Even if the Southern Hemisphere gives us winter, Estonians know how to bring the summer spirit alive! This Sunday, 8 June 2025 at 2 pm, step into a world of warmth, tradition and celebration at the Estonian House, 200 Jeffcott Street, North Adelaide.
We’re lighting up the afternoon with joyful folk dancing by Vikerkaar, soul-stirring songs from the Hapu Koor Choir, and the kind of friendly atmosphere that feels like coming home.
After the entertainment, stay for a classic barbecue, followed by coffee and cake – and don’t forget to visit the bar for a refreshing drink or two!
Come along and celebrate beloved Estonian Jaanipäev tradition with music, dance, food, age-appropriate drinks and community spirit. Bring your friends, your family and your appetite for a little midsummer joy!
Tickets
Adult tickets $20, teens (13-17 years) $10, and children (0-12 years) free.
🎟️ Reserve your spot here and let’s make this a celebration to remember!
Drawing by Merle Lester, from the collection of the artist
On Sunday, 15 June 2025, the serene landscapes of the Blue Mountains will host “Meditations from the Heart”, an evocative art exhibition by esteemed Estonian Australian artist Merle Lester.
This one-day event that runs from 11 am to 4 pm at the BigCi Art Venue (82 Hanlons Road North, Bilpin NSW 2758) promises an immersive journey into the depths of introspection and spiritual exploration.
🎨 About the artist
Merle Lester (née Wiitpom) arrived in Sydney in 1949 at the tender age of four, accompanying her Estonian parents who fled Tallinn in 1944. Her artistic journey commenced with a scholarship as an Art Teacher Trainee, leading her to study at the National Art School and Alexander Mackie Teachers College from 1962 to 1966. Over the past six decades, Merle has cultivated an impactful artistic practice, while dedicating 30 years to nurturing young minds as a high school art teacher.
Merle’s artworks are deeply introspective, delving into themes of spiritual awareness, the essence of life, and the intricate patterns of the inner self. Her pieces often feature abstract representations of cellular and microscopic phenomena, rendered through intuitive lines, vibrant colors and textured forms. Influenced by the theories of Paul Klee, Vasily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, as well as Buddhist mandalas and Australian Aboriginal paintings, her work resonates with a universal quest for meaning and connection.
🖼️ The exhibition
Meditations from the Heart showcases a curated selection of Merle’s most poignant works, each reflecting her lifelong exploration of spirituality and the human experience. Visitors can expect to encounter pieces that not only captivate the eye but also invite contemplation and emotional resonance.
The exhibition is set against the backdrop of BigCi (Bilpin international ground for Creative initiatives), an independent, artist-run, not-for-profit artist residency program nestled near the Wollemi National Park. Founded by artist Rae Bolotin and environmentalist Yuri Bolotin, BigCi is dedicated to supporting artists’ professional development and facilitating their creative projects.
🥂 Join in
Attendees are encouraged to stay for a communal lunch – please bring your own drinks and a plate to share. This gathering offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow art enthusiasts, engage in meaningful conversations, and celebrate the rich tapestry of Estonian Australian art.
Experience the convergence of art, spirituality and community at Meditations from the Heart. We look forward to welcoming you to this celebration.
More information
For information or inquiries, please email Merle Lester at merlelester1945[at]gmail.com.
Photo of the Estonian Dance Festival in Tallinn by Raigo Pajula. Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BVqNESETd/
If you blinked and missed out on tickets to this year’s Estonian Dance Festival in Tallinn – you’re not alone. With over 33,000 people set to attend the three main performances, tickets were snapped up in minutes, leaving many fans scrambling, including us Down Under.
But there’s good news: more than 3,000 tickets to the dress rehearsal of the XXIDance Festival (3 July 2025) will go on sale this Thursday, 5 June at 12.00 (Tallinn time). This rare second chance is a welcome surprise for those eager to witness one of Estonia’s most loved cultural spectacles.
The Dance Festival, which takes place every five years alongside the Song Festival, is a dazzling display of Estonian folk dance, tradition and national pride. Held at the Kalev Central Stadium in Tallinn, the event brings together thousands of dancers from across the country – young and old – who move in perfectly synchronised formations to live music, telling stories through movement, colour and heritage.
It’s not just a show – it’s a deeply emotional celebration of Estonian identity. Fun to be a part of, fun to watch. Expect to be impressed.
According to Margus Toomla, head of the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration Foundation, demand for tickets has been unprecedented:
“We are pleased that we can somewhat ease the shortage of tickets with the dress rehearsal performance and offer more than 3,000 people the opportunity to experience the dance show.”
While the dress rehearsal is primarily meant for special guests – dance instructors, members of organising committees, survivors of political repression, and people from various charitable organisations – tickets will also be available to the public viaPiletilevi.ee.
So, if you’re travelling to Estonia this July or know someone who is – set your alarms and don’t miss out again. This magical event is worth the effort. Write it on your to-do list now.
On 4 June 1884, deep in the southern Estonian town of Otepää, a flag of blue, black and white was blessed during a semi-secret church ceremony. It was originally the banner of the Estonian Students’ Society, but quickly grew to symbolise something much greater – the dreams and determination of the Estonian people.
On June 4th, Estonians around the world proudly celebrate Estonian Flag Day, a date that honours the origins and endurance of our beloved sinimustvalge – the blue, black and white tricolour that has become a lasting emblem of the nation’s resilience, unity and spirit.
What began as a student fraternity’s colours soon became a flag carried by citizens, soldiers and singers in search of freedom. It was banned under occupations, burned by regimes, and carried into exile by tens of thousands. And still, it flew – across oceans, in hearts, and now once again above Pikk Hermann Tower in Tallinn, where it was first officially raised in 1918.
The Estonian flag is now the oldest national flag in the world that has survived in its original form, a testament to the perseverance of the people who upheld its meaning.
In Estonia, Flag Day is marked by the ceremonial raising of the flag at dawn, with the first notes of our national anthem, Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm. Flags wave across rooftops, in windows and in hands – a visible tribute to the journey of a nation.
Here’s a poem dedicated to the Estonian flag for you.
Standing guard by the flag
When I sit on my windowsill, overlooking the city that’s eight hundred years old, I see a sea of red rooftops, grey towers, old churches – and rising above them all, the tall spire of Pikk Hermann where the flag of my country is hoisted each morning.
With a hot cup of coffee warming my hands, I settle into the view, watching, waiting – making sure the right flag flies.
Not so long ago, a different flag flew there. One in five of my people were killed or deported. There wasn’t a single family untouched by grief.
For fifty years we waited – for someone to come, to rescue, to care about our dead. But no one came.
So it was our mothers, our fathers, our grandparents – who rose when no one else did. They carried the weight, they lit the flame, they made sure we would endure.
I was just a child, but the echoes of that time live on inside me.
And still, each morning, as the flag is raised above the rooftops, I pause – to remember, to hope, and to watch the sky for signs of peace.
Elagu Eesti ja elagu sinimustvalge! Long live Estonia, and long live the blue, black and white!
Get ready for another unforgettable week of culture, connection and fun – Sõrve Summer Camp 2026 is now open for registrations! The camp will take place from 4–11 January 2026 at the scenic Point Wolstoncroft Sport and Recreation Centre, located on the shores of Lake Macquarie, New South Wales.
What is Sõrve Summer Camp?
Sõrve is a long-standing Estonian Australian summer tradition, bringing together families from across the country for a week of sport, culture, community and connection. First held nearly 70 years ago, Sõrve offers Estonian-themed experiences for children, young people and adults through:
exciting outdoor and indoor activities
Estonian language and cultural workshops
theme nights, games and performances
leadership development and mentoring for young people
a chance to build lifelong friendships in a welcoming space.
Sõrve caters to participants of all ages – from toddlers with their parents to primary and high school children – and includes leadership roles for young adults.
Why attend Sõrve?
Sõrve isn’t just a summer holiday – it’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity to:
reconnect with Estonian roots in a fun, hands-on environment
meet other Estonian Australian families and build community ties
let kids explore independently while parents relax (or join in)
make lasting memories
enjoy a break in nature with access to a world-class recreational facility.
Many families return year after year, and for many children, Sõrve becomes the highlight of their summer(s)!
Why Sõrve matters
Sõrve plays an important role in keeping Estonian heritage alive in Australia. It’s a cherished tradition for Estonian Australian families that they look forward to each year, offering:
a space to experience Estonian language, history and traditions outside of formal settings
a platform for youth leadership and mentoring that flows back into the broader community
a welcoming, intergenerational environment where stories and values are passed on
a shared legacy – something children, parents and grandparents can all be part of.
For almost 70 years, Sõrve has nurtured identity, connection and pride in Estonian heritage in Australia – and it continues to grow and evolve with each generation.
Register early to save
Due to increasing demand and rising costs from NSW Sport & Recreation, registrations have opened early this year. Early registration helps the organising committee plan ahead and ensure everyone gets a place.
🔗 Register now at: www.sorve.org.au 📅 Camp dates: 4–11 January 2026 📍 Location: Point Wolstoncroft Sport & Recreation Centre, Gwandalan NSW 2259
Camp fees
2026 camp fees (based on age): 0-1y11m – $0 2y-4y11m – $250 5y-12y11m – $836.50 13y-17y11m – $875 Parents of 0y to 7y11m – $1,050 Adults – $1,060
Registration timeline and pricing
Register and pay by 31 July 2026 for 2025 prices (early bird!) 1 August – 30 September 2026: pay 2026 prices 1–31 October 2026: pay 2026 fees + 10% 1–30 November 2026: pay 2026 fees + 20% From 1 December 2026: registrations closed
Families from interstate or regional areas may be eligible for the Hans Ots Scholarship to assist with costs. ➡️ Learn more at sorve.org.au/register.html
💡 Discounts available 5% off for first-time children
5% off for first-time parents accompanying a first-time C Group/F Troop child
5% off for families with 3 or more children
Venue details
Point Wolstoncroft Sport and Recreation Centre, Kanangra Drive, Gwandalan NSW 2259. This is a stunning location on Lake Macquarie, surrounded by Wallarah National Park and Munmorah State Conservation Area.
Final remarks
Whether you’re a returning camper or joining for the first time, Sõrve is more than just a summer camp – it’s a cultural home away from home.
Hold onto your flower crowns and roll up your linen trousers – Perth is about to get gloriously muddy. On Saturday, 14 June 2025 at 3 pm, the Latvian Centre in Belmont becomes the wildest slice of Baltic summer traditions south of the equator. EstWest is teaming up with their Baltic besties for a midsummer celebration like no other. And this time, the main event isn’t just the bonfire. It’s MUD WRESTLING.
Yes, you read that right. Midsummer. In Perth. With an inflatable mud pool. Mostly intended for kids, but eager adults welcome.
This is NOT your average solstice gathering. This is NOT a wellness retreat. This is high-stakes, high-splash Baltic sportsmanship at its best.
🥋Calling all mud gladiators
Experienced wrestling champions and first-time flailers – this is your moment. Whether you’ve got serious grappling skills or just a fierce commitment to sliding with style, we want YOU in the ring (OK, technically it’s an inflatable pool, and it’s full of mud).
There’ll be prizes for the winners, eternal glory, and possibly a weird bruise you’ll have a great story to share about at work on Monday. And if you have international mud-wrestling referee experience – we want you too. Bonus points if you can whistle while dodging flying limbs and globs of earth.
Once you’ve honoured your ancestors through full-contact sports, we’ve got you covered: on-site steamy sauna awaits. You can clean up, warm up, and reflect on your life choices while sweating in the company of other brave (and muddy) souls.
But wait – there is more!
This celebration isn’t just about flinging each other into dirt. It’s a whole evening of Baltic midsummer magic, inspired by ancient traditions that pre-date Christianity – and outlast hangovers. Expect:
traditional folk dancing from the brilliant Pērkonītis
bonfire lighting and (optional) flame-jumping (just like the ancestors… minus the fire safety inspectors)
live entertainment and maybe a cheeky folk karaoke battle
delicious Baltic cuisine and drinks that taste like Grandma’s kitchen and Dad’s liquor cabinet had a party
plenty of pagan energy, even if it’s winter in Australia (just jump in the sauna – same vibe).
Across Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania; Jaanipäev, Jāņi, and Joninės are celebrations of light, love, nature and letting loose. Bonfires ward off evil spirits, flower crowns bring good fortune, and if you find seven flowers before sunrise, your dreams might just come true. (Although you’ll probably just find someone’s lost sock in the mud pit.)
A party for everyone
Whether you’re Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian – or just really into mud wrestling, folk songs, and flame-leaping fun – this is your kind of party. Everyone’s welcome, from culture enthusiasts to curious onlookers. Bring the kids, your dancing feet and a towel.
Event details
🗓️ Date: Saturday, 14 June 2025 🕒 Time: 3,00 PM – 11.00 PM 📍 Location: Latvian Centre, 60 Cleaver Tce, Belmont WA 2280
💰Tickets
Update (6 June): Thanks to a grant from the Office of Multicultural Interests of Western Australia, EstWest has been able to reduce ticket prices for their Midsummer event in Perth. Updated pricing is listed below.
Adults and seniors: $10 Children: free
If you’ve already purchased a ticket, no need to worry – your existing ticket is still valid, and you’ll automatically receive a refund for the difference. Read more here.
Midsummer is about celebrating the light – or in Australia’s case, laughing through the darkness with good food, good company, and a few unexpected bruises. So come join us – it’s the kind of night you’ll tell your grandchildren about. Or at least explain to your dry cleaner.
See you ringside. Flower crowns optional. Elbow pads encouraged.
Excitement is building for the very first Queensland Family Camp (Queenslandi Perelaager), taking place from 7–9 November 2025 at the picturesque Tyalgum Ridge Retreat, nestled among rolling hills just over an hour’s drive from the Gold Coast.
Organised by the Gold Coast Estonian Society, in collaboration with the Brisbane Estonian Society and generous support from the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Integration Foundation, this family camp promises an unforgettable weekend of Estonian connection, fun and culture.
Within two days, all 100 spots were snapped up – an incredible response that shows just how much interest there is in attending the camp among families of Estonian heritage in Queensland. If you missed out, there’s still hope! You can now join the waitlist, and the organisers are actively exploring the possibility of increasing capacity.
The camp kicks off on Friday afternoon and wraps up Sunday after lunch, with a full schedule of family-friendly activities inspired by Estonian language, culture, folklore and even pop culture.
Highlights include:
engaging activities for children of all ages, grouped by age for a tailored camp experience
campfires, film nights and a children’s disco
friendly competitions and workshops designed to celebrate all things Estonian
a relaxed and welcoming environment for families to connect, play and create memories.
Source: https://www.eestilapsed.com.au/
💰 Pricing and inclusions
Thanks to generous sponsorship, participation costs have been kept as affordable as possible.
Camp fees: $75 per adult $50 per child (ages 3–18) Free for children aged 0–2 years.
For example, a family of four (2 adults and 2 children) can expect to pay $250 total – which covers accommodation, meals and all activities for the entire weekend.
What’s included:
2 nights’ accommodation in a purpose-built lodge with bunk beds and en-suite bathrooms (over 20 rooms available)
6 full meals and 3 snacks prepared on-site (from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch)
all camp activities and entertainment for both children and adults.
The venue offers a classic camp atmosphere – simple, comfortable and full of charm.
Don’t miss out
The Queensland Family Camp is shaping up to be a truly special weekend – a time to reconnect with culture, language and each other in a relaxed natural setting.
Estonian Australians are invited to join the next Virtual Forum for Global Estonians titled “Home is calling!” (Kodu kutsub), hosted by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, 5 June 2025.
The program includes an impressive list of interesting talks, musical interludes, and importantly, a special video postcard from the Estonian community in Perth, which we’re excited about.
🕓 Broadcast at 16.00 Estonian time (you can also watch it later using the “join here” link below) 🕚 11.00 PM (AEST – Melbourne/Sydney/Canberra)
🗣️ The broadcast will be in Estonian with English translation provided.
The forum will be streamed live from the Arvo Pärt Centre and is open to Estonians and friends of Estonia from all corners of the world. It will explore themes: Estonian culture, heritage, music, literature and nature – key pillars that continue to connect Estonians across generations and borders.
Why is this important?
This year is a particularly special one for Estonia, marked by major cultural milestones:
The Song and Dance Celebration returns to bring communities together through tradition and performance.
The XIII Global Estonian Days (ESTO 2025) will welcome diaspora Estonians to reconnect in Tallinn.
Estonia celebrates the 90th birthday of composer Arvo Pärt, whose work has touched audiences globally.
And we mark 500 years since the publication of the first book in Estonian language that is a moment of great historical and linguistic significance.
The forum offers an opportunity to hear from inspiring speakers and cultural voices, and to reflect on what keeps Estonian identity alive no matter where in the world we call home.
Program
(All times below in Estonian time.)
15:45 – Channel opens 16:00 – Opening remarks by moderator Ave-Marleen Rei
Welcome address from Heidy Purga, Minister of Culture
Interview with Anu Kivilo, Director of the Arvo Pärt Centre
Stories from Estonians abroad
PRESERVING ESTONIAN CULTURE THROUGH SONG AND DANCE. This year, 64 Estonian performance groups from abroad have been accepted into the official Song and Dance Celebration.
Agne Kurrikoff-Herman, folk dance leader and editor at the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration Foundation
Hirvo Surva, choir conductor and Artistic Director of ESTO 2025
A GLIMPSE INTO THE ESTO 2025 YOUTH PROGRAM IN NARVA
MUSICAL INTERLUDE featuring compositions by Arvo Pärt
17:00 – …
VIDEO POSTARD FROM THE ESTONIAN COMMUNITY IN PERTH
500 YEARS OF THE ESTONIAN BOOK
SUMMER IN ESTONIA – WHAT’S ON? From exhibitions on exile literature to e-book recommendations and contemporary Estonian writing.
Jan Kaus, writer and essayist
SACRED NATURAL SITES IN ESTONIA
Ahto Kaasik, folklorist and sacred site researcher, board member of Hiite Maja Foundation
CLOSING REFLECTIONS WITH MUSIC
Indrek Laul, entrepreneur, pianist, and head of Estonian Piano Factory.
Estonians from around the world are invited to take part in the Global Estonian Diaspora Networking Day – a full-day event held on 1 July 2025 in Tallinn, as part of the XIII World Estonian Days (ESTO 2025).
Held at the Tallinn Creative Hub (Kultuurikatel), this gathering is designed for Estonian organisations, community leaders and individuals living abroad to connect with peers, share insights and challenges, and explore ways to build stronger global Estonian communities.
Whether you’re involved in education, culture, media, business or archives, the event provides space to meet others working in similar areas – a chance to exchange experiences, learn from one another, and spark ideas for future collaboration.
Event details
🕙 Tuesday, 1 July 2025 🕙 10.00 am – 4.30 pm (Registration and welcome coffee from 9.15) 📍 Tallinn Creative Hub (Kultuurikatel), Kursi 3, Tallinn, Estonia 🗣️ Held in Estonian, with simultaneous English interpretation available 💻 Select workshops accessible virtually
Why attend?
This is more than just a networking event – it’s a practical, collaborative forum to help shape the future of the Estonian diaspora. As part of the day’s discussions, participants will have the opportunity to contribute to the next Global Estonian Action Plan (2026–2029), currently being revised by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Your perspectives and experiences will help ensure the updated plan reflects the reality, goals and evolving needs of Estonians living abroad.
Choose your networking groups
When registering, you’ll be asked to choose two priority groups based on your interests or area of involvement:
Estonian schools and summer camps abroad Estonian houses, outdoor associations (campgrounds, etc.) abroad* Estonian diaspora media and communication networks abroad* Estonian archives, libraries and preservation of Estonian memory abroad Estonian churches and congregations abroad Estonian academics abroad Estonian sororities and fraternities abroad Estonian folk culture abroad (choirs, dance groups, theatre and ethnographic circles) Estonian artists and art collections abroad Estonian writers and translators abroad Estonian Chambers of Commerce and Business Diplomacy Advocates Abroad**
*Accessible virtually ** This group has a separate session beginning at 9.30 in the Trafo Hall: Global Estonians’ Business Network: Uncharted Resource for Estonian Companies. Separate registration required.
Program highlights
09.15 am –10.00 am – Registration and welcome coffee 10.00 am –10.45 am – Opening session in main hall*
Welcome from organisers and the Estonian Foreign Minister
Presentation of the Global Estonian Action Plan goals
Youth vision for the future
Introduction of workshops and facilitators
11.00 am –12.00 pm – Workshop Session I (based on group selection) 12.00 –1.15 pm – Lunch and informal networking 1.15–1.30 pm – Instructions for afternoon sessions 1.30–2.00 pm – Workshop Session II (based on group selection) 2.15–2.45 pm – Workshop Session III (open visits to all rooms)
3.00–4.30 pm – Closing session in main hall*
Presentations of workshop highlights
Open microphone for reflections
Final thoughts and wrap-up
In addition to the workshop sessions, attendees can also enjoy a mini-expo featuring Estonian institutions and organisations, and browse a small showcase of works by Estonian artists and writers available for purchase.
Tommy Cash’s “Espresso Macchiato” Eurovision hit breaks into Billboard Global 200 and UK Top 40 – and Estonian Aussies are here for it!
If you’ve found yourself dancing around your kitchen to a song about a very strong coffee lately – you’re not alone. Estonia’s most genre-bending export, Tommy Cash, has just stirred the global music scene with his wildly catchy Eurovision hit “Espresso Macchiato”, and the results are as hot as the drink itself.
After claiming a very proud third place at Eurovision 2025 (which, let’s be honest, many of us think should have been first), Tommy’s caffeinated banger has charged its way into the Billboard Global 200, debuting at #93, and cracked the coveted UK Top 40 at – wait for it – #40.
That’s right: a trilingual, ironic, avant-garde, meme-spiced anthem with a title straight off a Milan café menu is now one of the most listened-to songs on the planet.
An Estonian Aussie love affair
We might live over 15,000 km from Tallinn, but Tommy’s rise has been anything but distant to Estonians in Australia. Eurovision season saw early-morning watch parties pop up like mushrooms after rain – some gathered at pubs (looking at you, Adelaide), others in living rooms with flags, face paint and homemade kringel.
There was even a group of women in Geelong who turned their annual Eurovision get-together into a celebration of all things Tommy – complete with espresso-themed cocktails and sequinned tracksuits…well, sequinned tracksuits in spirit – in reality, it was fluffy winter pyjamas, thick socks, and steaming mugs of coffee. It is wintery weather in Victoria, after all.
And yes, even your Aussie coworkers who normally ask “Where’s Estonia again?” are now humming “Espresso Macchiato… baby let’s go!” by the watercooler.
Breaking records, not just expectations
Here’s the scoop:
33.7 million Spotify streams by May 29
A daily average of 1.85 million streams
Over 250,000 new monthly listeners in 24 hours after the Eurovision final
Currently sitting at 7.48 million monthly Spotify listeners – more than this year’s Eurovision winner JJ from Austria and runner-up Yuval Raphael from Israelcombined.
That’s more than a post-Eurovision buzz – it’s a global caffeine-fuelled phenomenon.
From absurdist art to global stages
Tommy Cash, known for pushing every boundary imaginable, has long been more than just a musician. He’s a walking performance piece, a visual provocateur, and a fashion icon with over 1.5 million TikTok followers (yep, more than there are people in Estonia). He’s performed at mega-festivals like Glastonbury, Sziget and Roskilde – and now he’s dominating streaming charts too.
And the fans? They range from Italian nonnas to Gen Z TikTokers. After Eurovision, Tommy reportedly gave 40 interviews in 3 days in Italy alone. Not bad for a self-described “anarchist from the East.”
In summary
Estonia’s weirdest and most wonderful musical export has brewed up a storm – and we’re drinking it in with both hands. From global charts to local hearts, “Espresso Macchiato” has become more than a Eurovision song. It’s a movement.
And if you haven’t danced to it in your pyjamas at 6am with a lukewarm coffee in hand, are you even Estonian Australian?
Want to listen to the song again? You know you do.
An Estonian film so wildly inventive, it kicks logic in the face and then politely blesses it, is heading to your screen this weekend. “Invisible Fight” (Nähtamatu võitlus, 2023), the high-kicking, genre-bending, Orthodox-monk-starring martial arts comedy, airs on SBS this Friday 30 May at 11:55pm and again on Saturday 31 May at 12:30pm. Estonian cinema really has entered its kung fu era.
So… what exactly is happening here?
Set in 1973 at the USSR-China border (as all great kung fu tales are), a young Soviet soldier named Rafael finds himself under attack by flying Chinese kung fu warriors who seem to have escaped from a martial arts remake of Woodstock. They’re dressed in black, their hair is long, and they’re blasting forbidden Black Sabbath music from a portable radio — because of course they are.
Rafael survives, has an epiphany (as one does after being ambushed by airborne hippie ninjas), and decides he too must become a kung fu warrior. Naturally, this spiritual martial journey leads him to… an Orthodox monastery. There, black-clad monks are training in secret martial arts — think Shaolin meets Slavic soul-searching, with a lot of roundhouse kicks and just a dash of humility.
A tale of discipline, love and unexpected uppercuts
Between grappling with a rival monk, awkward romantic tension, and the pursuit of inner peace via high kicks, Rafael embarks on a journey that is equal parts absurd, spiritual and action-packed. It’s like The Matrix, if Neo wore cassocks and occasionally broke into Orthodox chant.
Directed by Estonia’s own Rainer Sarnet, this surrealist cinematic experience is not just a comedy — it’s a punchline wrapped in a prayer robe doing a crane kick.
Featuring performances by Ursel Tilk, Ester Kuntu, Indrek Sammul, and more, the film speaks Estonian and Russian — with subtitles, but frankly, even without them you’d still understand the universal language of flying kicks and existential dread.
When to watch (and when to nap)
🕛 Friday 30 May at 11:55pm – the perfect time for a post-sauna cinema session 🕧 Saturday 31 May at 12:30pm – for those who prefer kung fu with lunch
Where? On SBS — yes, the same channel that shows cooking shows and Eurovision is now blessing your weekend with Estonian kung fu monks.
Warning: This film contains mature themes, spiritual violence, and potentially unexplainable cravings to attempt a flying kick in your kitchen. Viewer discretion (and strong ankle support) is advised.
Today, 26 May 2025, is the final day to purchase the ESTO 2025 festival passes – your ticket to an epic celebration of global Estonian culture.
XIII Global Estonian Cultural Festival ESTO 2025 (ESTO 2025) festival will take place across Stockholm (25–27 June), Narva (28–30 June) and Tallinn (1–2 July), culminating in the XXVIII Song and XXI Dance Festival in Tallinn (3–6 July).
ESTO is a global Estonian cultural festival that has united Estonians abroad since 1972, when it was first held in Toronto during the Soviet occupation. Originally created to preserve Estonian language, culture and identity, ESTO continues to play an important role in maintaining a sense of unity and belonging among Estonians around the world. In 2025, ESTO also aims to highlight the story of Narva and engage younger generations in this tradition.
Pass holders enjoy a wide range of benefits including free entry to key ESTO concerts and events, guided tours, transfers, and discounts on other tickets, ferry bookings and hotels.
Prices range from €60 to €200, with youth and supporter options available.
