Something new and powerful was born in Tallinn this July during the buzz of the Song and Dance Festival: a global sisterhood for Estonian women has taken its first steps — and you’re invited to be part of it.
Meet Lydia.
Named in honour of Lydia Koidula, the pioneering voice of Estonian national awakening, The Lydia brings together Estonian women from around the world — from every generation and background. Whether you’re fluent in Estonian or still finding your way to it, this is a place where your story belongs.
The first in-person gathering took place on 3 July 2025 at the Integration Foundation in Tallinn. Over 20 women from seven countries came together, with more than 50 others registering their interest. Australian Estonian women are among the global mix, and we expect many more to connect in future meetups, both in-person and online.
The idea is simple but powerful: create a space — in English — where women can meet, reconnect with heritage, explore culture, and build lasting connections. Whether it’s chatting about crafts and childhood recipes, diving into family history, refreshing your language skills, or exploring big ideas — The Lydia is here for all of it.
It’s free to join, open to all ages, and no level of “Estonianness” is required. If you’ve ever felt like the only Estonian woman in your town — or if you’ve just recently rediscovered your Estonian roots — this community is for you. More events, including virtual meetups, are coming soon.
Your story matters. Share it.
Register
👉 Sign up here: Lydia sign up form 📧 Questions? Reach out to Lydia coordinator Lisa Kivirist at: lisakivirist[at]gmail.com
Acknowledgement
We’re grateful to Global Estonian and The Lydia founder Lisa Kivirist for this information. You can read more here.
Each September, thousands lace up for the Tallinn Marathon — Estonia’s biggest running event. But did you know you don’t need to be anywhere near the cobbled streets of the Old Town to take part?
Just ask the Bowler family from Canberra, who’ve turned the Swedbank Tallinn Marathon’s virtual run into an annual family affair — complete with medals, misadventures and a hearty dose of Vana Tallinn liqueur at the finish line. (Read this great article about their journey.)
What started as a light-hearted lockdown activity back in 2020 has grown into something much more meaningful for the Bowlers. With Estonian roots on their mother’s side, this running trio — Denis, his son Lawrence, and brother Ross — saw the virtual event as a chance to stay active and connected to their heritage, even from the other side of the world.
Their route may be in Australia, but their hearts (and feet) are clearly running toward Tallinn.
The Bowler tradition now includes a unique blend of family bonding and Baltic flair. They’ve developed a post-run ritual of gathering around a fire pit with Estonia’s favourite liqueur in hand — a far cry from a chilly finish line in Tallinn, but no less festive.
Of course, no family tradition is complete without the occasional hiccup. On their very first attempt, one family member forgot to insert his shoe insole — and didn’t realise until halfway through the run. (A gentle reminder to always check your shoes before clocking 42 kilometres.)
Running with an Estonian flag peeking out of a backpack.
And yes — they run with an Estonian flag peeking out of a backpack. That little flag has sparked conversations with curious passers-by, and even a few new connections — a reminder that culture and community can catch up with you when you least expect it.
While the finish-line swag — medals, t-shirts, and the like — is always appreciated, the Bowlers say the real reward is the sense of belonging. Their virtual run is now an annual checkpoint, both for fitness and for honouring where they come from.
And they’re not alone. Around the world, Estonians abroad have embraced this event as a way to reconnect — no plane ticket required.
Lawrence Bowler participating in the Tallinn Marathon in 2020. Photo by Denis Bowler.
How you can join from Australia
Whether you’re a seasoned runner or more of a casual stroller, the 2025 Tallinn Marathon virtual run (12—14 September 2025) is open for registrations now. Choose your own distance, complete it wherever you are (yes, even your local park counts!), and receive your medal by mail.
You don’t need to train for months or break speed records (unless you want to!) — just a good pair of shoes and a bit of Eesti spirit will do the trick.
Visit jooks.ee to sign up and be part of Estonia’s largest running event — whether you’re running in Tallinn, Toowoomba, or Tasmania.
An alternative method to register using an Australian-issued card is via the World Marathons webpage.
This information is based on the article published on jooks.ee on 26 June 2025 (read below) and the generous information shared by Denis Bowler. Thank you also for the photos, Denis and the Bowler family!
We claim you haven’t truly lived until you’ve heard an entire nation burst into song — and yes, even the sun thought: “Well, I can’t miss this!”
Thanks to Anthony Noack’s epic video highlights from Laulupidu 2025’s final concert, you can now relive the spine-tingling moments (in 3 minutes) when choirs and audience joined forces, flags flew like they meant it, and even the clouds moved aside to make room for the magic.
Warning: May cause sudden singing, flag-waving and tearful pride. 💙🎵
Go on, hit play. We dare you.
Here’s your next hit of Laulupidu magic
We’ve got more where that came from thanks to Anthony Noack, who’s been everywhere with his camera and a smile. Check out these extra treats:
🎥 Aussies at the Laulupidu 2025 Parade — Spot the flags, the proud faces and maybe even yourself! Watch it here
🎥 Opening Day Highlights — Feel the buzz from Day 1 of the song celebration. Watch it here
🎥 Full Final Concert “Iseoma” — When you’re ready to sing (and cry) for three hours straight. Watch it here
Reception at Rüütelkonnahoone, 7 July 2025. Photo: Estonian Ministry of Culture.
In a gesture of gratitude as sincere as it was grand, the Estonian Ministry of Culture hosted a thank you reception for the leaders of international choirs and dance groups who participated in this year’s Laulu- ja tantsupidu (Song and Dance Festival). Among them were our very own Australian Estonian choirs and dance groups.
These Australian Estonian groups received Letters of Appreciation from the Ministry.
🎶 Kooskõlas – the Australian Estonian national choir led by conductor Naomi Cooper. This group brings together singers from across the country, including from Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
Australian Estonian national choir “Kooskõlas” conductor Naomi Cooper. Photo by Estonian Ministry of Culture.
🎶 Kodu Kaja – the Melbourne Estonian women’s choir led by conductor Hilja Toom.
Melbourne choir “Kodu Kaja” conductor Hilja Toom and the Estonian Minister of Culture Heidy Purga. Photo: Estonian Ministry of Culture.
💃 Virmalised – the national folk dance group led by Ella Scott. The group includes dancers from New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and South Australia.
Australian national folk dance group “Virmalised” lead Ella Scott and the Estonian Minister of Culture Heidy Purga. Photo: Estonian Ministry of Culture.
💃 FolkRoos – the Brisbane Estonian ladies’ folk dance group.
More about the reception
Held at the Cultural Ministry’s stately home Rüütelkonnahoone in Toompea on 7 July 2025, the reception was a warm and elegant affair. It brought together cultural leaders, including Estonia’s Minister of Culture Heidy Purga, Laulupidu’s chief conductor Heli Jürgenson, and Tantsupidu’s chief choreographer Helena-Mariana Reimann.
Each group leader received a formal letter of thanks in recognition of their work and commitment in keeping Estonia’s cultural flame alive abroad. The evening included a beautiful piano performance, a traditional kohvilaud (Estonian-style coffee table filled with treats), and a guided tour of the Ministry’s historic home.
Interested in stats?
At the Song Festival, 45 international groups performed, representing 1,500 singers and musicians. This included 31 Estonian collectives from abroad (with 1,100 participants) and 14 guest groups (500 participants).
At the Dance Festival, 38 international dance groups participated with nearly 600 dancers performing.
Together, these international participants made up over 5% of all performers.
Final words
We celebrate this beautiful moment of recognition together with Australian Estonian singers and dancers. We know it has taken much dedication and effort from the group leaders and members to bring your voices and dances across the world.
We saw you at Laulu- ja tantsupidu. We heard you. And we couldn’t be prouder.
Reception at Rüütelkonnahoone, 7 July 2025. Photo: Estonian Ministry of Culture.
Acknowledgements
A big thank you to Hilja Toom for the information about this event!
Thank you also to the Estonian Ministry of Culture for the photos.
The XXI Estonian Dance Festival wrapped up on Friday night in true Estonian style — with precision, passion and just a hint of party sparkle. After five long days of joint rehearsals, 11,000 dancers lit up Kalev Stadium with the final performance of “Iseoma”, the 2025 dance spectacular that moved both hearts and hamstrings.
Over 44,000 people came to see the magic unfold across three performances, including the final show, which opened with an oak wreath ceremony for the festival’s group leaders — a touching tradition led this year by Ene Jakobson, mother of chief director Helena-Mariana Reimann.
The event even drew Baltic presidential power: Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian presidents were all in the audience, snapping selfies and soaking up the spectacle.
And what a spectacle it was. From blazing sun to cheeky drizzle and the kind of gusts that could lift a skirt or two, Estonian weather made its usual cameo. But the dancers? Glorious. As Reimann herself said, the joy on their faces made it all worth it.
Australian Estonian Virmalised dancing at Tantsupidu. Photo by Kristel Alla.
Let’s not forget the sheer logistics: 57,000 meals (23 tonnes of soup!), thousands of plasters for blistered feet, and a stadium transformed with gorgeous wave motifs. Some of those decorations travelled on to adorn the Song Festival Grounds — because why waste good design?
And because no true Estonian event is complete without a bit of romance: yes, once again there was a marriage proposal mid-festival. Love and folk dance go hand in hand, after all.
But for the Australian Estonian crowd, the magic didn’t end at the stadium where our folk dance groups, Folkroos and Virmalised, danced up a storm (they were soo good, it was a joy to watch!). There was more.
Dance Festival afterparty. Photo by Kristel Alla.
Afterparty
On Friday night, as the moon rose over Tallinn’s Old Town, the real afterparty began — at Fotografiska, no less. Yes, that Fotografiska: the stylish museum-bar-gallery hybrid where hip meets heritage. There, members of Australia’s Estonian folk dance groups — still buzzing from the week’s events — gathered with fellow Aussie Estonians from all corners of the country to toast to an unforgettable festival.
Fuelled by music that made us all feel like kids again — the kind you’d hear on old cassette tapes at grandma’s — the night burst into spontaneous dancing. But not just any dancing. Tuljak!
Suddenly, the pub floor was packed with perfectly synced pairs performing one of Estonia’s most technically demanding folk dances — and doing it flawlessly. If you know, you know: Tuljak is no casual shuffle. Watching it performed so joyfully, mid-party, with beers in hand and smiles all around? Pure poetry in motion.
As the night wore on and the last chords of familiar tunes faded into the small hours, one thing was clear: whether on stadium turf or bar floorboards, Estonians — including our spirited crew from Down Under — know how to dance, connect, and celebrate what makes us uniquely “Iseoma.”
I’ve loved being part of this epic extravaganza. No words — you just had to be there.
If you’ve ever stood among 30,000+ singers, shoulder to shoulder, pouring your heart into a song about hope, history and people — welcome to Laulupidu. If you haven’t, well… you simply must come next time. Words can’t quite describe it.
Estonia’s national Song Festival (Laulupidu) is one of the world’s most powerful musical gatherings — not just a concert, but a cultural heartbeat. It’s the kind of event where you don’t just listen to music, you become the music, standing in a sea of voices, all moving as one. Goosebumps? Guaranteed.
It all began with a song… and a spark
The first Laulupidu took place in June 1869 in Tartu, south Estonia — then part of the Russian Empire — and it was more than just a musical event. It was a political and emotional revolution in four-part harmony.
At a time when Estonians were still ruled by Baltic German landlords and Tsarist authorities, a quiet cultural awakening began. The people were learning to read, forming choirs, and — thanks to visionary organisers like Johann Voldemar Jannsen and the Vanemuine singing society — finding their voice as a nation.
That first festival gathered 46 male choirs and five brass bands — 878 singers and musicians in total. On the program were just two original Estonian-language songs (both set to Estonian Lydia Koidula’s patriotic poetry), but their impact was thunderous. From that moment, singing together became not only a form of artistic expression, but also a national act of courage.
Singing through storms — and occupation
Over the next century, the song festival tradition grew. Even as Estonia passed through periods of independence, war, Soviet occupation and renewed freedom, Laulupidu endured.
Foreign powers tried to co-opt it: Tsarist authorities demanded “Thanksgiving Song Festivals,” and the Soviets rebranded them as communist pageants. But Estonians knew better. They sang the required propaganda — but always made room for their songs too.
One of the most beloved was Gustav Ernesaks’s stirring arrangement of “Mu isamaa on minu arm” (My Fatherland is My Love), set to Lydia Koidula’s text. It became the unofficial national anthem during the Soviet years. And when tens of thousands stood to sing it — even when they weren’t supposed to — no one needed to say what it meant.
The Singing Revolution
By 1988, those quiet voices swelled into a roar. 300,000+ people gathered at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds to sing patriotic songs and demand independence in what became known as the Singing Revolution.
No violence. Just voices. A nation quite literally sang itself free.
Estonians often say that in 1869, we sang ourselves into a nation. And in 1991, we sang ourselves out of occupation. Our voices are strong and we know how to use them.
Every five years — with heart, harmony and hairpins
Today, Laulupidu is held every five years in Tallinn, on a stage purpose-built in 1960 that has hosted up to 24,500 singers at once. (Yes, twenty-four thousand. At the same time. On one stage. No pressure.)
Choirs spend years preparing. Only the most polished ensembles — those who master the challenging repertoire through rounds of regional rehearsals — make it to the final event. It’s an honour just to stand on that stage, let alone sing.
For the audience, the experience is equally unforgettable. The line between performer and spectator blurs; you don’t just witness something grand — you join it. Whether you’re on stage or in the crowd, you’re part of the same story, the same song. We all sing together.
Photo by Kaupo Kikkas
More than a festival — a living bond
Estonians often refer to themselves as a “singing people.” It’s not just a pretty phrase. It’s a declaration of identity — one forged in choirs, concerts, and moments of national transformation.
And no matter where in the world Estonians may roam — from Tallinn to Sydney to Adelaide to Melbourne — the song festival remains a golden thread that ties us together across oceans and generations.
Just ask the Australian Estonian choir members who devoted years to rehearsals, all to stand and sing at Laulupidu. Ask them what it felt like. They’ll tell you, there’s no feeling in the world quite like it.
When we sing together, we remember who we are — and we dream of who we might become. Our voices hold power.
Yesterday, we gave you a taste of the parade – Aussie Estonian singers and dancers doing what they do best: turning heads and making noise (the beautiful and joyful kind). Today? We’re turning up the volume with Day 1 of Laulupidu!
Sure, a photo says a thousand words… but a video? That’s drama, delight, and a whole lot of “wow” packed into 60 glorious seconds. While we’re still collecting our jaws from the floor and figuring out how to put this feeling into words, here’s a little something that speaks for itself.
Huge thanks to Anthony Noack – Melbourne-based writer, videographer and producer – for capturing the spirit of the day so beautifully. Aitäh, Anthony!
If Estonians are known for anything, it’s that we’re not afraid of a little weather. Today in Tallinn, under a very moody sky, Estonian Australians joined the great procession of the XXVIII Song and XXI Dance Celebration “Iseoma”, strutting the 5 km route from Vabaduse väljak to Lauluväljak with 45,000 other festival-goers.
Yes, it rained. Yes, it kept raining. Yes, we wore ponchos. And yes — some of us have now formally apologised to the poncho community for doubting their style credibility. Because if you haven’t seen a national costume paired with a rain poncho, let alone tens of thousands of them, you’re missing out on high fashion meets folklore in its boldest form.
Estonians don’t just walk in a parade — they perform it
There was singing, shouting, cheering, limericks, drumrolls, and spontaneous acts of acrobatics. Someone literally did a handstand. Entire groups broke into songs, while audience members joined in or — better yet — ran right into the parade to hug a mate or shout a joyful “Elagu!”
Little kids yawned. Dads promised it was “almost over.” Strangers sang in sync. And of course, Estonian Australians — ever magnetic — somehow managed to find each other amid a crowd of over 100,000. We must have a sixth sense for this.
What rain? There’s singing to be done
After the parade, the opening concert kicked off with ceremonial fire, presidential speeches, and thunderous rounds of flag-waving and hand-waving.
The combined choirs were magnificent, shaking raindrops loose from tree leaves with the sheer force of harmony. From where we stood under the iconic Laulukaar, it was joy in stereo. Flags flew, hands waved, the crowd sang along — drenched, yes, but undeterred.
Macchiatos and magic moments
Waiting for all the groups to arrive gave us time to warm up with food, friends and a few musical curveballs — like a surprise orchestra performance of Tommy Cash’s Eurovision number “Café Macchiato” (yes, really). And just when you think the moments of magic have peaked, someone on your left yells your name — and boom, another Aussie Estonian reunion in the wild.
On the bus, still singing
Just when we thought the day was over, something beautiful happened. On a packed bus heading out of town, someone started singing “Mesipuu poole”. Others joined in. And just like that, our bus was full of voices — tired, wet, buzzing with joy, and still singing.
Stay tuned: Dance festival highlights coming soon
We’ll be back soon with tales from the tantsupidu — and yes, you will want to read those. Spoiler alert: Tuljak broke out in a pub last night and it was glorious.
Final day of Laulupidu tomorrow!
Don’t forget — tomorrow is the second and final day of the song festival. Rain, shine or sideways snow, we’ll be there. Because when it comes to our culture, our people, and our music — we show up, we sing loud, and we find each other in the crowd.
Let’s keep dancing. Let’s keep singing. And let’s hope the food stalls stay well-stocked — some of us definitely skipped lunch (while having too much fun).
Video link
Here’s a brilliant video by Anthony Noack featuring the Estonian Australian choirs and folk dancers at the Song and Dance Festival procession on 6 July 2025. Click below.
Photos
Here’s a glimpse into today’s procession and concert in Tallinn in photos.
Thank you!
Our gratitude goes to Anthony Noack for his speedy and excellent video production. We are also grateful to Hilja Toom and Esmée Okamoto for contributing with their wonderful photos and information.
Selfies at Laulupidu 2025 rehearsals, from the private collection of Hilja Toom.
Today marks the start of Laulupidu in Tallinn — and what a moment it is! It’s your chance to cheer on the incredible Australian Estonian choirs (Kooskõlas and Kodu Kaja) and give a heartfelt thank you (and a fond farewell) to our talented folk dancers (Virmalised and Folkroos), who wrapped up their stellar performances yesterday.
At 1pm, the streets of Tallinn will come alive with a grand parade featuring both singers and dancers — a beautiful celebration of tradition, talent and togetherness.
But why wait? Here’s a little preview of the magic to come: photos of the Melbourne Estonian choir “Kodu Kaja” in rehearsal, captured right here in Tallinn, and a recording of the hauntingly beautiful “Oh oleks minu olemine” — one of the songs they’ll perform at Laulupidu today.
Selfies at Laulupidu 2025 rehearsals, from the private collection of Hilja Toom.
The video linked below was filmed on 18 May 2025 by Anthony Noack, with filming support from Tom Conyers. Together, they run a video production company and have generously captured this special moment for all of us to enjoy.
Laulupidu 2025 by the numbers
This year’s XXVIII Song and XXI Dance Celebration, titled “Iseoma”, is one of the biggest cultural gatherings in Estonian history — and it’s only just begun.
The ceremonial flame, lit at sunrise at the Estonian National Museum in Tartu, has travelled for 18 days across all 15 counties of Estonia in a symbolic journey known as Tuletulemine. Now, over 41,000 performers have gathered in Tallinn to bring the celebration to life.
Among them are:
32,000 singers, including 1,500 performers from 45 international choirs
A record-breaking 10,938 dancers, and over 500 dancers from Estonian communities abroad
765 folk musicians, including 88 ensembles and 65 solo players
This year also marks a historic first: all three artistic leads — for song, dance, and folk music — are women.
The numbers behind the scenes are just as staggering. Volunteers and support crews are serving up 178,000 portions of soup and slicing 205,000 pieces of bread.
And the audience? The opening concert is expected to draw around 48,000 ticketed spectators, while the final concert could welcome up to 58,000.
In total, 990 choirs and orchestras, made up of more than 31,000 singers and musicians, will take part.
The overall budget for this massive national celebration? Estimated at around six million euros, with about a third funded through ticket sales.
From 6-year-old dancers to a 93-year-old singer, Laulupidu is a living, breathing tapestry of Estonia — past, present, and future.
Some of us have been lucky (and slightly sleep-deprived) enough to make the 22+ hour pilgrimage from Australia to Estonia for this summer’s epic Song and Dance Festival. Yes, we overthinkers weighed up the costs, the time off work, time away from home — some of us even made pros-and-cons lists (guilty!). And whether you made the choice to come or not this time, let me give you a little peek into what it’s really like here right now.
Picture this: everywhere you go — the café, the bus stop, the corner park bench — the festival follows you. This isn’t just a weekend event. This is Estonianism dialled up to 11… and then another notch for good measure. The streets hum with colour, with song, with national costumes swishing past as naturally as shopping bags. Everyone’s either performing, spectating, dancing, singing, or heading to do one of those things.
And me? I’m heading into my second dance performance of the week, with two song festival performances still ahead. Go big or go home, right?
The best part? The hundreds of thousands of spectators haven’t even started singing yet. But you know it’s coming. That glorious, goosebump-inducing, tear-welling moment when voices rise together and it feels like time itself is standing still in tune.
If you’re at home — feel free to live vicariously through the photos, the livestreams, the late-night dance party updates. If you’re here — put on your rahvariided or just your brightest smile, step outside, and join the biggest (and best-dressed) block party on Earth.
Because this isn’t just a cultural festival. This is movement. This is memory. This is belonging. This is love wrapped in linen and passed from generation to generation. Don’t miss this!
See you soon!
With much love, Your fellow Estonian (Australian) — currently powered by pure joy, kama and national pride 💙
World Congress, 2 July 2025. Photo by Kristel Alla
On 2 July 2025, Estonians from across the globe gathered at the Radisson Collection Hotel in Tallinn for the International Congress of Estonian Organisations. The event was part of this year’s ESTO 2025 celebrations. The theme, “Global Estonians and Collective Memory”, was a call to reflect on who we are, where we come from, and where we go next, together.
The congress was hosted by the Estonian World Council (ÜEKN), established in New York in 1954, which has long served as a bridge between Estonia and its global diaspora. Today, an estimated 200,000 Estonians live outside of Estonia, making up about one in five Estonians worldwide. The congress was a rare moment for these communities to come together in one place — an event where “old met new” not only in age, but in perspective, experience and energy.
Unity in uncertain times
The day opened with powerful and reassuring remarks from Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jonatan Vseviov. Their presence brought welcome reassurance: Estonia sees its diaspora not as distant relatives, but as integral parts of the nation’s fabric.
Their speeches didn’t shy away from serious topics: the war in Europe, the threat from Russia, and the fragile architecture of global security. Speaking candidly about Estonia’s security and the broader geopolitical landscape, both leaders underlined the country’s unwavering stance: that Estonia’s independence and territorial integrity are non-negotiable. “We are stronger than ever before, we have great allies,” Tsahkna said, “and Estonia will never give up its freedom again.” Around 90% of Estonians reportedly agree, and almost 80% say they would defend Estonia personally. That kind of unity transcends borders.
Revisiting identity
Throughout the day, the conversations – both official and over coffee – revisited timeless themes with fresh urgency: What does it mean to be Estonian abroad? What binds us together, and how do we hold onto identity when languages fade and memories stretch across oceans and generations?
The panel discussion on national identity and cultural memory in the diaspora highlighted just that. From the impact of the 1944 mass flight to the importance of language, literature, and journalism in shaping identity abroad, the stories shared spanned trauma, trust, and tenacity. Many recalled how early Estonian communities abroad leaned on newspapers and literature to stay connected — not just to news, but to each other.
“Many recalled how early Estonian communities abroad leaned on newspapers and literature to stay connected — not just to news, but to each other.”
There was honest reflection, too, on the fragility of truth in an age of disinformation, and how the loss or distortion of memory can erode the shared sense of history that holds a people together. Several speakers warned how historical narratives shaped by foreign influence — especially Soviet – still linger in Western academia and media, subtly distorting the way Estonian history is perceived even today. Ensuring that Estonian voices are heard, loud and clear, is not only a cultural issue but a geopolitical one.
One of the most galvanising contributions came from Aho Rebas, representative of Estonians in Sweden, who reminded attendees of the quiet strength of the diaspora. Today, there are over 600 Estonian organisations in 27 countries, forming a unique global network that offers enormous value to Estonia through language skills, local knowledge, diplomatic connections, business investments, lobbying power, and training capacity. The potential of this global Estonian resource is significant — and still growing.
Young voices, candid approaches
Perhaps the most energising part of the day came during the roundtable on the formation of Estonian identity among young people abroad. There was no sugar-coating the challenges: generational gaps, language loss, dual identities, and the fact that not every young person wants to join a choir or organise a heritage day.
Young Estonians living abroad spoke openly about dual identity, belonging, and what works when trying to keep younger generations engaged. Their insights were refreshing and honest. They talked about feeling both “being inside” and “being outside” — not quite fully Estonian in their adopted countries, but not always seen as fully local either. And yet, they weren’t disillusioned. Quite the opposite.
They asked for trust, not tokenism. For real roles, not symbolic invitations. For new formats that reflect modern lives — whether that’s flexible volunteering, task-based contributions, or communication via channels they already use.
“They asked for trust, not tokenism. For real roles, not symbolic invitations. For new formats that reflect modern lives…”
One young voice put it plainly: “We’re not a rare species — just ask us, and let us in.” Another said, “We don’t need to replace old traditions, but give us space to create something of our own alongside them.”
The story that connect us
The day ended with hope. While the challenges are real — from geopolitical uncertainty to generational transitions — the congress reaffirmed that Estonians, wherever they live, share a common heartbeat. Whether through song, speech, memory, or action, the global Estonian story is being written by many hands, young and old alike.
And if this congress proved anything, it’s that when those hands come together, they create something powerful.
Watch a recording of this congress on YouTube linked below.
Thursday, 3 July 2025, marks the grand opening of the XXVIII Song Festival and XXI Dance Festival, affectionately titled “Kinship” (Iseoma). The celebrations will sweep across Tallinn until Sunday, 6 July, and trust us – it’s unmissable, even from across the globe!
You can feel the festival in the air
Every five years, Estonia bursts into song and dance like nowhere else on Earth – and this year is no exception. If you’ve made the trip to Tallinn, chances are you already feel it: joyful choirs, rehearsing dancers, festival posters plastered everywhere, and of course… Estonians from Australia popping up on every corner!
Honestly, it’s been a delightful surprise seeing so many familiar Aussie Estonian faces. Whether it’s because we’ve got a particularly passionate folk scene or simply because we just can’t resist a good laulupidu, it feels like a reunion of sorts over here.
Over the past week, I’ve walked past spontaneous dance practices in schoolyards, spotted festival guides at tram stops, and caught snippets of familiar accents on nearly every Tallinn street.
Australian Estonian folk dance groups in the spotlight
If you haven’t already, catch the pride and joy of our Aussie Estonian community on screen! Our incredible dance groups Virmalised and Folkroos have been featured on Estonian TV and media:
ERR published a lovely article by Tõnn Viik highlighting Folkroos and others who’ve travelled far and wide to take part. Read it here (in English).
They’re repping us Down Under with pride – let’s cheer them on!
Rehearsals for the Dance Festival at Kalev Stadium. Photo by Ken Mürk/ERR
Aussie Estonians taking over Tallinn
As someone who lives in Melbourne now but was raised in Estonia, I’ve gotten used to flying under the radar when I visit home. Not this time. Whether it’s Leo from my folk dance group bumping into me at Elisa while sorting out a SIM card, or Ingrid from the Estonian Society popping in right after him – Tallinn feels like one big Estonian Australian meetup!
At Raekoja plats, I caught up with a friend at a concert and in just half an hour, no fewer than four Aussie groups waved hello in passing. And let’s not even get started on the Global Estonians networking event last Tuesday – the Aussie crowd was out in force!
Just yesterday, I posed proudly in front of the Estonian and Australian flags alongside friends from Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and beyond. There’s no better time to be an Estonian Australian in Estonia!
How to watch the festival from Australia
Couldn’t make the trip this year? No worries – you can still be part of the magic from your couch!
All the main events will be broadcast live on ERR, so grab a blanket, brew a cup of herbal tea (or crack open a Saku if you’re going full local), and settle in.
🕐 Remember to convert to your local time zone! All listed times are in Estonian time (EEST).
Here’s a glimpse into the scale of this year’s celebration: 41,192 performers in total (!) 11,613 dancers, including 10,938 performing across three shows 32,022 singers 765 musicians from 88 folk groups 45 foreign song groups (1,500 participants) 38 foreign dance groups (600 dancers) 550 regional rehearsals led up to this magical weekend.
Whether you’re dancing in Tallinn or dancing in your living room, this weekend is all about celebrating our kinship — with Estonia, with music, and with each other.
