrations may look a little different from Mother’s Day’s flower-filled fuss (we love those too!), but they carry just as much heart.
Here’s to the dads, stepdads, granddads, and all the father figures in our lives: Head isadepäeva! 💙
Missed out?
Got a Father’s Day event not listed above, then please let us know via email news[at]eesti.org.au.
Latvian children's choir singing. Photo by Kristel Alla.
On Saturday 23 August 2025, Melbourne’s Latvian House filled with music, memories and the spirit of solidarity as Baltic communities gathered to mark the anniversary of the Baltic Way (Balti kett) — the 1989 human chain that stretched 700 kilometres through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
The day opened with a moving prelude: the Corpus Medicorum orchestra of medical professionals performing Estonian composer Arvo Pärt’s Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten. It was a wonderful Estonian treat for the audience, one that set us on a beautiful journey through the Baltic region’s shared history of endurance and expression through music.
Inside the small hall, every seat was taken. Children sang, the Latvian choir’s harmonies filled the space before and after the official program, and the power of voices in a packed room made the air itself seem to vibrate.
Recreating the Baltic Way
Then came the moment of reenactment. Hands linked across the room in a symbolic Baltic Way. There were not quite enough Estonians to fill the chain, but Latvians gladly stepped in to bridge the gaps — proof again of the unity that defines this shared history. Hand in hand, with Latvian song starting up and us Estonians chiming in, we stood together for fifteen minutes — and in that moment the room felt bigger than its walls. It was simple, beautiful, and unforgettable.
Standing at the Estonian end of the human chain at the Latvian House, 23 August 2025. At the front, Melbourne Estonian community members: Kristel Alla (holding the flag, she also gave a speech later), Bernadette Pilli, Rano Uesson and Karla Hadiz Uesson. Photo from the private collection of Kristel Alla.
Testimonials and reflections
The commemorative speeches followed. Eyewitnesses recalled the original Baltic Way in 1989: the hurried journeys, the traffic jams, and the extraordinary sight of nearly two million people stepping out of buses, cars and trams to take their place in history. One story linked three generations, as a grandmother remembered joining the chain with her daughter — now watching her granddaughter wear the same national costume for the Melbourne event.
Another testimonial brought a personal perspective from childhood, remembering the orange buses that ran past the Song Festival Grounds in Tallinn, and the moment she and her mother stepped off the bus to join hands with strangers — a memory of pride, unity, sunlight and sea breeze that has never left her.
Anita Andersone, the Chair of the Latvian Federation of Australia and New Zealand, who brilliantly organised and facilitated the event. Photo by Kristel Alla.
A journalist’s perspective
Journalist John Mašanauskas, who reported on the Baltic independence movements in the late 1980s, offered a wider lens. He spoke of the atmosphere in Lithuania in those years — the courage of grassroots movements like Sąjūdis, the return of national symbols, and the peaceful determination that drew global attention. He reminded the audience that the Baltic Way was not just a protest, but a message to the world: these nations were already free in spirit, and political independence would soon follow.
The speeches also drew connections to today. Several speakers reminded those present that Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine is not only an attack on one country, but on sovereignty and democracy across the region. As one speaker put it: “United, we stand. Divided, we fall.”
Closing in song
The commemoration ended as it began — with music and unity. The audience joined together in song, led by the Latvian hosts, their voices carrying through the hall with the same mix of hope and defiance that marked the Baltic Way itself. It was powerful, and for a moment I thought the very walls might be trembling with us.
Later in the afternoon, many stayed to hear the orchestra’s full performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in the large hall — a generous gift to round off a day of history, memory, and solidarity.
In Melbourne, on the other side of the world from the Baltic Sea, the spirit of 1989 lived again: hand in hand, voice to voice, past to present. Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians together.
Journalist John Mašanauskas moved by Arvo Pärt’s music. Photo by Kristel Alla.
Global Estonian August 2025 newsletter. Source: Global Estonian.
The August edition of the Global Estonian newsletter has landed — and it’s another rich read for anyone curious about what’s happening in the worldwide Estonian family. This month’s issue is full of surprises and includes stories of space psychology, mushroom wisdom and adventures with Estonian robots.
Some stories for you to discover — and much more:
Extreme psychology: Estonian researcher Andres Käosaar explores human behaviour in isolation and space-like conditions.
Teachers abroad return to the source: a summer school in Põltsamaa brought together 40+ teachers of Estonian culture and language — including Marin Hicks and Elen Ellervee from Australia.
Robots, bears and steam rooms: Sydney-based Mathew Thompson’s witty outsider’s guide to Estonia.
Business on the rise: Estonian-founded app Lightyear secures $23M to expand AI investment tools in Europe.
Honouring cultural leaders: Minister Heidy Purga thanks diaspora choir and dance leaders at the Song and Dance Celebration “Iseoma” — including cultural leaders from our Estonian Australian communities.
Mushroom wisdom: embrace Estonia’s favourite autumn pastime with the “Seeneabi” (Mushroom Help) app, now also in English and Finnish.
Who needs petrol when you’ve got brilliant brains, teamwork and a whole lot of sunshine? On Sunday, 24 August 2025 (5–8pm), the Solaride solar car team is visiting Sydney, and local Estonians are invited to a special movie night to hear their inspiring story.
The evening’s main feature is Solaride’s brand-new documentary, a film that zips from the drawing board to the dustiest roads of the Australian Outback. In 2023, these bright young Estonian engineers made history as the first Baltic team to take part in the legendary Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. Against fierce competition from some of the world’s top universities, they not only finished 3rd but also drove home with a special prize for technical innovation. Not bad for a “first lap” on the world stage!
But the movie is just the warm-up. After the screening, you’ll get to chat with three of Solaride’s powerhouses:
Asso Soosalu – CEO (a.k.a. captain of this sunshine-fuelled ship)
Karl-Tanel Paes – Head of Finance & Partnerships (yes, even solar cars need funding)
Liisa Ševtšuk – Head of People & Culture (because behind every great car is a great team spirit)
They’ll spill the beans on the behind-the-scenes drama: the design headaches, the Outback survival stories, and how they’re gearing up to race again at the end of this month.
🎬 Event details 📅 Sunday, 24 August, 5.00pm – 8.00pm 📍 Sydney Estonian House, 141 Campbell St, Surry Hills NSW 2010 🎟️ Tickets $10/$25: Grab yours here
So come along, cheer for Estonia’s sun-chasing innovators, and maybe leave wondering if your next car should come with solar panels instead of a fuel gauge.
The Sydney Estonian House was alive with music, colour and conversation on Sunday, 17 August 2025, when around 70 people gathered to celebrate Estonia’s 34th anniversary of restored independence.
This was the first of the Estonian Australian community events held across the country this week to mark a milestone that changed history. On 20 August 1991, Estonia regained its freedom — and in Sydney, this was remembered with song, dance and the joy of being together.
The afternoon program was a beautiful showcase of Estonian culture.
The Kooskõlas choir filled the hall with singing.
The Virmalised and Rukkililled folk dancers stepped out in rhythm and tradition.
A special instrumental concert brought together piano solos, cello and the gentle sounds of kannel, Estonia’s national instrument.
Music and movement gave the celebration its heartbeat — and reminded everyone that independence is carried not just in history books, but in voices, instruments and dance steps on the stage. We are living history.
Kooskõlas choir sings at the Sydney Estonian House, 17 August 2025. Photo by Ave Nukki.
While Sydney hosted, it wasn’t just Sydney’s day. Guests travelled from Melbourne and Canberra, showing once again that these celebrations are shared across the Australian Estonian community. Everyone is welcome.
After the formalities, the Estonian House was buzzing. Cups of coffee in hand, people gathered around plates of cinnamon buns, sampled Estonian sweets, and mingled. Echoes of music and conversation filled the rooms — it just felt right to everyone present.
Ave Nukki, President of the Estonian Society of Sydney, spoke of what this day means to the community, even from the other side of the world:
“Even here in faraway Sydney, we feel the deep meaning of this day. Though Estonia is thousands of kilometres away, it lives in us — in our language, songs, dances, and in our hearts.”
Happy Re-Independence Day!
Read the full speech by Ave in Estonian and in English below.
Virmalised folk dancers performing at the Sydney Estonian House, 17 August 2025. Photo by Esmée Okamoto.
RE-INDEPENDENCE DAY GREETING
DEAR ESTONIANS IN SYDNEY,
Today is a special day. Today, we celebrate the 34th anniversary of the restoration of Estonia’s independence. This is not just a date on the calendar. It is a reminder of courage, hope, and belief — a shared dream of freedom for which our people stood, sang, and quietly trusted would one day return.
34 years ago, a miracle happened. Without weapons, in peace, the Estonian people showed the world that even the darkest times can come to an end when there is unity in our hearts and faith in a better tomorrow.
Even here in faraway Sydney, we feel the deep meaning of this day. Though Estonia is thousands of kilometres away, it lives in us — in our language, songs, dances, and in our hearts. We are not just Estonians living in Australia — we are also ambassadors of Estonia on this distant continent.
Today, we remember those who stood for freedom, and we thank all who have kept our language, culture, and community alive here in Australia over the years.
The strength of our ancestors and the future of our children meet on days like this — when we come together to celebrate, to remember, and to stand side by side.
A heartfelt thank you to all the performers, organisers, and helpers who brought this day to life — and who stayed behind to help tidy up. Your contribution means the world. Thank you, dear community.
And of course — thank you to all of you who came today to be part of this celebration. Your presence keeps our sense of belonging alive and gives meaning to everything we do.
And now, we kindly ask you to please rise for the Estonian National Anthem. After the anthem, everyone is warmly invited to join us for coffee and cake. Let’s continue this day in good spirit and great company.
Long live Estonia! Long live our community!
With heartfelt thanks,
Ave Nukki President, Estonian Society of Sydney 20 August 2025
Ave Nukki, the President of the Estonian Society of Sydney, speaking at the Estonian House in Sydney, 17 August 2025. Photo by Esmée Okamoto.
TAASISESEISVUSPÄEVA TERVITUS
TERE, ARMSAD EESTLASED SYDNEYS!
Täna tähistame midagi erakordset – Eesti Vabariigi taasiseseisvumise 34. aastapäeva. See päev ei ole pelgalt üks kuupäev kalendris – see on meeldetuletus julgusest, lootusest ja ühisest unistusest, mille nimel meie rahvas seisis, laulis ja vaikides uskus, et vabadus tuleb tagasi.
34 aastat tagasi sündis ime. Eesti rahvas – relvitu ja rahumeelne – näitas maailmale, et ka kõige pimedam aeg võib lõppeda, kui südames on kindel usk ja rahval üksmeel. See on ime, mida meie, kes elame teisel pool maailma, kanname uhkusega oma südames.
Kuigi meie kodumaa asub siit tuhandete kilomeetrite kaugusel, ei ole see kunagi vähendanud meie armastust Eesti vastu. Meie keel, laulud, tantsud ja traditsioonid elavad edasi ka siin, Sydney päikese all – sest me hoiame neid elus. Me ei ole mitte ainult eestlased Austraalias, vaid Eesti saadikud siin kaugel mandril.
Täna meenutame neid, kes seisid vabaduse eest, ja täname neid, kes on aastate jooksul hoidnud elus meie kultuuri, keelt ja kogukonda siinpool maakera. Meie esivanemate tugevus ja meie laste tulevik kohtuvad just sellistel päevadel – kui koguneme, et tähistada, mäletada ja olla koos.
Sügav kummardus ja tänu kõigile esinejatele, korraldajatele ja abilistele, kes aitasid selle päeva üles ehitada, läbi viia ning ka hiljem kõik taas korda seada. Aitäh, armas kogukond – teieta poleks see võimalik.
Olgu tänane päev täis rõõmu, uhkust ja tänulikkust. Ja ärgem unustagem, et igaüks meist – ükskõik kus me elame – kannab Eestit endas: oma tegudes, sõnades ja südames.
Elagu Eesti! Elagu meie kogukond!
Südamlikult ja tänutundega,
Ave Nukki President, Sydney Eesti Selts 20 August 2025
What’s better than reading a good book? Talking about it with Estonians from around the globe who secretly love nothing more than arguing over which one is the best.
On Tuesday, 26 August 2025, GlobalEstonian.com is hosting a virtual meet-up where books take centre stage — and no, you don’t need to dust off your old school copy of Tôde ja õigus (Truth and Justice).
This time, the spotlight is on Dr. Sirje Kiin (USA), a comparative literature scholar who has spent her life immersed in the beauty and bite of Estonian books. She’ll reveal the books that shaped her life, why Estonian literature hits differently when you live between two cultures, and where to find those gems even if your local library thinks “Estonia” is somewhere near IKEA.
⏰ Time: 26 August 2025, 16.00–17.15 (Estonian time) 📍 Where: Online (Teams) 🎟 Registration: Register here
Expect insights into
You’ll get insights into (wording may wary):
Why Estonian novels sometimes know you better than your therapist.
How books can be the ultimate identity glue — especially when your heart is in two places at once.
Pro tips for hunting down Estonian literature abroad (spoiler: it’s not all smuggled in suitcases).
Bring your own book
This isn’t a sit-back-and-nod kind of session. Bring along your own favourite — that Estonian book that made you cry, laugh, or do a happy dance. Share it with the group and prepare to discover some new “must reads” to add to your midnight shopping list.
Source: Global Estonian.
What’s next?
This is just one of three global meet-ups this year. The next one happens on 27 November 2025 — because nobody reads just one book a year. So, wherever you are — Adelaide, Tartu, or hiding behind a mountain of unread novels in Toronto — brew yourself a strong coffee, grab a book, and log in. Together, we’ll prove that Estonian literature is very much capable of keeping us all connected.
👉 Register here (or click below, if buttons are your thing).
And remember — don’t wander too far from your bookshelf. Our very own Southern Hemisphere Estonian Book Club is back October 26th, with a special guest Estonian author dropping by for a chat. Stay tuned for more information — we promise it’ll be worth clearing your reading list and calendar.
Some Estonian Australian communities are gathering this week to mark a milestone that changed the course of history: on 20 August 1991, Estonia restored its independence. Others will pause in their own quiet way, remembering what this day means. In Estonia itself, the day is a public holiday filled with concerts, speeches and moments of gratitude.
For Estonians abroad, the day carries no less weight. It’s not just another date on the calendar. Those who lived through it know what it meant to finally see the dream of a free Estonia come true. Those who grew up hearing the stories know the sacrifices and courage it took. And those born afterwards inherit the gift — and responsibility — of freedom.
It wasn’t so long ago when travel was restricted, voices were silenced, and families lived under the fear of deportation or worse. Yet, through resilience, culture and belief in freedom, Estonia returned to the world as an independent nation. That is why we celebrate — not out of habit, but out of remembrance and pride.
Read about celebrations across Australia.
Events Across Australia
SYDNEY – 34th Re-independence Day Celebration
📅 Date: Sunday, 17 August 2025, 1.00 PM 📍 Location: Sydney Estonian House, 141 Campbell St, Surry Hills NSW 2010 🎟 Tickets: Members free, guests $5 – Book here
The Estonian Society of Sydney invites everyone to a festive afternoon featuring performances by Kooskõlas choir, folk dancers and a concert of instrumental music (piano, cello and kannel). A musical celebration of freedom and community spirit.
MELBOURNE – Commemoration of the Baltic Way
📅 Saturday, 23 August 2025, 1.30 PM 📍 Melbourne Latvian House, 3 Dickens Street, Elwood VIC 3164 🎟 By donation (proceeds to the Ukrainian Crisis Appeal)
The Baltic Way was a powerful act of peaceful protest: on 23 August 1989, two million people joined hands to form a 700 km human chain through Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. This symbolic stand against Soviet occupation captured worldwide attention and paved the way for independence two years later.
The Melbourne commemoration will include eyewitness stories from Baltic representatives, reflections by Lithuanian-Australian journalist Jonas Mašanauskas, and an address by Honorary Consul-General of Lithuania, Dana Levickis. Latvian choirs and students will perform, while Café Rīga will offer traditional fare before and after the program.
ADELAIDE – Baltic Way Freedom Concert 2025
📅 Date: Saturday, 23 August 2025, 2.00 PM 📍 Location: Latvian House, 4 Clark St, Wayville SA 5034 🎟 Tickets: Adults $10, children under 18 free – Book here
A joint celebration by Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian communities, the Freedom Concert will feature an afternoon of folkloric performances, unity in song, and plenty of coffee and cake. A chance to remember shared struggles and victories.
PERTH – Celebrating 34 Years of Restoration of Estonian Independence
📅 Date: Saturday, 23 August 2025, 3.00 PM 📍 Location: Estonian Consulate in Western Australia, 11 Langsford Street, Claremont WA 6010 💵 Free entry, no bookings required. More information here
The Perth gathering will combine celebration with reflection, featuring a moving story of Ukrainian families supported by an Estonian family in WA. The program will also highlight upcoming community events, EstWest initiatives, and a new Estonian–Australian media platform. Coffee and cakes provided.
A day to remember
If you can, spend this day with your community. If you can’t, light a candle or step outside, and breathe in freedom. Remember that Estonia is free, you are free, and that is never to be taken for granted.
Event posters for Restoration of Independence Day celebrations. Sources from left to right: Latvian Federation of Australia and New Zealand, Adelaide Estonian Society, Estonian Society of Sydney and Estonian Consulate of Western Australia.
Read more
For those curious about the history of Estonia’s path back to freedom, including photos and documents from the time, visit the Estonian Parliament’s overview: Riigikogu – Taasiseseisvumine (in Estonian)
